FWIW The best and worst states to retire in 2023

[dalton99a]

https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/best-and-worst-states-for-retirement/

The best and worst states to retire in 2023, ranked
Published July 31, 2023

To move or not to move when you retire? That’s the big question.

Picking a place to retire is one of life’s most consequential decisions — and ultimately, a deeply personal choice. You may want to settle down by the beach or in the mountains. Maybe you prefer golf over cross-country skiing, or you just want to be near your kids or grandkids. With all these possibilities in front of you, you may not know where to start.

To find some objective answers to the where-to-retire question, Bankrate crunched a bevy of statistics on costs of living, public health and other metrics to create a comprehensive ranking of the best and worst states to retire in the U.S. We analyzed five broad categories across all 50 states: affordability, overall well-being, the cost and quality of healthcare, weather and crime.

The category that we weighed the heaviest was affordability, to reflect the challenges that so many Americans face in today’s economy. The housing market remains competitive, with high borrowing costs, expensive housing prices and low inventory. At the same time, inflation has rocked Americans’ wallets over the last two years, leaving many feeling behind on their retirement and looking for ways to stretch their savings.

It’s important to note our ranking is simply a starting point for making a decision. If you own a paid-off home in a high-cost area like Boston or Los Angeles, maybe affordability isn’t your priority. And, of course, not everyone likes the sweltering summers of the Sun Belt states.

[underpants]

1. Always dreamed of retiring to Iowa

Not.

[brush]

15. Exactly. 10 of the first 15 states are deep red, and two are border line.

They need to have a political climate category to warn people of states blue/red status.

[central scrutinizer]

18. They're affordable for retirees because working families with children

Don’t want crumbling schools and third world education. They don’t want a minimum wage stuck in 1972. Less competition for houses means lower home prices

[brush]

25. So those republican talking points you just listed are all right by you?

You don't mind living in a deep red state where women wanting abortion healthcare have to travel hundreds of miles to a blue state?

Come on.

[11 Bravo]

26. Wow, did we have a completely different take on scrutinizer's post!

I read it as a scathing condemnation of red state education policies and wage scales.

[brush]

29. I hope so, 'cause I've heard those taling points from repugs all the time about blue states...

Last edited Wed Sep 13, 2023, 04:03 PM - Edit history (1)

especially about big cities like NY, Philly and Chicago with large POC populations.

[Scrivener7]

33. Republican talking points? In what world?

[brush]

35. See post 29. I've heard these many times from magat pols running down big cities...

in blue states. If I misread your intent, I apologize.

[Scrivener7]

36. I think you did misread it but it wasn't my post, so I'm not the one to apologize to.

[brush]

37. You've never heard these talking points from magat pols before?

You'd want to live in one of those red, southern or midwestern states with the restrictive abortion laws?

[Scrivener7]

38. Read the post again. You misread it.

[brush]

39. I did. It's not clear the poster isn't advocating living in one of those red states for retirement.

[Scrivener7]

40. *sigh*

[brush]

41. You scoff but is it clear to you? It's kind of important to make your meaning clear...

and not assume everyone will get what you intend.

For instance, we both took the post entirely differently.

[Celerity]

46. it is clear they are talking about red states

you said

brush

15. Exactly. 10 of the first 15 states are deep red, and two are border line.

the poster then said

central scrutinizer

They're affordable for retirees because working families with children Don’t want crumbling schools and third world education. They don’t want a minimum wage stuck in 1972. Less competition for houses means lower home prices

In big urban areas housing is generally far from are affordable as there is a lot of competition, nor do big urban area generally have have low minimum wages stuck in 1972

as for K-12 education

the top 5 states are all blue

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education/prek-12

New Jersey
#1 in Pre-K-12
Massachusetts
#2 in Pre-K-12
Connecticut
#3 in Pre-K-12
Vermont
#4 in Pre-K-12
Illinois
#5 in Pre-K-12


the bottom 15 are mostly red or mixed

North Dakota
#36 in Pre-K-12
Texas
#37 in Pre-K-12
California
#38 in Pre-K-12
Arkansas
#39 in Pre-K-12
South Carolina
#40 in Pre-K-12
Louisiana
#41 in Pre-K-12
Oregon
#42 in Pre-K-12
Alabama
#43 in Pre-K-12
Mississippi
#44 in Pre-K-12
West Virginia
#45 in Pre-K-12
Nevada
#46 in Pre-K-12
Alaska
#47 in Pre-K-12
Arizona
#48 in Pre-K-12
Oklahoma
#49 in Pre-K-12
New Mexico
#50 in Pre-K-12

[brush]

48. I appreciate the use of the sarcasm gif if it is sarcasm.

That's not always clear.

