Where Should You Retire? The 9-Factor Framework for getting it right

Where should you retire? Choosing the right retirement location is actually a deeply personal and multifaceted decision. And frankly, most people like where they already live. However, if you’re looking to move, you’ll want to carefully consider factors ranging from climate and cost of living to access to health care and community connections. By understanding your retirement vision, doing thorough research, and prioritizing your needs and preferences, you can identify a place that feels like home for this next chapter of your life.

Remember, retirement is not just about where you live, but how you live. Here are a few different options to consider when figuring out which situation is best for YOUR retirement.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

When considering the best situation for you to retire, the first thing you probably want to think about is your loved ones. How close do you need and want to be to family and friends? For many people, this may be the most important factor when choosing a place to live.

1. Social and Public Relations

Socializing is essential to a fulfilling retirement. In addition to family and friends, retirees should seek out communities that encourage social interaction and provide opportunities for meaningful interactions with others. Explore community centers, retirement communities, community clubs, volunteer organizations, and recreational groups that align with your interests and values.

Building a supportive network of friends and peers can improve your sense of belonging and well-being in retirement. Also, reaching out to people and events that you feel comfortable with can be important.

2. Lifestyle Features

Retirement is a time to indulge your passions and interests. Therefore, you should choose a location that allows you to access the activities you want to do.

Consider the recreational and cultural facilities available in potential retirement areas. Whether you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, or fishing, or prefer cultural attractions such as museums, theaters, and art galleries, make sure your chosen location offers opportunities for enrichment and enjoyment.

Not sure what you want to do in retirement? Check out 120 ideas for what to do in retirement.

3. Housing and Housing Affordability

There is no one way to make housing work in retirement. In fact, the right answer usually has little to do with it there you live—and there’s a lot you can do with it How you think about tradeoffs.

Here are two very different ways that have led to homes that people love:

Home is where the heart is: I heard a couple on the radio who took a completely open approach. They didn’t start with a location—they started with a goal: to find a home they loved and could actually afford. They searched for listings all over the country and finally landed on a three-acre property in a small town in Maine. It was not about the state. It was about feeling—and financial equity.

Location. Location. Location: My mother took a different approach. He had no interest in moving, even though he lives in one of the most expensive cities in the US Instead, he redefined what “affordable” looks like in that market. He found a great home in a well-to-do community with great amenities—allowing him to live where he wants to be, on financially viable terms.

Two very different decisions. Both are perfectly valid.

The takeaway: affordability isn’t just about picking the “cheapest” place on the map. It’s about aligning your housing choices with your priorities—whether that’s flexibility, familiarity, community, or lifestyle—and finding a way to make the numbers support that lifestyle.

Because in retirement, the goal isn’t just to spend less. It’s living well—with a plan you can support.

Countries With the Most Affordable Housing: If you’re curious, here are the five states with the best housing affordability: Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, and Kentucky.

4. Low State Tax Rates

Taxes can be a big factor in many retirement budgets. Therefore, considering state taxes can be an important factor in your decision about the best situation for your retirement. State and local taxes can include income tax, property tax, sales tax, property tax, and more.

Learn more about the best states for low taxes or compare relocation status on the Boldin Retirement Planner –

• Use one state where you live now. Create another state by moving to another state. We will calculate your estimated tax burden in each case, and you can compare.

5. Total Cost of Living

US News and World Report ranks regions by cost of living. They found that:

• Mississippi, West Virginia, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Arkansas have the lowest cost of living
• Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska have the highest cost of living

6. Health Care Access, Affordability, and Quality

Like it or not, you will need health care in retirement. Also, you’ll want to make sure that where you live provides accessible, affordable, and good quality health care.

Medicareguide.com conducted an analysis to help provide answers to which states provide the best health care for seniors. Overall, they rank

• Minnesota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, California, and Nebraska are the top five
• Oklahoma, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia are at the bottom

However, different regions succeed or fail on different criteria. Examine best and worst case scenarios for quality factors and health outcomes, accessibility factors, and costs in different categories.

Quality and Health Outcomes

Accessibility

Accessibility

7. Walking, Public Transport, and other aspects of accessibility

When deciding where to live, you’ll want to think about how you’ll get around. Experts say being able to walk to work can improve your quality of life and your health. But maybe access to the airport or major public transportation is important to you.

8. Climate and Geography

Climate and geography are important considerations for many retirees. Some may wish for year-round sunshine, while others prefer the changing seasons. Coastal regions offer beachside and ocean views, while mountainous regions boast beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Think about how the weather and landscape will affect your daily life and overall well-being.

9. Natural Disasters and Other Perils

Weather related weather related disasters. You may crave the tropical climate of Florida, but not want to deal with the threat of hurricanes. Arizona has extreme summer heat. California has wildfires and earthquakes. Almost every environment has risks and potential burdens related to natural disasters.

CoreLogic conducted an analysis of wildfire, inland flooding, hurricane, winter storm, earthquake, and hurricane risk and determined that the following 10 states are the most vulnerable to natural disasters:

1. McKinley, New Mexico
2. Duchesne, Utah
3. Conejos, Colorado
4. Emery, Utah
5. Summit, Colorado
6. Pondera, Montana
7. Saguache, Colorado
8. Utah, Utah
9. Mesa, Colorado
10. San Miguel, Colorado

10. Purpose & Identity

This is the deepest layer—and often the real driver. What will you say? do Where? Is it satisfying who you want to be?

Where Is Your Best Retirement Situation?

The truth is that most people stay put for retirement, but those looking to relocate have a lot to consider. Think carefully about your options. Use the Boldin Retirement Planner to work out the financial circumstances of the move.

Besides all the quality of life issues, you’ll want to be accountable for financial aspects, including:

• State income taxes (the Organizer will do this automatically when you enter the transfer zone)
• Property tax changes (add to your ongoing expenses budget)
• Living expenses (shown in your recurring expenses budget)
• Medical costs change (because after 65 costs, the Editor will do this automatically with the location if you use the estimation tool)
• Insurance costs (some areas have higher costs than others)