Photo by Monica Silvestre from Pexels
If you live in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, or Ft. Lauderdale and you’re looking to retire in the US’s best places to retire – you’re already there. WalletHub has published a new report which analyzed how friendly the 150 most-populated U.S. cities and at least two of the most-populated cities in each state were for retirees across four criterion: affordability, activities, quality of life and health care. Of course, of the top 5 cities that WalletHub cited, four are in the great Sunshine State. Orlando’s overall score of 61.02 placed it at the top of the best-places-to-retire list. Tampa (60.17) was second, Miami (58.54) was fourth and Fort Lauderdale (58.31) was fifth. Charleston, S.C was third.
Those of us who live in Florida do so for so many reasons that we may sometimes take for granted or overlook. This study serves as a reminder that many retirees contribute greatly to our state’s prosperity because our state contributes greatly to them – something we all benefit from.
“Older adults (those 50+) make up 70% of the nation’s spending power. Older adults make great neighbors. They contribute to tax bases, local businesses, can often afford to maintain better properties, and are likely not to place high demands on public services,” said Dr. Joseph Coughlin of MIT’s Technology Age Lab. “Moreover, the local governments that aim to attract this emerging market of people, hiding in plain sight, implement improvement plans that are better for everyone — safer streets, pedestrian-friendly environments, shops and restaurants that add experience and fun — these may be premium attractions for older residents but enhance livability for everyone of every age,” he said.
Retirement is a long time, the remaining third of one’s life, and Florida’s cities provide many of the elements that retirees need to live well and prosper down the homestretch. The symbiotic nature of attracting the nation’s retirees to Florida’s cities, therefore, improves everyone’s wellbeing here. Let’s continue to make our state a home where we all live well – together.
See you on the trail,
Lisa
LMA Newsletter of 9-14-20