[Celerity]

50. they were not being sarcastic, they were ripping red states IMHO

[brush]

53. Yours is a third take on the OP. Others have responded to me...

that it wa sarcasm I didn't get.

[Celerity]

56. well, the other posters are free to say what they think that poster meant

I explained the way I saw their post and gave my reasons why

cheers

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

44. And this is why DU has a sarcasm emoji

Because too many fail to pick up on it, even when it's blatant.

[brush]

47. It wasn't clear to me it was sarcasm as I've said. I've heard...

those tlaking points from magat pols many times.

The imoji is there to be used. I did apologize to the poster if I misunderstood.

I'm one of those who don't like being fooled by "The Borowitz Report" that hardly ever uses the sarcasm git until one is deep into the OP. "The Onion" is better at alerting.

[NowISeetheLight]

62. Equality Matters

If you are LGBTQ its important to find a friendly place to live. HRC puts out a great annual survey of states. If you're LGBTQ it's a good reference.

https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-scorecards

The Movement Action Project has a nice map. If you're LGBTQ I'd definitely avoid the red states.



Source: https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps

[NowISeetheLight]

61. IOWA

When I drove OTR semi in the 90s, IOWA meant "I Outta Went Around". Except for the awesome Walcott I80 truckstop (biggest) there wasn't much there.

[North Shore Chicago]

70. Lol! n/t

[Wingus Dingus]

2. Colorado...43rd in weather?

I get the unaffordable 41 score, but CO's weather, while sometimes unpleasant/extreme in either hot or cold, is generally sunny--at least on the Front Range. And not humid. The snow doesn't last long here in winter below 6500 feet.

[hlthe2b]

7. Maybe it will turn some of the snowbirds back to Florida. Fine.

[Wingus Dingus]

10. Fine by me as well. I might not stay in CO for retirement, but

no way will I go back to FL either--too many not-fond memories of breaking into a sweat even in the early mornings in that soupy air.

[Orangepeel]

42. and Mississippi is 7!

who ever made this ranking thinks humidity is a plus

[Scrivener7]

3. I am very happy living in one of the "worst." You couldn't pay me to live in most of those "best."

[beaglelover]

52. I'm with you. Perfectly happy to be retiring in the great state of CA!

[paleotn]

4. The reason those "top" states are affordable? Few want to live there.

I’m not going to Mississhity much less retiring there.

[Renew Deal]

5. Looks like Delaware is the true #1

Affordable, decent weather, east coast sensibility

[peggysue2]

55. My husband and I moved to Delaware in late May

We're enjoying it. Great neighborhood in the Wilmington suburbs, low real estate taxes, no sales tax and tax friendly to retirees. We would have easily bought a home in PA had we been able to find one to accommodate us (my husband can't take stairs anymore) and/or one we could easily afford. We didn't want our last house to bleed us dry.

So, we moved to #2 on the list. Seems we moved just in time because the house next door sold for $65,000 more than we recently paid. Had a number of nice updates. But still.

Just happy we left Tennessee to be honest. I like being closer to family and old friends.

[hlthe2b]

6. Public Health? Yet they rank Mississippi (50th on most indicators), WV and Missouri highly?

Bullshit.

[dalton99a]

9. I suspect they mean healthcare for retirees, not the working-age poor

[Scrivener7]

34. My brother is a retiree in one of those "best" states. The healthcare

is abysmal. He had a fairly common issue but had to wait ten days for treatment I'd have within hours in New York. The reason was that the one single doctor in his county who treated it was on vacation. My brother thinks it's because of "socialism."

In reality it's because doctors don't want to live there.

And btw, the doctor did a piss poor job of treating it. He's practicing in that medical desert for a reason.

