So many places to go, so many people to meet!
Just as people downsize for a variety of reasons, so do their reasons for where they want to live. Maybe people are nearing retirement and they want to move to a new city to find a fresh new perspective, or maybe they’ve divorced or lost their jobs and want to hit the “reset” button.
There is no shortage of “best places to live” lists.
Generally, these lists take into consideration the cost of living, the “walkability” score (easy access to restaurants, stores, movie theaters, etc.), the weather, access to health care, whether there’s a college or university, and a variety of other factors – depending on who’s doing the moving.
Thinking of heading to a new city to find work? Well, consider the Forbes “Best Cities for Job Seekers” list. Or for people nearing retirement age who are considering a fun new place where children and grandchildren can visit, they can check out the “Best Places to Retire List,” also from Forbes. And while on the subject of retirement, here’s a “best places” list from AARP (American Association of Retired People). And for those who want to move to a friendly place, consider the AARP list of the best places for people aged 50 and over to make friends.
Other “best places to live” lists are created by U.S. News and World Report. Here they present their list of Best Places to Live. And for millennials, who are more apt than any other age group to pick up and move, there’s a Forbes list for that, too. Check out the Best Places to Live for Millennials
Active-adult communities are a hot trend now.
Baby boomers interested in an “active adult” community have close to 2,000 of them to select from throughout the U.S. At least one member of the household must be at least 55, and they generally consist of single-family homes on small lots, amenities like fitness centers, spas, clubhouses and free happy hours. Realtor.com published an article by Christine Romero (March 29, 2017) about where many of the 75 million baby boomers are heading to spend their “golden years.”
Some of these 55+ active-adult communities are more like a resort than anything else. Others are more modest, consisting of multi-family apartments or condominiums that conjure a sense of togetherness of people of similar ages. Check out 55places.com. The website is chock full of gorgeous photos of the homes, golf courses, swimming pools, and floor plans, There are always plenty of photos of vibrant, healthy-looking baby boomers enjoying wine by the pool or hitting the links with their friends. Florida alone boasts 300 of these properties, followed by 230 in New Jersey. Demand is expected to exceed supply of these properties, so those interested should make the move sooner rather than later!