Is AK likely the new retirement state? (incomes, living in)

[Metlakatla]

I've noticed some retired people buying homes on my island; but they tend to be summer homes. We also have quite a summer influx of old men who come up with campers and RVs. rent a space, and fish all summer. They have pretty good cocktail hours at their camps.

The cost of groceries itself might not deter retirees but the distance required to travel to buy them might, unless they moved to one of the cities.

My father was looking at a little condo in Anchorage last time he was up but honestly, I don't think that would be a good option for him year round. My concern would be with the freezing and melting that goes on for a few weeks during break up and freeze up that he would slip and fall down a lot.

I think there are some retirees coming up here but they tend to be the ones who have another home elsewhere to spend the winters at.

[RayinAK]

The fact is that unless one lives in the city as old age approaches, Alaska is not a very good place to retire, since hospitals and other services are few and far away if one lives in the bush.

[DannyL]

what's with all these " I really love Alaska and want to move there, but I want a warantee with the move..."

Try Nevada

[McCallister]

Originally Posted by DannyL

what's with all these " I really love Alaska and want to move there, but I want a warantee with the move..."

Try Nevada

I do like what Alaska has to offer, but in case you did not see the part in my original post, I said that "I know that every state will have this to some extent". Put simply, this means I know that I will never find a place that is absolutly perfect for what I want, but I was simply looking for a little constructive feedback from people on a few items I was curious about. How much do these warrenties cost and where can I buy them.

Thank you to you who have provided me with some feedback. I appreciate it.

[DannyL]

so, now we know you wish to know what we have to offer to you.
now, what do you have to offer, what can you put up?
this seems to be all about you and maintainig your own personal comfort zone.

have you ever been here for a visit?

[Marty Van Diest]

I heard today...with nothing to back it up, that Alaska will soon be the state with the most senior citizens per capita.

I do know that I sell quite a few homes to people retiring to Alaska. Most of them have always wanted to live here and are moving up while they still have their health.

[icarian]

McCallister,

No problem. Sorry about the threaddrift...we get that here for those "Outside", etc. Don't ask, not worthy of your time

[User 2]

Originally Posted by imbobbbb

alaska has the smallest percentage of senior citizens of any state,i dont see that changing

Where did you get that information?

I'd like to see that study, I don't think it's current.

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The answer to McCallister's question is an unqualified yes.

While many instate retirees used to leave the state, that has changed.

Now, there aren't so many leaving and there are more retirees and working seniors moving here.

All the projections I've read forecast more of the same growth and inflow of those age groups.

Low taxes, senior tax excemptions, etc. make it economically easier to stay here and collect their retirement without paying any income tax as they draw down on those investments.

In a 50 state comparison of tax burdens in state capitol cities, Juneau ranks second to the lowest, with Dover Delaware being the only other state capitol city with a lower tax burden on it's citizens.

Nevada (4.2 percent) and Alaska (3.8 percent) experienced the highest rate of increase in people 65 and older from 2003 to 2004.


Alaska has the third largest gain in super senior population in the US, only trailing Hawaii and Nevada. (a 33% gain from 2000 to 2004)

Nevada (4.2 percent) and Alaska (3.8 percent) experienced the highest rate of increase in people 65 and older from 2003 to 2004.

In 2006, Alaska had the second-fastest growing senior population in the country (ISER 2006)

The Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage reported recently that Alaska's age-65-and-older population grew by 60 percent from 1990 to 2000. That compares to just 12.5 percent growth in that population nationwide.

From 2000 to 2010, that population is expected to continue growing rapidly--61 percent in Alaska, compared to 15 percent nationwide. And another 55 percent growth in that age group is expected between 2010 and 2020 in Alaska.

Part of the increase is due to more Alaskans choosing to stay here after they retire. It's also due to retirees moving from other states, often to join children in Alaska.

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One thing to consider, and I hope all Alaskans take note:

Alaska has the highest nursing home cost at $196,735 per year (Louisiana has the lowest rate at $43,435.)

That 200,000 a year will have to be picked up by someone in the event that the 'retiree' can no longer pay.

All the extra services and necessary increase in health care infrastructure like more hospitals, etc are going to cost the state lots of money.

When you hear people promote Alaska as a retirement 'mecca', stop and think about what it will cost.......

...before you get excited about doing more of that same promotion.

Here's a Council on Aging Report from 2006:

http://www.alaskaaging.org/minutes/minutes113006.pdf
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[cobolt]

Yep....User is right. Read the report in the adn.

[stiffnecked]

I've seen quite a few retirees moving into southeast. Moderate climate.