[MOMFUDSKI]

8. I just talked to a woman at the airport

on my way home to Florida and she said her parents left Florida and moved to Delaware! 4 seasons but not real harsh winters. Looks like they did their homework.

[Freddie]

11. We are #7!

Lived in Pennsylvania all my life and can’t imagine moving someplace else at my age. Also there is no PA state tax on pensions unlike most states. We’re in a good area (Philly burbs, not Pennsyltucky) and everything is nearby.

[DFW]

14. I've been to the Philly burbs a few times

Gotta admit, it did seem pleasant there. I lived in West Philadelphia 5 years (college), so I have a natural aversion to the place, but when you're in college, studies and social life take priority over the surrounding suburbs, especially if you know no one there.

[DFW]

12. IF I ever retire, and IF I move back to the USA to do it

I will NOT be relying on some table that ranks West Virginia, Missouri and Mississippi as the 3rd, 4th and 5th best states to retire to. My tastes run more to absolutely awful places like Massachusetts, where I don't even own a home, or maybe even (horrors!) New York. The west coast of Oregon? Only been there a few times, but it seemed nice. I have been to West Virginia, Missouri and Mississippi, too. They seemed less nice.

[unblock]

13. West Virginia is 3rd, with the absolute worst healthcare??

Clearly they're overweighting affordability.

Retiring to a place with abysmal healthcare is pretty damn stupid.

[Midnight Writer]

17. Yeah, along with Mississippi and Alabama. Affordability is nice, but should be one factor of many.

[mitch96]

16. If you do a search for "best places to retire" the info is all over the map.

Are you are talking money wise? That's one list. Liberal places? another list.
Warm weather? another list. Good medical care? go pick one..
Pick your poison then pic a list.
m

[ProudMNDemocrat]

19. I'll take Minnesota any day.

Good quality of life, plenty of cultural stuff, good Healthcare access, WATER, etc. I can tolerate the Winters here.

[indigovalley]

67. Agree from another Minnesotan

I'm surprised we ranked in the middle here. Other ratings sites rate us much higher due to lower cost of living and world class healthcare. We do tax Social Security but I think that was modified by the state legislature this spring.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

68. Having traveled all over the country over the years and parts of the South..

I compare them to Minnesota for overall Quality of Life(Standard of living), Wages earned, Infrastructure, Education, quality of housing construction, taxation, Services, etc.

We do pay higher taxes here in Minnesota, but we also have the nicer things many states do not have. I now live in Eden Prairie. Right across the street from the EP Mall. Everything I need is within walking distance to shopping, my main Doctor, the health club, major thorough fares, Pharmacies, eateries, etc. I just wish there was a JoAnn Fabrics in Eden Prairie for fabrics and sewing supplies. There are places to walk, Parks, safe areas, clean streets, the Hennipen County Library, and more.

Minnesota Legislature under DFL leadership, has done a great deal of investing in this state to make it one of the top states to live, retire, as well as do business in. There is always road construction going on in and around the Twin Cities. The Blue and Green Lines are helpful and affordable for major events in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota provides great services that many states lack. Minnesota education system ranks up there due to our tax structure. Now kids in grades K through 12 do not have to worry about not having the money to afford lunches.

There is still much to do going in the right direction.

[we can do it]

20. Number 2 beats 39 by a mile.

Healthcare pretty pathetic though.

[budkin]

21. Laughable

West Virginia #3?? CROFL

[mopinko]

22. wtf does quality/affordability of health care mean? how is illinois 34th?

holy moly. we have more than a few of the best hospitals in the country, esp in chicago.
we have a (afaik) great public hospital in cook county, lurie childrens, and several university systems, all of which do a huge amount of free care.
cook county jumped out in front of the aca, and started an hmo that was free to the poor. free.
the medicaid system is generous, too.

is the sticker price of a new hip at northwestern high? yes. does that dictate who gets a new hip? no. no it does not.

this is just bogus. show your work whoever did this.

[Cadfael]

23. We're happy in Illinois

[MissB]

24. I just can't imagine moving for retirement

I know lots of folks do that! My dad moved from one corner of the country (Washington state) to Florida to retire.

