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Retiree Darius McLintock is clear about why life is great in Mesa: Crime is low, hospitals are excellent, housing is cheap and it rarely rains.
The Arizona city was the top destination for seniors last year.
McLintock also highlighted the city’s low unemployment rate, the varied natural beauty of the nearby mountains and desert, as well as the lack of extreme weather events such as tornadoes.
These factors may be what led Mesa to become the fastest-growing retirement destination in the U.S., according to a new report. by SmartAsset Has revealed.
The report, using the most recent census data available, has revealed where retirees are fleeing from and where they are flocking to.
Mesa, Arizona: City with the most new seniors
23 percent of Mesa’s population is now 60 or older.
Mesa, just 18 miles east of Phoenix, features high rates of senior homeownership, abundant arts and cultural facilities, and dozens of nearby golf courses.
It is not surprising then that the city attracted the largest influx of retirees in 2022.
The influx was 50 percent greater than in any other city in the country: 4,453 people moved to the shelter in just one year.
“Mesa has an ideal climate for an active lifestyle, with 300 days of sunshine a year, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and golf,” said real estate expert Diana Benson of the benefits of retiring in the city.
“The cost of living in Mesa is affordable,” Benson explained, “housing options range from affordable condominiums to luxurious retirement communities.”
‘Mesa also does not have a sales tax on food, unlike neighboring communities,’ he added.
23 percent of Mesa’s population is now 60 or older, according to the SmartAsset study.
Florida, the state that attracted the most new retirees
The Sunshine State welcomed the most retirees of any state in 2022
In the same year alone, 1,662 retirees moved to St. Petersburg
The Sunshine State, long a favorite for those 60 and older, welcomed the most retirees of any state in 2022.
Florida recorded 77,000 new retirees making the state their home in 2022, more than three times as many as any other state.
The state is attractive to the demographic because of its low taxes, mild climate and affordable health care, according to WalletHub, which ranked the state as the best to retire in.
The state also boasts a low crime rate and a growing economy that has seen its population, 28.4 percent of which is over 60, grow overall in recent years.
While the state has designated retirement communities like The Villages, other cities and towns have attracted seniors over 60 with their affordable restaurants and beaches.
St Petersburg, with its popular fishing and stunning beaches, attracted 1,662 retirees in 2022 alone.
Arizona: the state is also a magnet for seniors
Overall, Arizona had the second-largest influx of retirees, with 23,515 for the year.
Among them is Gary Mitchell, 70, who moved to the state from Hawaii with his wife Carmen two years ago.
“We’re doing great, there’s no stress or tension,” Gary told Fox News.
“I love this place,” Carmen said. “I feel safe. We’re not moving from here.”
The couple moved to Maricopa, a suburb of Phoenix just 35 miles from Mesa, in June 2021.
Gary told the publication that many of his neighbors are Californians who have fled the state’s notoriously high housing prices.
The median home price in California was $749,970, compared with the median listing price in Arizona of $440,000 at the time of Mitchell’s move.
Arizona’s mountains, deserts and forests also attract retirees seeking a connection with nature.
Its world-renowned golf courses, popular concerts and sporting events also offer a variety of activities for those over 60 looking for a lively retirement.
Maine: the state with the highest proportion of retirees
Maine has the highest proportion of retirees of any state
However, Maine has the highest number of retirees overall: 30 percent of the state’s population is currently of retirement age.
The state’s natural beauty, filled with rugged coastlines and quaint seaside towns, attracts people over 60 looking for a quiet retreat for hiking and nature watching.
Maine also has the lowest cost of living in New England and a relatively low crime rate.
Vermont and Delaware follow closely with 29.8 and 28.5 percent respectively.
The cities that older people flee from
Cambridge, Massachusetts has the most retirees moving out of any city in the country.
As a general trend, retirees are abandoning cities in favor of smaller towns and life in the countryside.
Cambridge, Massachusetts has the most retirees moving of any city in the country.
The city experienced a net loss of 1,674 people over the age of 60 in 2022.
Closely behind was Wilmington, North Carolina, which suffered a net loss of 1,097, the second most in the country relative to its size.
Over the same period, Longmont, Colorado, ranked third in terms of retirees lost over the same period.