AARP's 15 'Dream' Towns, Tools To Find
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| by Broderick Perkins DeadlineNews.Com Nearing retirement, you want to slow down a bit, but no way are you going to fully retire. In fact, you've got quite a few things yet to do. There's a good chance you'll reinvent yourself, restart your life, reset some goals and reestablish your dreams. To go with your new outlook, you'll need some new scenery -- a place where you can afford to live without spending all your money on housing. You'll also need a locale steeped in culture, entertainment and outdoor activities to keep up with your active lifestyle. And, of course, you don't want to spend anytime worrying about your security as you are at home or out and about participating in community affairs. You are among the new breed of aging Americans looking to reinvent your lifestyles rather than retire and, with you in mind, AARP has taken some of the leg work out of the home work typically necessary to find the kind of location you need. "15 Top Dream Towns: The 15 Best Places To Reinvent Your Life" is an AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired People) study on behalf of its members -- 35 million people who are 50 and older -- half of whom are working full or part time, are healthier and wealthier than their predecessor, and are not anywhere near ready to throw in the towel on an active life. Some 18 million men and women, 55 and older, remain in the work force and at least seven out of 10 workers 45 and older plan to work during their retirement years, AARP says. While earning money is the carrot for many to keep going, one third have simply found work a labor of love and a crucial element of the independence they wish to retain. To address the needs of the growing demographic group of baby boomers redefining the retirement years, AARP looked at a host of factors in numerous cities to come up with 15 towns that are the best incubators for restarting life. The factors include: • Job availability. Many older Americans will work beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. • Affordable housing. Many older people will move down and buy a smaller home. Rather than spend their gain on expensive housing, it's a better idea to use tax-free capital gains to start a business, reeducate oneself or just use it as a nest egg spent on low-risk investments. Many of the cities in the list offer homes at or below the national median price. • Culture and entertainment. Boomers don't sit at home. • Outdoor recreation. Boomers don't just sit at shows. • Personal safety and property security. Today, everyone wants to feel safe. • Colleges or universities. An active mind is a healthy mind. • Good public schools. Younger boomers still have teens at home. • Community. It takes a village to raise a child at heart. • Proximity to good health care. Boomers are healthier than previous older generations, but they aren't immortal. • Ease of travel. Good public transportation, reduced traffic and easy access to airports helps keep boomers mobile. So what are the top towns for boomers preparing for their second lease on life? p> Along with median cost of housing in each, they are: • Loveland/Fort Collins, CO; $210,185. Independence, however, is about choices, so the AARP report also includes "20 Ways To Pick The City That's Best For You" to give you the opportunity to tune into the tinsel town that's especially tops for you. Copyright © 2004 DeadlineNews.Com -- Broderick Perkins, is executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, an editorial content and consulting firm. Perkins has been a consumer and real estate journalist for more than 25 years. |