I would not move. Unless my house burns down or gets destroyed in an earthquake, this is where I’ll live until I cannot.

[NowISeetheLight]

27. Good One

#5 Mississippi... 49th in Healthcare. But old people don't need healthcare so I guess that's OK.

[11 Bravo]

28. I like it just fine here in 16th ranked Virginia.

And if Northern Virginia could be ranked separately, we would be even higher.
Traffic can be a bitch, buy one learns to deal with it.

[Hortensis]

30. Boy, did we blow it not checking out Iowa. Quoting Underpants, not.

Though I'm sure it's lovely in spring, etc., and many live great lives there.

This rating subordinates all other qualities that contribute to good living to the ability to purchase the typical detached family home that's become the "American Dream." At my age and having raised a family, what I've learned makes me believe that's an extremely bad tradeoff, often even horrible.

And it's why the rankings are so bizarre, NY with wellbeing rank of 4 at the bottom, WV with wellbeing rank tanked at 50 but ranked at the top? Not that I trust those judgements either.

Wonder if new-generation AI was used to compile this, btw.

[Kaleva]

31. Doesn't look like they took climate change into account

[ITAL]

32. For what it's worth

Everyone I've ever known from Iowa (maybe half a dozen folks) loved it there, but moved because there's not exactly a lot of jobs there other than farming. However, they all seemed to want to move back there when they got older.

*shrug*

I've never considered moving to Iowa, and I doubt this will make me change once my wife and I do retire. I'm sure it's pretty there - it's one of the handful of states I have yet to visit though so I can't say.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

43. The reason the most affordable states rank so highly

Is because most decent people don't want to live in them.

I'm sure West Virginia has its good points, but those are for sightseeing, not for living there.

[roamer65]

45. I'm definitely staying in Michigan.

[honest.abe]

49. This is bogus because it rates affordability as the highest factor.

And the reason those highly ranked states are so affordable is because most people dont want to live there for numerous reasons.

If affordability is the main factor then retirees should move to Mexico or the Philippines or Portugal.

[GopherGal]

58. Affordability and weather

I'm tempted to (but ultimately probably too lazy to) take their dataset and test if their "wellbeing" rating is basically correlated to weather.

[honest.abe]

59. From the article: "The category that we weighed the heaviest was affordability"

Weather in Iowa is sorta crappy... imo.

[GopherGal]

63. I thought that referred to the overall ranking...

I was noting that their "well being" rankings seemed suspiciously similar to their weather rankings. (Something I often notice when I see X or Y magazine's rating of top 10 retirement communities. They usually seem to boil down to "where can I live cheaply enough and have good enough weather that I can play a lot of golf?&quot

But also being too lazy tonight to read the whole article...

[honest.abe]

64. Oh ok understood.

[Arthur_Frain]

51. Affordability be damned.

I live in the state that’s dead last on this list. You couldn’t pay me enough money to live in any one of those top 10 states.

Things like this are so subjective it’s silly to state that there’s a best or worst place out there unless you’ve tied in a specific metric you’re using to measure.

[beaglelover]

54. Why does Alaska have such a bad crime score per this survey?

[Arthur_Frain]

57. Sexual abuse is probably our poison of choice.

If it’s domestic violence, all those long dark winter nights cause problems. Cabin fever.

But I have a home I’m living in in one community, a home I’m building (for over a decade) in another community that I want to move to completely within a year, and a cabin in the woods. Never experienced any break ins or vandalism.

[Xolodno]

60. My wife and I have the "retirement" talk after our trip to Egypt in a couple of months.

In five years I can retire, but I probably won't immediately as I will have nothing to do, and that's not a good thing for me. Add to that, we aren't even sure if we want to stay in the USA. But if we do, we are certainly leaving SoCal to either Oregon or Nevada....well, those are our two primary, that list may get larger.

[Mz Pip]

66. I'm retired in California

because that’s where I’ve lived for over 50 years. The numbers on climate, health care and well being are pretty good. What screws it is affordability.

The rest of my family live in New York. Affordability is dead last.

[Xavier Breath]

69. Horseshit. So, so much horseshit.

You could throw darts at a map and do a better evaluation.