Worst states for retirement

[Tom]

It's another list but good for discussion.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/the-worst-states-for-retirement/ss-AAgR39P?ocid=U147IDHP#image=16

[ITSec]

It's pretty simple to pick the best states for retirement - for most people, some key criteria are common.

Find a place with state income tax. You want no income tax when you have more income - and a solid tax base paid by others when you're on a pension. If there's no state income tax (like here in Nevada, Texas, and so on) then the state needs to get income from areas like sales or property taxes that might affect you more dramatically.

Speaking of that, look for places with low taxes on consumption and assets - i.e., low sales tax, low property tax (if you're a homeowner), low fees for vehicle registration, and such. These often are lower in states that have income tax.

Look for places where things like maintenance costs are low (this surprises some people). If you're a homeowner, maintaining your home as you age will become increasingly expensive since you'll be less able to fix things yourself. The same can apply to your vehicles and other possessions.

Look for a place where you enjoy the weather - all of it. If you must live near the coast, consider what the issues would be if you had to evacuate due to a hurricane or similar storm; it can be costly and certainly difficult if you are less physically fit and face the need to urgently try to save what you can. The same applies to areas subject to floods.

Finally, of course, pick an area where you have access to health specialists that can meet your needs. Many sunbelt, retirement oriented states have surprisingly poor levels of care available in specialties that are most often used by older people. Here in Las Vegas, a place that should be better, cancer care is limited and even things like a colonoscopy can be risky - we've had huge scandals among the few doctors/clinics providing some services strongly used by older patients. I wouldn't get a colonoscopy in this state (come to think of it, it's not on my list of favorite things anywhere!).

[oldbike54]

 I'm always suspect of these kinds of lists , as Mr Sec points out , many of the cheapest states have really bad health and social services for older folks . Didn't go thru the list , but in the last few years Oklahoma has ranked near the top , and then near the bottom rankings for places to retire . Simply depends on the criteria applied to the rankings . A small college town just East of me has in the last few years been rated as a top 50 small town to live in , and then in the same year been ranked as one of the worst small towns . Mostly it seems this kind of stuff is a way to justify salaries , and boost sales of something .

 Dusty

[Lannis]

It's pretty simple to pick the best states for retirement - for most people, some key criteria are common.

As someone who was part of my parents', aunts', uncles', and finally my own retirement plans, I've got a different view of it.

I don't know of anyone who sat down with a calculator and figured out where to retire.   In MOST people's lives, there are so many other considerations.

1) Family - Children, grandchildren; people want to be near them.

2) Health care providers and systems that they know and like.  Already know them, not find new ones at their (our) age.

3) Places they want to live.   You can run all the numbers you want, but living in a lightning-prone blazing hot sandy fever swamp like Florida would be a nightmare.   Some people just LIKE Massachusetts; they're used to it, they understand how things work even if they don't like how they work, and they'll "carry on as they are used to".

I've just never met anyone I know personally (although I'm sure that'll change in a few hours) that retired somewhere because of the taxes, culture, or whatever.   And I suggest that most of US are going to retire somewhere where the riding is good .... or the surfing, or the skiing, or something, since 60 is the new 40 ...

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! 

[jreagan]

Kentucky has an 6% income tax (and a sales tax) but excludes retirement income.

[Lannis]

I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! 

See, there's another reason you might pick somewhere; so you don't have to be around a bunch of shuffling old toots talking about their prostates .... !   Bet that's not in the "Top 10"!

Lannis

[Perazzimx14]

I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! 

Worst is subjective. I'll certainly be leaving the North East for middle Appalachia at some point. Southern WV or Western Kentucky seem like Valhalla to me. Friendly people, sparsely populated, beautiful country and twisty roads. What else could one want?

[lucian]

Forget about Maine. Touristers call it vacation land, residents call it taxation land. Along with electric costs, heating costs , snow removal ect. It's getting ridiculous.Then you get all the imports that want new schools , new this, new that and get on all the local boards and have there way with every tax dollar they can get there hands on.  Now you have a exponential property tax increases to look forward to every year. Our little town is now 16 million dollars in debt and they want to build a 6 million dollar fire station and a twenty million dollar drama center for the kiddies. F*&#k me gently!     

rant over

[sturgeon]

The best state for retirement for me is the state of Bliss.
Well, and the state of Yucatan in the winter.

[Steph]

I'd be happy to retire in a state of control, without others making decisions for me

[oldbike54]

 If I can figure out how to do it , Kenton OK , is looking pretty good . Population 17 , one road in , one road out , foothills of the Rocky mountains , Colorado and New Mexico a stones throw away . they even have a store , known locally as "The Merc" short for mercantile . There is a picture of Daniel Kalal's Guzzi on the main drag on Kenton's website 

 Dusty

[Tom]

I'm stuck here because the wife won't consider anywhere else.  I did consider Thailand, Mexico, Italy but that would include a huge garage sale. 

