U.S. News has released its annual ranking of the best places to retire. Three Georgia cities cracked the top 100.
The list evaluated the 150 most populated metro areas based on retirement suitability. It evaluated the areas for housing affordability, health care and overall happiness. This year’s list also included crime rates and air quality in its happiness index.
“The rankings are based on overall retirement scores that we calculated for each metro area. The overall retirement score is a weighted average of six indexes. The overall retirement score and each index score were calculated on a 10-point scale based on the data sources and scoring methodology ... The six indexes are: Housing Affordability, Happiness, Desirability, Retiree Taxes, Job Market and Health Care Quality,” U.S. News said in its methodology.
The website surveyed adults ages 45-59 and those 60 or older. Doing so offered guidance on what matters to people nearing retirement and those already at retirement age.
Eight of the top 10 spots were in Florida, which is known as a hub for retirees.
“After over a year of staying at home, many people are dreaming about a Florida beach retirement. Florida dominates this year’s ranking of the Best Places to Retire, taking eight of the top 10 spots on the list,” Emily Brandon, U.S. News senior editor for retirement said in a press release.
But you don’t have to move south to enjoy a good retirement. Georgia was on the list, too, including its capital city. Here’s how each of the Peach State cities faired on the list.
No. 79: Augusta
Augusta scored 6.6. overall, with a 7.4 in housing affordability and 6.1 in health care. The city has been recognized by AARP as an age-friendly community. That makes it inclusive, accessible and encouraging of active and healthy aging.
No. 90: Atlanta
Atlanta’s overall score of 6.5 includes a 6.3 on housing affordability and 6.6. for health care. According to Retireable, the city has plenty of 55-plus communities and a great selection of shops and restaurants to pass the time in your post-working days.
No 95: Savannah
Savannah’s overall score is 6.5. It scored 6.6 in housing affordability and 5.9 in health care. It’s also been among Forbes’s best places to retire. That’s due in part to its good ranking on the independent think tank Milken Institute’s best cities for successful aging.
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