Worst Cities to Retire in the United States.

[ShokWaveRider]

I like this chap's Videos - Yes, I know a lot of these are clickbait, but in general Schmidt along with Briggs are 2 of my favorite Tubers.

I hope some folks here are interested in this one. These cities are not all bad, some are some are just expensive. The ones with high crime and poor healthcare are worth noting.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I like this guy's analytical approach. He uses well-defined statistics and sensible criteria to reach a conclusion.

After watching this video I watched his video on Top States to Retire in During Turbulent Financial Times. Another solid entry, and the results were surprising. Personally I would put more emphasis on weather than he does, but overall it's a good rating system.

 

[Car-Guy]

I didn't watch the video but any city/town that is much over 100k population is off my list. <50k would be better.

 

[Koolau]

Yeah, kinda interesting to watch, but if you were going to do a deep dive on this subject (and others like j*b opportunity, things to do, weather, schools, etc.) you might do better with "Places Rated Almanac." https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13197792-places-rated-almanac

My copy is maybe 25 years old (heh, heh, it helped me make up my mind that Honolulu was where I wanted to live.) IIRC it compares almost 400 places with 8 or 10 "aspects" like crime, weather, etc.

It's kinda funny how they w*rk out as, for instance they consider weather in terms of average temperature above or below 65 degrees F (points lost for either above or below.) Dis haole boy tink 65 F is too donn cold. Our most likely temps in winter are 70 at night and 80 in the day. Lots of locals run around in shorts - and winter coats in the winter. Not dis haole boy, but grab extra blanket in da winter time.

So as long as you know how each rated aspect is developed, you can put together your own criteria (heh, heh, forget j*b opportunity for instance.)

The video sort of touched on the idea that there are safer and less safe neighborhoods. I can point them out by now in Honolulu and my gut would tell me if I didn't know. SO "bad crime" is an average and may not apply to the area of a city you like otherwise.

You gotta go there and check it out day and night, summer and winter to really know about a place. Trust but verify. YMMV

 

[Out of Steam]

I didn't watch the video but any city/town that is much over 100k population is off my list. <50k would be better.

I have trouble imagining living somewhere with a metro population under 500K.

 

[Koolau]

I have trouble imagining living somewhere with a metro population under 500K.

I don't necessarily enjoy living in a "large" city, but I want all the things that a big city has to offer (health care, restaurants, activities, etc.)

 

[Out of Steam]

I don't necessarily enjoy living in a "large" city, but I want all the things that a big city has to offer (health care, restaurants, activities, etc.)

True, another advantage is that there is usually more than one of an amenity or service. In the case of where we live, there's three hospital systems.

 

[Poopycat]

I live in STL; looking forward to leaving once I retire but not because of crime rate. I moved here for work reasons and just don’t have a compelling reason to stay. But these “STL is the worst city to retire/live/relocate/etc.” are so misleading.

There’s absolutely crime here, but it’s largely concentrated in the northern part of the city (East STL too but that’s in IL and is only maybe 20,000 people now). The southern part of STL as well as the western counties are quite nice IMO, just like any other city in the country, and reasonably affordable. Ironically, I feel safer in my current residence than I have felt in just about any other residence I have lived in.

I welcome you to check me here because I only read about this “fact” in an article when I first moved here, but the way crime statistics are calculated plays a role in determining safe vs dangerous cities. STL is really odd because there’s STL City and some of the surrounding areas are considered STL but they are part of STL County, and the County is not included in the crime star calculations. STL County is less crime-ridden (and actually very nice) and would cause STL’s crime rate to drop considerably if included. The article I read compared it to ATL, which does include both city and county in the crime rate. If ATL calculated its rates using just the city statistics, its crime rate would be higher than that of STL.

Anyway, I heard the guy say that people could be living in good neighborhoods or bad neighborhoods. I just think that using crime rate alone without doing any further research could lead people to cross a city off someone’s list prematurely. While I’m just not a fan of the Midwest in general and miss the west coast lifestyle (if that still exists), I would say that STL could be a great retirement option for some people. I have found health care to be good and plentiful; there’s a good med school here and lots of health facilities. There are lots of historical neighborhoods and an incredible urban park (Forest Park) that has a free zoo, art museum, science museum, and history museum. And you’re surrounded by state parks and lots of biking trails if hiking and biking are your thing. Whether you prefer urban living, suburban living, or rural/semi-rural living, those options are here. Cost of living is reasonable too.

 

[aaronc879]

I didn't watch the video but any city/town that is much over 100k population is off my list. <50k would be better.

