With Baby Boomers retiring in droves, many are looking for the best places to live after they hang up their work boots.
The Washington Economics Group used survey data collected by Mason-Dixon's polling of 1,000 Americans between the age of 47 and 65 to determine what boomers think is most important when selecting a post-retirement locale.
Using those preferences, which included a warm climate and relatively cheap housing prices, the Economics Group compiled a list of ten cities that best suit the needs of those close to leaving the workplace.
The list is significantly different from one compiled by Forbes last year, though southern cities still reign supreme in both lists.
Click through the slideshow below to see which cities made the list:
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Boomers should take heart knowing that what makes their generation unique could make their senior years healthier and more enjoyable than they might expect them to be.
Asheville, NC should be at the top of the list - has been no. 1 on many lists of top retirement locations. It's in the south but not hot day in and day out in the summer like the rest of the south. Our elevation keeps us cooler in summer with cool nights rather than the AC going 24/7. The lush green of the mts. sure beats the dry desert of the SW and the arts are as big, if not bigger, here than Taos, etc. We ended up here before retirement and now that we are retired we plan to stay. But, if your children/grandchildren weren't closeby, we would move near them. Because, you know, sooner or later, as you age you need your families. Does not make sense to move far away from them.
sonjadr: Asheville, NC should be at the top of the list
I grew up in NYS anda CT, I've lived in New Mexico for over 13 years and love it. We have a mix of cultures, great food...oh the green and red chile, lot's of history and nature abounds right outside or bordering all the major cities (not that we really have a major city, except for Albuquerque, where I currently live). Santa Fe is great if you have the money, Taos is gorgeous but no doubt winters can be harsh. There are many smaller areas and towns that are quite livable and affordable.Uh oh, I better shut up, too many people may move here.
MsModerate: I grew up in NYS anda CT, I've lived in
I live in Northwest Florida and have for the past 30 years...all I can tell you is ALOT of POOR people have moved here and it's become a welfare state. Crime is up and the neighborhoods are turning in to junkyards with the cars up on blocks with the tires off.....or you have exclusive neighborhoods right next to them with guard gates out front. Florida is kind of the trailer park meca of the world. When I retire I'm moving AWAY from here...who wants to live where people are all over 60?
Dontneedtoknow: I live in Northwest Florida and have for the past
My Retirement spot is in Florida with a Reason... I have no Family on the Eastside of the Mississppi River... No FAMILY on the eastside on the Mississippi... I'm going to be retiring myself along the Atlantic Coast line in Florida.... So where will it be around??
MIAMI?... JACKSONVILLE?... ORLANDO?... or somewhere in the middle of all of them... LOL
LSULinebacker64: My Retirement spot is in Florida with a Reason... I
Atlanta ? No way ! The crime & traffic rule that city out. Belize is nice, great climate, virtually no taxes, very low crime rate and only a short flying time to Fla. This may be a good time to think about getting out of the USA.
rockymtn1500: Atlanta ? No way ! The crime & traffic rule
I totally agree with the crime in the U.S. It's gotten worse and people are desperate. I live in Florida and people here are all drugged up and broke. I think the best thing to do is to move out of the country if you want to retire with some kind of dignity and purchasing power.
Dontneedtoknow: I totally agree with the crime in the U.S. It's
Last time I was in Atlanta back in 1997 it was already run over by black thugs. My friends would tell me about how they'd get carjacked practically every week by someone standing in the bushes next to the stop signs. I saw gas stations there totally enclosed with chain link fencing with only a bulletproof money slot to put your gas money into.....it was like a jungle there. I saw the swat team twice in action surrounding a ghetto house with their armoured cars.
Dontneedtoknow: Last time I was in Atlanta back in 1997 it
Lots of retirees in San Diego, California..no threat of hurricanes, mild weather year round and hardly any earthquakes that anybody feels. IF it weren't for the high cost of living, San Diego is awesome. Have lived here for 25 years. I'd move out of the country probably to the mediterranean somewhere, like along the Amalfi Coast.
arose4yu: Lots of retirees in San Diego, California..no threat of hurricanes,
haing lived in Atlanta for about 20 years I was stunned to see it on this list. Atlanta has bad crime, terrible traffic, NO culture and major reverse racism issues. If your desire is to live in a heartless, conservative area full of stip malls and churches, cheap housing because it's so far from everything, than an Atlanta surburb may be your preference.
jimmcph1: haing lived in Atlanta for about 20 years I was
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Posted: 04/17/2012 3:18 pm Updated: 04/18/2012 9:41 am