Retirees Reshape Where Americans Live. Baby boomers fuel growth in retirement hot spots, new census figures show (beach, weather)
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I wondered "why in the world does the US Department of Agriculture keep track of so-called 'retirement counties.' I'll bet they have a few hundred employees doing it."
I think they are tracking economic changes in especially rural communities and what drives them. Many suburban counties were once rural and became such with economic expansion.
I think they are tracking economic changes in especially rural communities and what drives them. Many suburban counties were once rural and became such with economic expansion.
On one hand and on the other hand a formula for growth and economic development which is often sought out by those charged with regional development. Many cities in the rust belt would love to have such problems.
I think that staying put and not running off to a new location when you retire is a good idea. One has their connections, friends, doctor and car mechanic. Unless you dislike your location, of course. Some of our best friends have retired and stayed in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area, because it is home. But it is about personal choice.
And what you can afford!!!! Would love to live in NYC or SFO but I know I can't even afford parking there!
I could afford to retire in eastern MA but the main draw here has been working. Without working, it's an expensive and congested area where it's hard to make friends or find community (for me, anyway). Even if I paid off my house, the taxes are $6300/yr for a 2-bedroom house and go up a few hundred every year.
If I had any unusual medical problems, I would likely stay but will be getting out. I cannot stay here because it's close to medical mecca of Boston.
It depends on the zip code you pick in Eastern MA.
Below $10 per thousand: Pretty much all of the Cape and Islands. The NYC tourist/vacation home part of Western Mass near the Mass Pike. Westport. Dartmouth.
Inside the 495 belt? Yep. Congested and expensive. As soon as you can't reasonably commute to the Boston jobs, prices drop as long as you're not buying in the part of town where a vacation home buyer is shopping.
I have no insight into "where it's hard to make friends or find community".
Thank you for the info. I landed in a town due to the then-availability of small houses (actuallly former lake shack/cottages) and the convenience to my job in Belmont.
Things really picked up here over time, the cottages are mostly gone or rebuilt. Mine fell apart and I built a new house, and it was my dream house x10. I like the town overall, very green, safe, lake but socially I am still oriented to my former coworkers, who live all over the place. Schools rebuilt. Unpaved roads paved. New commuter rail station. A fairly common turn from formerly rural town to much more suburban.
I wouldn't move to another part of Massachusetts, given my dream house and property is so suitable. I could stay and pay the taxes. Just don't want to live in the area any more and found an area I have always liked, so am moving to SW Colorado after 26 years here in Littleton.
Nothing pisses me off more than a retiring state worker from up North somewhere, telling me how cheap things are down here, while they commence into turning the Town into the same place they left.
Or, you could be thankful that we are willing to spend our NY pension dollars boosting your local economy.
Or, you could be thankful that we are willing to spend our NY pension dollars boosting your local economy.
Governments in most cases love retirees with pensions and comfortable income levels. Tax revenues in without the need for social services like section 8 housing, food stamps. No kids so no need to build school seats. No working and travel during rush hours etc. Day time shopping and support for community activities.
Where south are you? I'm moving to WV when I retire. I don't plan on changing where I go though. I may even get into local politics so I can have a hand in keeping it as far from NYC-like as possible!
As a former West Virginian - you definitely don't have to worry about it being anything like NYC in the foreseeable future.
Perhaps an influx of retirees would be really good for the state though.
As jobs consolidate into fewer and fewer metro areas, older, incumbent homeowners in those locations can cash out and go back to small town America. I expect these trends to accelerate.
I think we all expected this to happen. I just thought most boomers would choose a warm climate to relocate to. (Like us) Can't believe how many move North to retire. (we had enough of that slippery stuff)
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