5 Of The Best Senior-Friendly States To Spend Retirement

When seniors reach retirement, it's often a time to reassess their lifestyle and consider moving to a new location where the weather is warmer and the activities available are plentiful. They may want to reside in communities that have other seniors and in an area that is relaxing with a slower pace of life. Fortunately, there are several states that welcome retirees and offer a picturesque setting for retirement.

1. Arizona

Arizona offers a warm, but comfortable environment for many seniors and even has a lower cost on housing as the average home is $250,000. Between The Grand Canyon and quaint cities that include Prescott and Scottsdale, there's a rich history to the state that is ready to be explored and easy to call home.

2. Florida

There's a reason that Florida is considered the most popular state to find seniors enjoying life and retiring. Florida has plenty of historic communities and beautiful architecture with both coastal living and urban areas. The warm weather makes it comfortable to reside in the state, without taxes on personal income, property, inheritance, and gifts.

3. Utah

With low crime rates and incredible scenery, Utah is home to many seniors for its beautiful weather and plentiful amount of communities for retired adults to be a part of. The weather rarely drops below 60 degrees with over 300 days of sun to enjoy. The different mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the quaint towns and low-key environment. It's also known as a state with plenty of friendly people and plenty of nature to explore.

4. Idaho

For retirees who enjoy the great outdoors without much rain or humidity, Idaho is an ideal state to settle down in. The cost of living varies throughout the state in different communities, but accommodates different lifestyles and is affordable for those on disability retirement. The property and state income taxes are moderate with a six percent sales tax. It also is one of the cheapest states to live in with the median home at $183,000.

5. Virginia

The cost of living is substantially lower in Virginia than its neighboring states, making it an ideal place to settle down for those on a fixed income and living off of savings or social security. The state is attractive for seniors due to its warmer weather and one of the lowest crime rates in the country

Inexpensive Ways to Enjoy Your Retirement

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

For some, boredom begins upon retirement. But for others, adventures start once you’re done with all your career responsibilities. Retirement is the best time to explore new things you haven’t tried before and do what you have always wanted to do but just never had the chance to do so. While you may not be as physically active as you have been years back, there are still a lot of things that you can do to enjoy retirement without being guilty in spending too much.

Travel

Oh the feeling of being in a new place and discovering new sights! Try channeling the wanderlust in you and go somewhere you have always longed. There are a lot of travel packages you could find that offer good rates. It would be best to avail of special senior discounts or take part of guided group tours, which is so much safer. Just like anything else, set a budget for your travel and stick to it no matter how irresistible it can seem by researching and deciding exactly where you want to go and what to do when you get there.

Engage in literature

Remember how much time you had to spend in paper works and all other work-related things that you could only wish for a time off and snuggle with a good book? Well you now have all the time in the world to learn more about history or be in engrossed in a fantasy world. Whether it’s an original copy of a Jane Eyre novel or a downloadable ebook of a J.K. Rowling series, now is the best time for you to catch up on literature. The only thing you’ll spend on is the book itself and nothing more. You can even tap the writer within you and author a fiction novel or document an autobiography.

Be a volunteer

Instead of staying at home and watching whatever is on TV, try to take part in outreach programs that aim to help build the community and assist the needy. It may be an orphanage, a group of unemployed parents, or an environmental organization. You may not have known it yet but volunteerism may just be one of the most fulfilling activities you’ll ever do. Maybe you have been active in monetarily contributing to the less fortunate over the years, but being physically present to see the expression of organizations and individuals you have helped definitely feels different.

Stay Active

Stretch out your legs and move more often. Being physically active will dramatically improve your health and effectively prevents boredom. Consult your doctor to determine the best exercise for you. If you want to have more fun, you can try dancing! And if you feel like being a little competitive, get into sports. Choose one that is athletic yet relaxing, like golf. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran in the sport, you can always find the perfect gear designed for your skill level, which is offered in brands like Lamkin Grips. Spend some time alone or do it with a loved one. Either way, going outdoors and staying active will actually make you happier and healthier.


Author Bio

Amanda Smith is a blogger based in San Diego, California. She loves writing about health and wellness, technology and gadgets, travel and arts, and just about anything that tickles her fancy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy catching up on her favorite sitcoms with her yellow Labrador, Chandler Tribbiani. You can catch more of her works at her gang’s hangout, wordbaristas.com.