Choosing the Best Place to Retire

The idea of retirement has changed dramatically in recent years. People are reconsidering the places that they want to retire and what kinds of activities, events, and even work are available in those areas.

The most popular destinations in the U.S. have been Florida, California, and Arizona. These states offer the ideal weather, golf, shopping and outdoor activities many seek for their dream retirement.

These are great places to think about, but because of their popularity over the years, the cost of living in these sunny states may be too much for some people to afford. Many are even thinking about retiring outside of the U.S. to places like Mexico or Puerto Rico. In comparison to most places in the U.S., these destinations offer the same dream retirement at a fraction of the cost.

You don t have to leave the United States to have an amazing retirement. Many places on the map get overlooked but have become very popular destinations for seniors.

States in the southern U.S., like North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, have become popular destinations because of the cheaper cost of living, while still providing the leisure and culture retirees are looking for.

Here are a few tips to help you find the right place:

Ask yourself what can you afford. This is the biggest question on retirees’ minds. First you will want to make sure you pick a town within your budget, keeping housing costs in mind. Ask yourself what kind of home you want to live in. A condo, apartment or a house? Then look at the cost and availability of each type of home in the area that interests you to see if it will fit your needs.

Are you still going to work after you retire? These days, the average baby boomer retiree will continue to work to some extent, whether part-time or by starting up a small business. Make sure the town you are looking into has a diversified economy to support whatever endeavor you choose to take in your retirement.

What is the weather like, and how important is that to you? Most people have dreams of retiring in the sun and enjoying comfortable weather all year long. Don t forget that in some places that are known for sunshine, summers can be too hot to be comfortable, especially for seniors.

How important is it for you to be close to home? Most retirees will want to stay close to their children and grandchildren. If you are looking into a place that is farther away from home, make sure you re close to an airport, so you can easily jump on a plane to see your loved ones.