You’ve worked hard for several decades and the time has finally come for you to become a retiree. You’ve been looking at the best places for retirement all around the country, but you’re still not sure exactly where you would like to live. Moving to another state is a big step, so you should think hard before choosing the right destination for yourself. To help you do that, we’ve put together some useful tips and tricks.
Find a Financial Adviser So You Don’t Spend Your Entire Wealth
Before you even start looking at cities to move to, we suggest you hire a financial adviser. They will analyze your current financial situation and estimate what states you should consider. That is to say, if you haven’t been able to save up a lot, you probably shouldn’t think about moving to an expensive destination such as New York City. With a budget in mind, it will be much easier for you to choose your new home.
Finding the Best Places for Retirement
Simply pointing out a single state or a single city as the right place to retire isn’t exactly possible. This is because there are many different criteria that different people use to find the right place for themselves. For this reason, we’ve decided to choose five great states for retirees according to various factors.
Mississippi – the Cheapest State
If you are looking for an affordable place to move to, either because you want to have enough money to leave for your children or simply because your job hasn’t allowed you to save up much, Mississippi is the way to go. Also known as the Magnolia State, Mississippi was named after the river that runs through it. More than half of Mississippi’s area is covered in forest, which makes it a great choice for those who enjoy hunting or simply spending time in nature. Some great cities to live here include the capital, Jacksonville, Hattiesburg, a cultural and healthcare policy center, and Biloxi, an entertainment hub.
The income tax in Mississippi ranges from 3 to 5%, while the retail sales tax is 7%. Summers in Mississippi are long and pretty warm, while winters are much shorter and quite mild. The state has quite a long and lively history, as it played a key role in the American Civil War.
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New Mexico – Where Most People Retire
Next on our list is New Mexico. This is where, statistically, most Americans move once they’ve retired. It is home to over 2 million people, and the number keeps rising steadily. Oil production and tourism are New Mexico’s main industries. Some great cities to move to in New Mexico include Santa Fe, the capital, Albuquerque, the largest city, and Los Alamos, a great place for nature lovers.
As far as the taxation policy goes, the personal income tax ranges from 1.7 to 4.9%, but the state doesn’t collect sales, inheritance, or estate taxes. The climate of New Mexico is quite varied depending on the part of the state you are moving to. It has everything from mountains with an alpine climate to deserts with dry heat.
Florida – Made for Retirement
According to numerous media sources, Florida is the best place for retirees. A combination of warm weather, varied wildlife, a strong economy, and lack of a personal income tax policy have earned it this title. Florida offers a great city life in Miami, access to beaches pretty much wherever you are, but also a handful of smaller towns with a special feature of a more laid-back lifestyle. Some of these towns include Apalachicola, Anna Maria Island, Cedar Key, and Crystal River, to name a few.
Texas – Best State for a Peaceful Life
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to retire, perhaps buy a ranch and raise farm animals, there’s no better destination than Texas. Of course, there’s more to Texas than just farming. Big cities such as Dallas, Houston, or the capital – Austin. What’s more, Texas is known for its lax taxation policy, which, among other things, means there is no income tax.
Much like New Mexico, Texas belongs to multiple different climate zones. This is not only true for temperatures, but also for precipitation, humidity, and wind. The east and the north are known for regular thunderstorms.
California – a Lifelong Vacation
If you’re not necessarily looking for the most affordable option, and if you don’t consider yourself to be the kind of person to run a farm, perhaps California is the right choice for you. The Golden State is known for its year-round vacation vibe, amazing sandy beaches and sunny weather with the average annual rainfall of 21.44 inches. Some good choices of destinations in California would include Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Sacramento. However, keep in mind that this the second most expensive state to live in and rent a place, right after Hawaii.
Choose the Right Destination to Retire
Now that you know what the top five places for retirees in the United States are, it is time to choose the right one for yourself. You can go about doing so by writing down a list of your most important criteria, such as the cost of living, weather, or amenities, and rate cities according to those. You will soon end up with a list of your top picks for a new home.
You Can Always Change Your Mind
When choosing your new home, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Now that you’re retired, there is no job tying you down to a certain city. So if you end up not enjoying the place you picked, you can always move again. Whatever the case, remember to contact a reliable moving company with professional moving services. They will also offer help when it comes to packing your belongings for the trip or shipping your vehicle to your new destination.
