We all dream of retiring in that perfect spot with some sunshine and maybe a little fishing or golf. Unfortunately, finding that place isn’t as easy as you might think. There are plenty of things that could throw a wrench into your plans and turn your retirement dream into a nightmare. And sometimes, it’s the place itself that’s the problem. Here are 18 of the worst states to retire in and why.
The Price of Beauty
This data comes from a Bankrate study. First up, we have the very worst state to retire in, Alaska. Although it has some beautiful views, living somewhere so remote doesn’t come cheap, as practically everything here costs a lot more. No matter how much you love the great outdoors, you’ll have to stretch your retirement dollars pretty far to make it in Alaska.
Too Much Tax
There’s so much to see and do in New York, but your pension might suffer with the state’s high rate of income tax. You really don’t want to move to a state where you’ll have to fork over a large amount of your hard-earned savings to the government. If you’re trying to keep your finances steady, then stay away from New York.
Seasonal Stress
Of course, California’s a lovely state, although wildfire season and constant natural disasters aren’t so great. Even when the weather’s doing better, you’ll still have to pay for insurance, and those costs are rising. You might want to think twice about settling down in a place that’s as dangerous as this one.
Price Problems
If you’re looking to downsize in Washington, good luck. The real estate prices are going through the roof, especially in cities like Seattle, where the market is brutal. This isn’t the best place to stretch your retirement funds, and you might want to think about moving to a better-priced state instead.
The Hassle of Healthcare
There’s no denying that Massachusetts has some of the best healthcare facilities around, and the research proves that. Unfortunately, that quality comes at a cost, and it’s a pretty steep one. For retirees who are on a fixed income, the cost of healthcare is just too much to even consider moving to this state.
Constantly Cold
North Dakota’s winters are legendary for a reason, and that’s because they’re incredibly cold. Unless you’re a polar bear or you really like shoveling snow, this is a state that you should avoid. Plus, this constant cold means you’ll be paying more for your heating bills and won’t be able to do as much outdoors, which isn’t great if you want to stay active during your golden years.
Mad Medical Bills
There’s plenty of space and spirit in Texas, that’s for sure. Sadly, Medicaid hasn’t received the same treatment, and the options for retirees are pretty limited, so they might not be able to cover the medical costs of their later years. Comprehensive health coverage is pretty important when you’re older, so you may want to avoid living in a state where it’s so difficult to get.
High and Dry
Colorado’s high altitude is enough to take your breath away, but not necessarily in a good way. If you’ve got heart or lung issues like most older people, this thin air can cause some major health issues that just aren’t worth it. This isn’t a state where you’ll be enjoying a laid-back lifestyle but a painful one.
Busting Your Budgets
Maryland has plenty of charm, although you should remember that this doesn’t come cheap. The state has some of the highest cost of living rates around, which is bad news for any retirees who are watching their funds. And if you were hoping for a quieter retirement, let’s just say that cities like D.C. and Baltimore don’t really understand that.
Storm Warning
Nothing ruins a peaceful retirement like the threat of hurricanes. In Louisiana, this is a real worry that could completely destroy your finances and your life, making it pretty hard to relax. Having to constantly evacuate and repair is enough to make most retirees rethink their retirement plans and look at moving somewhere a little calmer.
Scarce Service
The real issue in Indiana is that there aren’t as many benefits for seniors as there are elsewhere. Most other states have strong senior service facilities and social activities that keep retirees connected, but the options are a little more limited here. If you want to retire and be by yourself, then great, but if not, you may want to go to another state.
Time For Tax
Ohio is another state with some terrible tax rates, and this time, it’s on property taxes. It’s hard to enjoy that sense of community during your retirement years when you’re freaking out about taxes eating into your savings. After a while, you might find that you’re just not able to pick up those new hobbies or leisure activities that you were hoping for, as they’re too expensive.
Get Ready to Drive
You’d better learn to love driving if you’re thinking about moving to New Hampshire. Public transportation options are quite limited, and you’ll have to own a car if you want to get around. Most retirees want to spend their golden years relaxing, not looking for a place to park, which is why this state’s a no-go.
Too Remote
South Dakota has lots of quiet spots, but perhaps it has too many. To travel to any major city, be prepared for a bit of a drive and plan ahead because they’re a little too out of the way for spontaneous trips. This also means it’s a lot harder to get that specialized medical care you might need as a retiree.
Breathe Carefully
Like Colorado, retirees in Kentucky usually struggle with breathing problems, though for slightly different reasons. The air quality in some parts of the state isn’t great, especially around the industrial zones, and this can make living here more hassle than it’s worth. After all, don’t you want to enjoy your years of freedom?
Taxes All Round
Enjoying the beautiful scenery and friendliness of Minnesota is pretty expensive, thanks to all of those taxes. Between income, sales, and property taxes, you’ll probably find your savings don’t stretch as far as you’d like. This could mean that you’ve got to cut back on some of those retirement pleasures that you deserve, so you might want to look elsewhere.
Water Worries
Retiring to the sunny state of Arizona sounds good until you think about its water problems. Ongoing droughts and high water use mean that saving water is more important than ever in Arizona, which can affect your daily quality of life. After all, nobody wants to spend their retirement measuring every drop.
Poor Medical Care
If you love the idea of Idaho’s wide-open spaces, just remember that healthcare facilities are few and far between in most rural areas. Many retirees need more regular medical care than younger generations, so the distance to the nearest clinic can be a dealbreaker. And even when you get there, it’s not good news, as the state has one of the worst healthcare systems in the country.
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