As long as there is a good quality major hospital near by then I agree completely.

 

[aaronc879]

I have trouble imagining living somewhere with a metro population under 500K.

The metro area I live in is a little over 200,000 and has gotten way too big for me. I avoid all larger metro areas whenever possible and can't imagine a reason to live in a metro area with 500K+ people. To each their own.

 

[GenXguy]

The metro area I live in is a little over 200,000 and has gotten way too big for me. I avoid all larger metro areas whenever possible and can't imagine a reason to live in a metro area with 500K+ people. To each their own.

Agreed. I prefer a smaller community as long as it has all the necessities I need. I live in the area of a state university and multiple health care organizations, so it's about the right balance. If I want a taste of a big city, I can always drive into Chicago. lol

 

[braumeister]

I would say there is a lot more to consider even just looking at population figures.
Population of city, county, metropolitan area, etc.
Population density (people per square mile) in each of those subdivisions.

Anyway, population is only one of a couple of dozen criteria I would use when deciding where to move.

 

[brett]

We considered moving to a rural area. We decided to remain in our city for two reasons. The first was medical care. We were both in excellent health at the time. The second was proximity to an international airport. We travel frequently.

A few years after making the decision to remain in our city my spouse required neurological surgery. Many visits to specialists that ended at the hospital. This care would not have been available in close proximity to where we were considering moving. Indeed, there might not have even been an accurate diagnosis of the issue.

We were glad that we made the decision that we did.

 

[Koolau]

We considered moving to a rural area. We decided to remain in our city for two reasons. The first was medical care. We were both in excellent health at the time. The second was proximity to an international airport. We travel frequently.

A few years after making the decision to remain in our city my spouse required neurological surgery. Many visits to specialists that ended at the hospital. This care would not have been available in close proximity to where we were considering moving. Indeed, there might not have even been an accurate diagnosis of the issue.

We were glad that we made the decision that we did.

Yeah, medical (and maybe secondarily crime) are two important drivers for seniors picking a place to live post retirement. This (these) categories deserve extra weight in all those "best" and "worst" places to live - which is why I prefer the raw data - not the final pick by some click bait outfit.

 

[COcheesehead]

Location, climate, medical, airport, restaurants, house prices, recreation opportunities were all top of our list when we picked a new city to move to. We found one we love and it had everything and only 70,000 people so traffic, sprawl, etc are minimal.

 

[Gumby]

Logic flow chart for choosing a place to live.


Is it Connecticut?

^
^ YES >>>> Welcome to the Land of Steady Habits. Congratulations on your great taste and wise decision. You'll love it here.
^
^ NO >>>>> Sorry. Make another choice. V
^
^ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

[JoeWras]

I'd consider Conneticut if I could only figure out how to spell it!

 

[Koolau]

I'd consider Conneticut if I could only figure out how to spell it!

Heh, heh, that ain't it!

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

I'd consider Conneticut if I could only figure out how to spell it!

You Connect. I cut!

 

[JoeWras]

You Connect. I cut!

I like it!

Now I need to work on [-]restaraunt[/-] restaurant.

 

[Ronstar]

I don't watch the best/worst cities videos. I don't want to move to any city.

 

[Rianne]

According to CNBC this morning, San Francisco might be on that list soon.

 

[Koolau]

According to CNBC this morning, San Francisco might be on that list soon.

Soon??

Wait. On the list of what? Good or bad?

 

[brett]

The worst city....somewhere you are not happy.

Somewhere where your COL is so expensive relative to your income that you find yourself living alone and in poverty.

The rest is all relative.

Who cares what the pundits or what the know it alls say.

The only opinion that matters is your own.

 

[Koolau]

The worst city....somewhere you are not happy.

Somewhere where your COL is so expensive relative to your income that you find yourself living alone and in poverty.

The rest is all relative.

Who cares what the pundits or what the know it alls say.

The only opinion that matters is your own.

I have to agree, yet there are some basic standards we probably all agree on like 1) Low crime - at least in the kind of neighborhoods you like and can afford and need to go to upon occasion. 2) Decent weather (whatever that is - but it's not blazing hot/humid summers and sub zero winters with Fall and Spring lasting about 3 days each.) 3) Manageable traffic. (Our traffic can be miserable, but I know exactly when to hit the freeway and when not to - depending on where I'm going.) 4) COL - it could even be high (like where I live) BUT it is manageable for my budget. I've learned the "hacks" and live quite comfortably. 5) (Dare I say it) Politics. Enough said.