Phoenix ranks at the bottom for retirees? (Tucson, Mesa: insurance, crime)

[popwar]

https://amp-azcentral-com.cdn.amppro...F8510407002%2F

[Jimrob1]

Believe me Florida is no retirement haven anymore either. It was once but times change. Notice how the article is pushing Florida. Florida is an extremely overcrowded Peninsula and that is an understatement. It is poorly developed with nonstop development, yet a serious lack of infrastructure. This song and dance rating in the article was probably based on No Income tax and no snow to deal with. Florida is no longer cheap and the add on cost to live here is a big concern for some retirees. The cost of Insurance itself can price a retiree out of this state. Not to mention the substandard medical care and access to Specialist in several regions of Florida. Or the constant yearly threat and stress of violent storms.

Yes Arizona has its problems no place is perfect. However be careful letting articles steer you from one place to another. The only best place is the place that fits our own personal needs. Not what articles think is best.

[KurtAZ]

I don't know...my parents retired to PA. My In Laws are considering TN. Maybe the warm weather/sun belt states getting over crowded is becoming a factor.

[exit2lef]

Phoenix has long been stereotyped as being full of retirees despite having a median age lower than the rest of the nation and many cities perceived as younger. Maybe articles like this will finally calibrate image with reality.

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

I don't know...my parents retired to PA. My In Laws are considering TN. Maybe the warm weather/sun belt states getting over crowded is becoming a factor.

There is reason why people retire to warm states. As you age the cold makes you physically miserable. I live on the east coast right on the PA line. I once considered FL, but the humidity and hurricanes made me rethink that choice. AZ with mild winters and low humidity made my choice easy. Yes, it has red hot summers, but I can deal with that or simply vacation in Arizona's higher elevations during summer. And, the dry desert agrees with me physically. I was amazed of how my aches and pains disappeared.

[Ponderosa]

Phoenix is too crowded for retirees now. It is nothing like it was back when they put in all those trailer parks in Mesa for retirees. Sun City is now overpriced and out of reach for anyone not coming from a high cost of living area where their home sold for more than they cost here. Crime is rampant everywhere these days.
Outside of Phoenix, though, there are still a few places that might be desirable. Yuma?

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix is too crowded for retirees now. It is nothing like it was back when they put in all those trailer parks in Mesa for retirees. Sun City is now overpriced and out of reach for anyone not coming from a high cost of living area where their home sold for more than they cost here. Crime is rampant everywhere these days.
Outside of Phoenix, though, there are still a few places that might be desirable. Yuma?

I imagine your right. Overpriced Phoenix Metro does make it out of reach for many retirees.I was amazed at how costly the Sun Cities have become. Yet I bet they find buyers quite fast. The less fortunate retirees start looking for other areas that are cheaper. Unfortunately one of the problems that frequently comes up with cheaper is the Medical. I've learned all to well how not living with adequate Medical nearby, is like as I get older now. Especially when there is a serious lack of Specialist or Appts available nearby. It's no picnic and quite scary. So cheaper for me turned into a serious concern in regards to lack of. As one gets older no one needs a 100 mile or more each way trip to Specialist.

Retirement today seems much more difficult than my parents time. Then again they just stayed where they were, and didn't go trotting off to the sunbelt looking for cheaper warmer retirement.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Greenvalleyfan

There is reason why people retire to warm states. As you age the cold makes you physically miserable. I live on the east coast right on the PA line. I once considered FL, but the humidity and hurricanes made me rethink that choice. AZ with mild winters and low humidity made my choice easy. Yes, it has red hot summers, but I can deal with that or simply vacation in Arizona's higher elevations during summer. And, the dry desert agrees with me physically. I was amazed of how my aches and pains disappeared.

Understood and agree but my parents are in their 70s/80s and opted to move from the Southwest to PA as it was more affordable and not as hot. My In-laws are in Payson and considering moving to TN as Payson is getting too expensive and crowded as well. Weather may be a factor but not for everyone.

Of course there are still areas that would make sense for retirees if not the Metros (Phoenix/Tucson). We have had a few family friends move to Sierra Vista and Casa Grande. My parents were in Camp Verde and Litchfield Park for a while...I don't know why they decided PA outside of affordability and natural beauty. I think they are going to freeze.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Understood and agree but my parents are in their 70s/80s and opted to move from the Southwest to PA as it was more affordable and not as hot. My In-laws are in Payson and considering moving to TN as Payson is getting too expensive and crowded as well. Weather may be a factor but not for everyone.

Of course there are still areas that would make sense for retirees if not the Metros (Phoenix/Tucson). We have had a few family friends move to Sierra Vista and Casa Grande. My parents were in Camp Verde and Litchfield Park for a while...I don't know why they decided PA outside of affordability and natural beauty. I think they are going to freeze.

I am tempted to move to a colder clime myself. I spend my summers on a waterfront property up near the Canadian border now and coming back here, even in October, is thermal and visual shock. Phoenix has much to do for people who are into going to restaurants and such and great medical as poster above finds important. But it is a tough place to live once you get past the active retirement years with traffic and the congestion. Sitting in the rocker staring out the picture window at a frozen lake in winter seems oh so much more peaceful than dealing with a freeway closure.

[hikernut]

Two of the formerly big positives no longer apply for lots of people... modest cost of housing, and respite for people with respiratory problems. An aunt and uncle of mine stopped snowbirding in Mesa because his lungs couldn't take it here.

It works for some people. One of my wife's co-workers from Colorado retired in Gilbert. She wears a jacket whenever the temperature drops below about 80 F, so she loves it here. I find it more or less uninhabitable for 3-4 months of the year. Different strokes...