August 11 (Updated September, 2008)– So far 6 U.S. states have embarked on programs to identify certified retirement communities as part of their economic development plans. This article will provide a list of the certified retirement communities in those states.These states are all in the south - Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. In total about 70 communities have been certified (in West Virginia they are called “designated”, in Tennessee the communities are selected as part of a pilot program). More communities are being added all the time.
How successful are these programs?
The idea behind these programs seems sound. Set minimum standards that communities have to follow to make sure they are attractive to active adults in retirement, then generate publicity to steer retirees (and their fat wallets) to those towns. But it is difficult to tell how successful these programs have been so far. What is easy to say is that some states seem to be doing a better job of it than others. On some state retirement websites, for example, it is hard if not impossible to find a list of the certified communities for that state. The websites are not always available, not alwasy up to date, and the addresses change without warning.
The Lists by State:
Kentucky Certified Retirement Communities:
Kentucky has identified 8 certified retirement communities. Their website works well and has links to each community.
- Glasgow
- Danville
- Campbellsville
- Madison
- Maysville
- Murray
- Morehead
- Richmond.
Louisiana Certified Retirement Communities
The name of the program is “Redefine Life. Retire in Louisiana. Certified Retirement Community”. It is a program that recognizes places in Louisiana that the state substantiates as premier locations for retirees aged 55 and older. Recently 11 communities were chosen as certified retirement communities. Louisiana’s website is not always available. Louisiana’s certified communities include:
- Covingtong
- Crowley
- Lake Charles
- Thibodaux
- Jefferson Parish
- Landry Parish
- Natchitoches Parish
Mississippi Certified Retirement Communities
This state has done the best job of certifying towns - there are 21 of them. Unfortunately Mississippi’s website is very slow - you can find out the list of towns if you are willing to wait several minutes for the page to load. The program is run by the Dept. for Aging and Independent Living Retirement Communities:
Hattiesburg
- Aberdeen
- Booneville
- Brandon
- Brookhaven
- Clinton
- Columbus
- Corinth
- Laurel
- Madison
- McComb
- Meridian
- Mississippi Gulf Coast
- Nathchez
- Oxford
- Picayune
- Southaven
- Starkville
- Tupelo
- Vicksburg
- West Point
The Retire in Tennessee program has selected 9 communities to be part of its program. Those include:
- Chattanooga
- Crossville
- Paris
Texas Certified Retirement Communities
The Lone Star State currently has 15 certified retirement communities and regularly adds more. In our opinion Texas has done the best job with this program. Like several other states, their website is easy to use. But what sets them apart is the job the certified communities have done with their certification - they have sent out press releases, promoted their sites in online communities like Topretirements.com, and advertised their certifications on their in-house media outlets. Here are the 15 towns/counties:
- Lufkin
- Athens
- Nacogdoches
- Winnsboro
- Clifton
- Cuero
- Duncansville
- Harlingen
- Longview
- Lufkin
- Panola County
- Pittsburg
- San Augustine
- Shelby County
- Texarkana
West Virginia Designated Retirement Communities:
Six West Virginia communities have undergone an application process that ensures the community provides the resources and amenities required to be considered as a Designated Retirement Community. They are:
- Morgantown
- Bluefield
- Beckley
- Lewis County
- Summers County
- Nicholas County
More Links:
100 Best Retirement Communities
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