What is best state for retirees?

[Blaze Duskdreamer]

I need to get out of New York. It's horrible. This breaks my heart. My family's lived in upstate New York since the 1600s but it becoming unliveable.

The wrost part is I don't see how I'm even going to manage a move physically but, putting aside hwo I often get suddenly and violently ill without warning, any recommendations. Preferrably something less communist than New York so not California or Portland. The redder the better though I'm atheist, which shouldn't matter but I mention so as to not be recommended places where they care about that. I respect people's right to beleive but need somewhere where they repsect my right to disbelieve. This is America. Well, supposedly.

I like New York because it's fairly natural disaster free and the long winters kill the bugs. I don't want gators or flying cockroaches or poisonous spiders. Not to mention things as benign as box elder beetles year round.

I have Social Security and a pension from the State so also preferrably somewhere those aren't taxable though currently they aren't because my income's still too low with them combined.

I'm not a homeowner. I rent so low rents would also be desirable though I really rather need an apartment that includes a washer and dryer. I have mobility issues so somewhere that's wheelchair friendly.

Somewhere that doesn't demonize legal opiods along with the illegal kind. New York continually makes it harder and harder to renew my lousy 5mg script of hydrocodone. Don't get me started on equating my lousy 5mg script of hydrocodone with fetanyl and heroin.

Any recommendations and any tips on moving itself when one is so ill and mobility impaired that just functioning takes major effort appreaciated. Thank you.

 

[MarkD]

Bliss?

 

[fuzzybuddy]

The best state to retire is the state in which you feel comfortable. I'm happy living in Northeastern PA. While I bellyache about the snow in winter, I'd miss it if I moved to a warmer place. It's not about where you retire, it's where you're happiest.

 

[feywon]

The best state to retire is the state in which you feel comfortable. I'm happy living in Northeastern PA. While I bellyache about the snow in winter, I'd miss it if I moved to a warmer place. It's not about where you retire, it's where you're happiest.

Exactly, no one place could be 'best' for everyone. We all have different needs, comforts zones and wants.

 

[Knight]

If it was me I'd be looking at recommendations like this.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-best-kept-secret-places-152509525.html#:~:text=Apart from Florida, U.S News,places to retire in 2023.

Recommendations with multiple locations seems best. As for taxes Googling what states tax soc. sec. for both federal & state it's all there to read. To find your "best place" searching the internet should be a big help.

 

[feywon]

As for making such a move when alone and have health issues. You don't say if you just live alone or if you have no family (particularly younger ones) who might assist you in finding a place that meets your needs.

As @Knight suggested the internet can be a big help. Not just asking for recommendations on chat sites, but in researching places people suggest. If you're not sure how to start you might want to contact the nearest Senior Center and see if they can help or find someone who can. You might want to think about what size city. Small towns often have few things for rent, and most don't have home delivery of mail--you have pay for a PO Box and pick your mail up there. While my town has a clinic and dialysis center, the only pharmacy is in the clinic. So i think you'd probably want a small city--20,000 or so at least one actual hospital,

Once you have some idea of locale use internet to research the various possibilities, i would think most small cities have a websites or Facebook pages, since even my 'village' does. Websites are helpful for keeping citizens informed of infrastructure work whether scheduled or emergency repairs. When a truck hit a small pumping station for water supply, officials posted about it on both website and FB. Kept us updated on repair progress and then getting the pipes flushed of unhealthy stuff that got in the lines. Because it only effected part of the town we were able to get water from the Municipal faucet in center of town and didn't have to buy water.

But those websites can also help you check out rental availability and pricing. With your health concerns you might want to consider an 'Assisted' or 'Independent' living community--where you'd have your own space but staff could check on you and assist when you have medical appointments or emergencies. See if they have online access to local paper---the articles and ads can give a 'feel' for what kind of community it is.

 

[oldaunt]

I'm perfectly happy here in the middle of Arkansas, cheaper housing, lower property taxes ($147 on 26 acres) and a quiet life. Hot in the summer but the AC works. Cool in the winter, not often below freezing. Depends on what you want.