Retirement sounds great. Our dream if you ask us early on a Monday (and at second hour, and third…). But have you ever stopped to think that not everywhere retirement carries the same weight? Well, it doesn’t, not all states are equally friendly to those who hang up the work uniform for good after a lifetime dedicated to it. And the most striking thing is that six of the ten worst places to retire are in the South, according to a recent study! Extreme weather, limited healthcare, and sky-high prices make retirement in these places harder than expected. The most surprising part? Florida and California, the supposed “retirement paradises” appear on the blacklist!!!
The report, conducted by Bankrate and shared by CNBC, puts on the table what many suspected: it’s not enough to have a pension, you have to think very carefully about where you’re going to spend the next twenty or thirty years.
Retiring here? Maybe not the best idea
Weather, even if it doesn’t seem like it, is a key factor. And in this case, it plays against. Southern states have been dealing with heatwaves, hurricanes, and floods for years. Texas, Florida, or Louisiana take the worst hit. In fact, Texas ranked 47th in the weather category, which already gives an idea of how uncomfortable it can be to live there in old age.
Then there’s access to healthcare, which in more rural areas is, quite simply, a problem. In states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Nebraska, getting specialized medical care can be complicated and expensive. And that, for someone retired and living on a fixed income, can be a pretty big stone in the shoe.
Florida and California are not what they used to be
For years they were the golden dream of many retirees. But now, the cost of living and issues in the healthcare system are making some think twice. Cities like Miami or Los Angeles have skyrocketing housing prices, and access to good medical services is not always guaranteed. Also, keep in mind that there are far more natural disasters in the South…
Not everything is black or white
Stephen Kates stated that numbers aren’t everything. There are people who, even with all the disadvantages, choose to stay where their children, grandchildren, or friends are. Because for them, climate or taxes matter, yes, but not as much as feeling accompanied.
And what about states like Wyoming?
Curiously, Wyoming ranks well in terms of tax benefits: it has no retirement or income tax. Sounds good, but then there’s the other side: it’s a very rural state, with limited medical options and almost no urban life. So if what you’re looking for is a place with some buzz or top-notch healthcare, it might not be for you.
Retirement is not a single stage
Kates proposes something very logical: think of retirement in phases. There’s a more active stage, another with less mobility, and a quieter one. That’s why maybe the ideal thing is to start in a place with some rhythm and, over the years, move to one that’s more accessible or comfortable. In other words: don’t marry the first idea. Travel, compare, and choose calmly.
Top 10 worst states:
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Kansas
- California
- New Mexico
- Florida
So, don’t hesitate, when it’s your time to retire, analyze all the factors you think could be key to spending your final years in the best possible way!