Society of Certified Senior Advisors: Where Are Americans Moving? Are These Good Spots for Retirees?

The migration pattern overall is trending toward states that are meccas for older Americans. But are these really the best places to retire?

Americans were on the move in 2020, according to a recent report from U-Haul on one-way rentals of its vans and trucks. For the first time, Tennessee claimed the top spot, followed by Texas, a favorite for five straight years. California ranked last, with most people moving out of the Golden State. Perhaps that’s no surprise considering the high cost of living and rampant wildfires that have plagued the state in recent years.

AARP’s Livability Index

Check AARP’s livability index for the services and amenities that are most important for older adults. Enter your own zip code, then check around to find out how your neighborhood compares with communities across the country. See how each area ranks in terms of housing, environment, transportation, health care, neighborhood, community engagement and opportunity.

Retirement is about the time that many older adults, about 1% annually, choose to move out of state. Sometimes it’s to be near adult children, to enjoy a warmer climate or to find a place where expenses won’t be so high once that fixed income kicks in. Interestingly, seniors and millennials are often looking for some of the same amenities and gravitate toward the same areas.

“There is a great deal of overlap in the types of things that older adults and millennials want,” says Rodney Harrell, director of AARP’s Livable Communities program. Things like walkable neighborhoods with easy access — by car or public transportation — to jobs, nearby leisure and recreational activities, and health care.

That can be problematic when an influx of younger adults and retirees drive up housing prices, such as has happened in Denver. The city is awash in microbreweries, and has a network of bike paths as well as a glut of entertainment and restaurant options, plus proximity to mountain parks. But the average cost of a house in the Mile High City last December was a mind-blowing $606,000.

In fact, every community offers a mix of amenities balanced against some downfalls. One may have great weather and no state taxes but a high crime rate. WalletHub has attempted to rate the states according to some features that retirees look for, namely affordability, quality of life and access to good health care. See the results, below.

Best & Worst States to Retire

Overall Rank	State	Total Score	Affordability	Quality of Life	Health Care
1	Florida	61.09	4	6	28
2	Colorado	60.94	13	16	5
3	Delaware	58.69	5	29	22
4	Virginia	58.61	11	7	23
5	North Dakota	57.49	24	18	6
6	Montana	57.35	12	22	15
7	Idaho	57.28	16	11	25
8	Utah	57.11	21	4	26
9	Minnesota	56.33	37	3	2
10	New Hampshire	56.29	30	1	9
11	Wyoming	56.19	14	13	29
12	Missouri	54.64	20	36	12
13	South Dakota	54.04	22	26	18
14	South Carolina	53.18	3	37	41
15	North Carolina	53.14	19	24	34
16	Iowa	52.68	34	8	8
17	Arizona	52.49	15	28	35
18	Hawaii	52.40	38	30	1
19	Wisconsin	52.24	32	15	16
20	Vermont	51.39	48	5	3
21	Michigan	51.33	31	21	17
22	Ohio	51.10	25	23	31
23	Nebraska	50.55	36	19	10
24	Nevada	50.44	7	39	40
25	Alaska	49.49	39	33	4
26	Georgia	49.33	9	42	42
27	Alabama	49.20	1	45	48
28	California	48.98	29	31	30
29	Massachusetts	48.86	44	2	19
30	Indiana	48.85	26	34	37
31	Washington	48.75	43	10	7
32	Pennsylvania	48.64	35	12	32
33	Maryland	48.37	41	9	14
34	Louisiana	48.27	8	46	43
35	Tennessee	48.16	2	49	47
36	Kansas	47.84	27	32	39
37	Maine	47.71	46	14	11
38	Arkansas	47.54	6	48	45
39	Oregon	47.02	42	20	13
40	Oklahoma	46.47	17	44	44
41	Illinois	45.88	40	27	21
42	Texas	45.85	28	40	38
43	Connecticut	44.35	47	25	20
44	West Virginia	44.12	18	41	50
45	Kentucky	43.78	23	43	46
46	Rhode Island	42.85	45	38	24
47	New Mexico	42.68	33	47	36
48	Mississippi	41.88	10	50	49
49	New York	41.86	49	17	27
50	New Jersey	37.41	50	35	33

Chart courtesy of WalletHub

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Forbes offers some tempting retirement options from across the country that include cities located in colder climes and others, like Philadelphia, that simply aren’t at the top of most retirees’ lists. The company’s No. 1 pick is Asheville, North Carolina, a town nestled in the Appalachians that’s home to a university, a thriving arts district, a handful of health food stores and the iconic Biltmore hotel. Read the whole Forbes list to find other unexpected gems.

No matter where you consider moving, it’s a good idea to visit the area repeatedly, at different times of year. You don’t want to be surprised by winter snow, or a summer monsoon season or tourist crowds. A town you thought was ho-hum could turn out to charm you with a show of autumn color and a fall music festival, or the splendor of spring bulbs in bloom along with a plethora of art fairs. Maybe you’ve always wanted an Alaskan adventure, or the kids moved to Montana with their children and there’s no question you’ll follow to be a part of their lives.

“The softer issues are generally the more important ones when it comes to relocating,” said Evan Beach, a certified financial planner with Campbell Wealth Management. “Money is only part of the equation.”