Is Your City on the List? The Best and Worst Places to Retire in the U.S.

If you're an older New Jersey resident thinking about retiring out of state, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll take a look at the best and worst cities to retire in 2023, according to WalletHub. We'll also discuss some of the factors to consider when choosing a retirement city, and we'll provide some tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.

There are many factors that make a city a good place to retire, including:

• Cost of living: A low cost of living can help retirees stretch their savings and live comfortably.

• Quality of life: A high quality of life includes factors such as a mild climate, low crime rates, and access to cultural attractions and recreation.

• Healthcare: Access to good healthcare is important for retirees, especially those with chronic health conditions.

• Taxes: Retirees on a fixed income may want to consider living in a city with low taxes.

• Proximity to family and friends: Many retirees want to live near their family and friends so they can stay connected.

In addition to these factors, some retirees may also consider other amenities when choosing a place to retire, such as access to golf courses, beaches, or hiking trails.

The best cities to retire in 2023

WalletHub has released its annual list of the best and worst cities to retire in 2023. The list is based on 45 key metrics, including affordability, activities, quality of life, and healthcare.

The top 10 best cities to retire in 2023, according to WalletHub, are:

1. Tampa, Florida

2. Scottsdale, Arizona

3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

4. Orlando, Florida

5. Miami, Florida

6. Casper, Wyoming

7. Denver, Colorado

8. Cincinnati, Ohio

9. Charleston, South Carolina

10. Atlanta, Georgia

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These cities all offer a combination of affordability, quality of life, and access to healthcare and activities. Tampa, for example, is known for its sunny weather, affordable housing, and abundance of beaches and golf courses. Scottsdale is another popular retirement destination, thanks to its warm climate, luxury resorts, and proximity to hiking and camping trails.

The worst cities to retire in 2023

The top 10 worst cities to retire in 2023, according to WalletHub, are:

1. Stockton, California

2. Newark, New Jersey

3. Bakersfield, California

4. San Bernardino, California

5. Detroit, Michigan

6. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

7. Riverside, California

8. Memphis, Tennessee

9. Little Rock, Arkansas

10. St. Louis, Missouri

These cities all rank low in terms of affordability, quality of life, and access to healthcare and activities. Stockton, for example, has a high cost of living, high crime rates, and a limited number of amenities for seniors. Newark is also a relatively expensive city with high crime rates and limited access to healthcare.

How to choose the best retirement city for you

When choosing a retirement city, it's important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Here are a few tips:

• Make a list of your priorities. What's most important to you in a retirement city? Is it cost of living, quality of life, access to healthcare, or something else?

• Do your research. Once you've made a list of your priorities, start researching different cities. Consider the cost of living, crime rates, quality of healthcare, and other factors that are important to you.

• Visit the cities you're interested in. Once you've narrowed down your choices, visit the cities you're interested in. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the city and see if it's a good fit for you.

• Talk to other retirees. Talk to other retirees who live in the cities you're considering. They can give you insights into the city's pros and cons.

Retirement is a time to enjoy life and pursue your passions. By choosing the right city, you can ensure that your retirement years are happy and fulfilling.

45 key metrics used to compile WalletHub's 2023 list of the best and worst cities to retire in:

• Affordability

• Activities

• Quality of life

• Healthcare

Affordability

• Cost of living index

• Median home price

• Median rent price

• Effective property tax rate

• State and local sales tax rate

• Grocery price index

• Healthcare cost index

• Transportation cost index

• Utilities cost index

Activities

• Number of golf courses

• Number of parks

• Number of museums

• Number of libraries

• Number of theaters

• Number of sporting events

Quality of life

• Weather

• Crime rate

• Air quality

• Population density

• Traffic congestion

• Diversity index

• Educational attainment

• Unemployment rate

• Poverty rate

Healthcare

• Number of hospitals

• Number of physicians

• Number of dentists

• Number of pharmacies

• Number of nursing homes

• Medicare quality star rating

WalletHub weighted the metrics based on their importance to retirees, and cities were assigned an overall score. The cities with the highest overall scores were ranked as the best cities to retire in, and the cities with the lowest overall scores were ranked as the worst cities to retire in.

It's important to note that no city is perfect for everyone. When choosing a retirement city, it's important to consider your individual needs and preferences.