Millions of adults in the United States will reach retirement age in the coming years. Finding the right place to settle down is a major decision for many people. According to a recent report by Storage Cafe, the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area in Florida is the best metro area for retirement quality of life. This destination offers a great mix of sunshine and amenities for those looking to relocate.
The waterfront wonderland of Cape Coral
The Cape Coral and Fort Myers area took the top spot in the country for retirement quality of life. Residents often call this beautiful city a waterfront wonderland since it is built around 400 miles of canals. You will also find more than 1500 acres of parks here, according to information from Visit Florida.
Warm weather and high life expectancy
One of the biggest draws is the amazing weather that stays warm throughout the entire year. Storage Cafe reports that the area has an average daily temperature of about 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit. People here also enjoy a high life expectancy of 80.6 years, which sounds pretty great.
A large senior population
You will definitely find plenty of people in the same stage of life if you move here. Nearly 30 percent of the residents in Cape Coral are 65 years old or older. This means the community is truly built around the needs and interests of seniors.
Solid average retirement income
Money is always a big factor when you decide where to spend your golden years. The Storage Cafe report shows that this Florida metro area boasts a high average retirement income of $42000 per year. That kind of financial stability helps people enjoy all the local amenities without worrying too much.
Abundant outdoor recreation activities
Retirees love staying active and this destination has everything you need to spend time outside. There are so many outdoor recreational facilities, including boat ramps and tennis courts and golf courses. You also have very close proximity to beautiful sandy beaches whenever you want to relax by the water.
The winter snowbird destination
The population of the city actually swells up quite a bit during the colder months of the year. People known as snowbirds move from freezing cold places to this warm weather destination just for the winter. It was actually named the best warm weather winter destination for retirees recently.
Other top Florida locations
Florida completely dominated the top of the list with four different metro areas in the top ten. The Naples Immokalee Marco Island region took the number three spot where retirees enjoy the highest life expectancy in the country at 84 years. Storage Cafe noted that Naples offers plenty of serenity and an average retirement income of $59000.
The east coast city alternative
You might be surprised to learn that the New York and Newark area came in second place on the list. Retirees in this bustling region have access to nearly 6000 healthcare providers for every 10000 residents compared to the national average of 4400. Three of the top 20 hospitals in the entire country are located in New York City.
Boise Idaho stands out out west
If you prefer the western side of the country, then Boise Idaho is the only community west of the Mississippi River in the top ten. This city is ranked as the safest in the nation based on crime rates, giving seniors a very strong sense of security. It is worth noting that it has a slightly lower life expectancy of 78.8 years and fewer senior residents overall.
The rest of the top ten list
There are a few other great spots that made the top ten list for senior quality of life. Some of these include North Port and Port St Lucie in Florida, along with Durham in North Carolina and Madison in Wisconsin. You can also find great retirement communities in the Virginia Beach area and the Poughkeepsie region of New York.
