Prime Time: Small is beautiful when it comes to retirement
You can literally breathe it in. Less smog, less congestion, fewer crimes, and cheaper house prices are only a few of the things drawing retirees away from the city. Small town living is becoming very attractive to retirees, especially in states such as Colorado and Wyoming. Retirees and those thinking about it, like the first baby boomers who turned 60 this year, want to live in a locale with plenty of amenities, a low cost of living, little congestion, and a clean environment, according to Brookings Institution demographer William Frey.
The old image of aging urbanites fleeing the big cities of the Northeast and Midwest for the sunnier climates of Florida and Arizona have given way to a new breed of retiree seeking a respite from the rat race. Today's active and well-educated retirees want to stay engaged in part-time work and community activities. They are seeking out environments where they can continue hobbies, run small businesses, and stay connected with family.
Typical of this new retiree haven is Gillette, Wyo., where an informal citizen survey in 2005 found the No. 1 reason residents like living in Gillette is their friendly neighbors. Mayor Duane Evenson says that "seasoned citizens" in Gillette enjoy a quiet little place with a growing economy, excellent medical care, moderately priced housing, and a variety of activities. Evenson calls Gillette, "a hidden little secret out here in the West."
Frey looked at U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 to 2004 and found these small-town communities had the greatest growth of people over the age of 55:
Although no Florida city made the top 10, Palm Coast did come in at No. 11.