Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Why not split the difference? I live on the outskirts of a small(~30,000 pop) city with lots of healthcare options and other amenities nearby. There is some crime in the downtown area but not where I live, and the peace and quiet are wonderful
I vote for neither. I live in a burb in a major metro.
That would be my suggestion as well. Generally speaking, rent is going be less in a suburban area than in a city center. Of course suburbs are planned for people with cars, but one can look for an apartment or house that's walking distance from a shopping area anchored by a grocery store.
Living in a small town with no car has some issues. How does a person with limited income get to a far away city for medical care that's not available locally? I suppose if there's light rail or bus available that will take a person to medical care it might be an okay choice?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,279,384 times
Reputation: 57831
At age 71 and 70 we are perfectly happy in our small city of 65,000, Sammamish WA, where there are just two small strip malls, no big box stores, but a full hospital just 6 miles away in Issaquah. Low crime, quiet, but any amenities we may need just 5-6 miles away in either Issaquah or Redmond.
That would be my suggestion as well. Generally speaking, rent is going be less in a suburban area than in a city center. Of course suburbs are planned for people with cars, but one can look for an apartment or house that's walking distance from a shopping area anchored by a grocery store.
Living in a small town with no car has some issues. How does a person with limited income get to a far away city for medical care that's not available locally? I suppose if there's light rail or bus available that will take a person to medical care it might be an okay choice?
Well speaking for my area of living, there is a county service which will take seniors to doctors appointments about 60 miles away in Lexington or Cincinnati or locally. The service is free if you are low income or disabled or seniors can still use the service for a fee if they don't qualify for low income. The same service can take you shopping for groceries as well if disabled. Otherwise there is a bus service for local things, free to all seniors.
Kroger now has delivery here so that's another option for grocery shopping. It's a huge store with a very good variety of groceries and other things.
I haven't looked into it yet, but I've been told the same service will take seniors to the airport as well in either Lexington or Cincinnati.
Last edited by marino760; 12-04-2023 at 09:42 AM..
Well speaking for my area of living, there is a county service which will take seniors to doctors appointments about 60 miles away in Lexington or Cincinnati or locally. The service is free if you are low income or disabled or seniors can still use the service for a fee if they don't qualify for low income. The same service can take you shopping for groceries as well if disabled. Otherwise there is a bus service for local things, free to all seniors.
Kroger now has delivery here so that's another option for grocery shopping. It's a huge store with a very good variety of groceries and other things.
Home grocery delivery is certainly a game changer for carless folks.
Free or subsidized car service is a great idea for someone on a low income. Just as an example, Chandler AZ has a city-sponsored ride share program. The person hails a car on a phone app. It's $1 per ride for seniors and $2 for anyone else. No income test required to use it. Service area is limited, but it includes a large shopping mall, a hospital complex, city offices and library, and lots of other shopping/restaurants.
Home grocery delivery is certainly a game changer for carless folks.
Free or subsidized car service is a great idea for someone on a low income. Just as an example, Chandler AZ has a city-sponsored ride share program. The person hails a car on a phone app. It's $1 per ride for seniors and $2 for anyone else. No income test required to use it. Service area is limited, but it includes a large shopping mall, a hospital complex, city offices and library, and lots of other shopping/restaurants.
Since it's a small town, the free bus service here has one route but it will take you to several grocery stores including Walmart, the hospital, Dr. offices, the library, the community college, court house and city hall. It pretty much covers anywhere you need to go during business hours and weekends.
Best of all, the driver can stop at any intersection to let you off and on along the route.
Last edited by marino760; 12-04-2023 at 10:17 AM..
If you need a psychiatrist that should probably be your determining factor. If you don't drive and do not have a support network of people to take you places that is another minus of rural living.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
