At Last - A List of Certified Retirement Communities

Updated December, 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 over 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. Typical standards require affordable housing, recreational opportunities, medical facilities, and transportation. Most of the states offering these programs are already low-tax states, an obvious attraction for many retirees. 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 marketing their programs 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 always up to date, and the links change without warning.

Critics of certified retirement programs warn that retirees should exercise caution when evaluating claims from certified retirement communities. Paraphrasing what one critic said in an AP article, just because the town welcomes people over 55 doesn’t mean you should move there. Sometimes medical facilities or other amenities like senior centers haven’t been built.

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 certified a long list of towns - there are 21 of them. Unfortunately Mississippi’s website is very slow and they often change the url of the site - you can find out the list of towns if you are willing to wait several minutes for the page to load or search for it. 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 22 (and counting) 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 22 towns/counties:

- Athens
- Duncanville
- Lufkin
- Nacogdoches
- Winnsboro
- Canyon
- Clifton
- Cuero
- De Kalb
- Gun Barrel City
- Harlingen
- Longview
- Lufkin
- Odessa
- Palestine
- Panola County
- Paris
- Pittsburg
- San Augustine
- Shelby County
- Texarkana
- Tulia

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
More articles about retirement