[Dean Rose]

If I can figure out how to do it , Kenton OK , is looking pretty good . Population 17 , one road in , one road out , foothills of the Rocky mountains , Colorado and New Mexico a stones throw away . they even have a store , known locally as "The Merc" short for mercantile . There is a picture of Daniel Kalal's Guzzi on the main drag on Kenton's website 

 Dusty

[oldbike54]

 Thanks Dean , although the second picture is of Boise City , I think . Boise City (Boys) is the only American town to have an aerial  bomb dropped on it , by mistake during a practice run , good thing it was a dummy 

 Dusty

[cloudbase]

Kenton:  population 17, three church congregations. . .

I made a gas and hydration stop in Boise City just over a year ago.  Not much happening there, though it brought back some memories of reading The Worst Hard Time.  Gotta go to swingin' Dumas, TX.

[oldbike54]

Kenton:  population 17, three church congregations. . .

I made a gas and hydration stop in Boise City just over a year ago.  Not much happening there, though it brought back some memories of reading The Worst Hard Time.  Gotta go to swingin' Dumas, TX.

Not much happening there, kinda what I'm looking for . Of course there is always Wheeless OK , just South of Kenton , memory says there is even less happening there .

 Dusty

[JJ]

My late father was born, worked, raised a family, and lived most of his life in upstate New York, (Mid-Hudson Valley / Dutchess County).  A beautiful place 6 months a year, but cold, wet winters, most of the time.

After he retired, he moved to Florida (near Tampa) with my mom and passed away there at age 93 .  He had 20 good years there.  I often asked, why Florida?  He said: "Sunshine and cheap living..."   I was far away in Arizona and my kid sister was in Florida, so I think that was part of it...

He used to have another saying: "If you have money, you can live well anywhere!"   He was quite the philosopher... :1:  Here I am with him on his 90th birthday....I miss him...

[rboe]

Several of us Guzzi guys were at a doctor's home looking at some bikes he was selling. He was doing a residency in Pittsburg for at least a year and wanted to thin the herd. He said if you needed critical health care move east. Not a fan of the east (too many people) but it made me think. Easier to stay healthy I think (especially if you have decent genes, but you can't control family).

Life is short so I'd like to move to the Pacific Northwest for my final third of my life. Diversity is nice.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  The worst is the great state of insanity.  Try not to go there.
 People there are very prejudiced against you just because you seem paranoid.

[Devildog]

Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.

[oldbike54]

Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.

 Could be , although that pic is gone now . Figured he pulled it from the Kenton site , and they have a couple of pics of Boise City for some reason . Long way from Guthrie to Kenton .

 Dusty

[Tom]

Thanks Dean , although the second picture is of Boise City , I think . Boise City (Boys) is the only American town to have an aerial  bomb dropped on it , by mistake during a practice run , good thing it was a dummy 

 Dusty

You're forgetting about Honolulu.  You hay have heard about the bombing there.  The start of WWII.

[oldbike54]

You're forgetting about Honolulu.  You hay have heard about the bombing there.  The start of WWII.

 True , except Hawaii was not yet a state .

 Dusty

[Tom]

Yeah, not a state but a territory and American.

[rodekyll]

Oregon was bombed by the Japanese during wwII -- and they weren't dummies.

West Richland, WA (just down the street from regular Richland) was a military site during the war, too.  The road out of town was called the "Bombing Range Road".  They got plastered several times by trainees with dummies.  They had to stop that when the Manhattan Project spilled over into Hanford.

Alaska isn't real good for retirement.  Health care sux, cost of living is hella high, and the weather isn't real arthritis friendly.  I threw my back out over the weekend, and unless I want to go to the emergency room, my doctor visit will be in October, about three weeks after I move out.  Two hospitals and two clinics, and between them, two doctors.

[Petrus Rocks]

I live in western NY.  We plan to relocate when my wife retires.  Taxes and cost of living are why.  We plan to stay east, go south but still looking for where. 

[oldbike54]

 So , of the places that got bombed , I do believe that based on cost of living , climate and readily available solitude , Kenton OK is looking pretty good .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.

Guthrie, the first state capital until it was stolen by Okla City, has been restored and is holding on.  I think the Blue Bell, where Tom Mix was bartender is open evenings and weekends.

I occasionally ride through there on my way to Mulhaul up old 77.  That's about 60 miles ride to 2 miles of twisties by the Cimarron River.

[Wayne Orwig]

What is this "retirement" thing?