Sheepdip

Might be of interest some of us

http://www.aarp.org/work/retirement-...irement.2.html

Bob

Interesting list.

Seem's odd though, because for MA, there's a lot of fuel assistance for the elderly and what not, plus food and clothes aren't taxed and if you're not working, the high income taxes don't really affect you.

Up in Maine, there are loads of really nice retirement homes and communities and really great facilities for the elderly. The climate is a bit cold in winter, but only really bad if you're north of the mid point, Augusta area.

Illinois also doesn't make sense, if you're retired and not working, who cares what the unemployment rate is like if it doesn't affect you?

I'd have thought RI might have been higher, just on having one of the most corrupt governments :/

robin1234

Maine has a harsh climate?? It is a bloody sight warmer in the winter in Maine than where I live, northern New York State.

Ethelred_the_Unready

Floriduh

If the heat or the reckless drivers don't kill you, the governor certainly will!

Sally Redux

What an extremely odd selection and reasons given. Unlikely that the factors would hold true for the whole state, then some are economic but you also get "Ohio - low life expectancy".

Ethelred_the_Unready

Providence is a nice city Bob. I'd live there.

Ethelred_the_Unready

Joe the plumber is from Ohio. I rest my case.

robin1234

Exactly - PA too, "tough economy," so what? With my snout in Uncle Sam's trough, the tougher the better!

Ethelred_the_Unready

What if you earned the right to munch in Uncle Sam's trough?

robin1234

Well I have earned the right. Pension and SS and Medicare in place, so long as China and others continue to buy US debt I should be fine whether in PA, FL or wherever else I choose to live...

WEBlue

I agree. Bizarre reasons.

We've house-hunted in several towns in RI, and the property taxes were substantially lower than the town in CT where we live at present. Property taxes vary quite a bit by city/town, anyway, but they seem definitely lower overall in RI than in NY/NJ/CT. So I don't really trust this list.

jeffreyhy

Thing is, a significant number of retired people need to continue work at least part time in order to make ends meet. They're 'retired' only from their previous job or career.

Regards, JEff

jeffreyhy

States, counties, and cities need to get their money somewhere. If an area has low property taxes it may have high sales or income taxes. Or it may not provide the services that its citizens need.

Don't focus on just one aspect such as property taxes, look at the 'totality of the circumstances' and how the different factors mesh with, or grind against, your own personal circumstances.

Regards, JEff

Anian

I was expecting Washington State to be on that list because it has no income tax (your income will be lower) but high sales and property taxes.

Of course, that is just financially better - the best place to really be is where you are happiest.

Jan Alaska

I can sort of understand Alaska being on that list, except the high cost of living is offset by no state income tax, little or no sales tax (0 in Anchorage and Fairbanks, 2% here in the Matanuska Valley) and for those who qualify no property taxes for over 60's.
Michigan stumps me a little, what does the poor economy have to do with folks who are retired? they more than likely won't be working so that doesn't apply, property prices and consequentially taxes are low and the cost of living is realistic.