Florida Dominates Slanted Best Places to Retire List
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
November 26, 2021 — When it comes to lists of Best Places to Retire, one of the most consistent and “best” sources is US News. Their lists usually make sense, and rarely include bizarre choices in North Dakota or other places that don’t take into account that most retirees looking to relocate want to move to somewhere where winter temperatures are warm. While their new Best Places for 2021-2022 lists uphold their sterling reputation for the most part, the fact that they left off the entire western half of the country seems like a very serious omission.
Florida came out on top on both of their new lists this year – “Best Places” and “Most Affordable Places to Retire”. The Sunshine State garnered 8 of 10 spots on the Best Places to Retire list, and with 4 of the Most Affordable selections. Two of those Florida cities, Daytona Beach and Pensacola, made it onto both lists.
How they were chosen, along with our quibbles
Comments on "Florida Dominates Slanted Best Places to Retire List"
ella says:
When i view the towns and cities listed above, i don't feel safety is necessarily included. After the rioting and looting of 2020 and continuing in some areas until the present, to me, safety is high on my list of priorities. There are sections of Asheville that i don't think are safe anymore. Not sure about Chatanooga.
Bob says:
Port St Lucie is a 'best'? For what? If you like crowded unwalkable suburban sprawl, with no discernable "downtown", soaring real estate costs (plus $500+/month HOA fees if dare go to one of the zillion new gated communities), and 45 minute drives to go ten miles - the PSL is the place for you!
But it does have the Mets for spring training and minor league - Go Mets!
HEF says:
I don't understand Chattanooga or Pt. St. Lucie either! Chatt is okay if you're 20-something, outdoorsy and into climbing. We lived there before we retired and could not wait to move. Medical was mediocre at best.
A friend of ours is currently in Pt. St. Lucie and has been super disappointed! She has tried to reach out. There is no Senior Center, no referral system, no senior transportation and ZERO housing. To go by that, it seems to me that Florida hates old people!
I have to remember that these lists are fun to look at but NO ONE should retire and move, based on ANY of this information. GOOD LUCK!
Admin says:
Love your closing Comment HEF! These lists (even ours) are subjective, but fun to look at. Many are probably written by 20-somethings who think anyone over 50 is ready for the scrap heap.
Bart says:
I can't believe that The Villages, FL is not among the best places to retire. The activities are endless. The most golf holes of any community in the world, the most pickleball courts of any community, and over 3000 clubs and activities. There is live entertainment at three town squares 365 nights a year. For retirees, this is the place.
Brian says:
Looking at this list almost makes me not want to retire. Almost.
Diane says:
I totally agree with above posts regarding Pt St Lucie. I lived north of Pt St Lucie in a neighboring county for 50 years. Pt St Lucie is nothing but endless small shopping plazas along US 1. No actual “downtown” area, no beach of its own, just never ending traffic stop lights.. often thought as I drove through on my way south that people had to be crazy to live there and wondered how it ever made a retirement list!
Ron says:
Wouldn’t go near Florida for any reason! Over crowded! Terrible climate! Worse politics! Run far far away from the home of crazies
UncleAL says:
hahaha.....RON ....stay in LaLa Land...we don't need any sour pusses in Florida...you sound like YOU come from the "home of crazies" !
Marilyn says:
I don't know about you, but all of the recent and increasing hurricane activity in and around Florida is too much for me! Much more likely to cause loss of property and lives than the threat of earthquake, that continues to not materialize, in California!
Marilyn says:
Maybe if our country didn't pour trillions into endless wars that can't be won, some of those resources could be used to make retirement easier on so many seniors! With our puny social security raises, while we still pay much in taxes, while trillions are wasted, we are all getting ripped off!!
BillyBogey says:
Good Morning. Marilyn; well said. Straight Up!!
Maybe you should live in Canada & have a life with our generous Prime Minister who think's he is gifted & does wish to be on the World Stage!!
It seems Senior's, who helped Build this Country, Fought for this Country, Paid their way along the way in this Country are not in His Top 10!!
& ii is good thing to be let out on Day Pass the 27th. of every Month!!
Cheers.