R.I. 13th worst state for retirement

RHODE ISLAND ranked 13th worst on a list of the best and worst states to retire, according to Bankrate.com. Its weather earned it a score of 12, however. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS
RHODE ISLAND ranked 13th worst on a list of the best and worst states to retire, according to Bankrate.com. Its weather earned it a score of 12, however. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked 13th worst on a list of the best and worst states to retire, according to Bankrate.com.
The Ocean State ranked low for its high cost of living – 42nd, community well-being, which rates how satisfied residents 65 and older are with their surroundings – 46th, and high tax rate – 43rd.
Rhode Island’s best scores were in health care quality, where it came in ninth; weather, 12th and crime rate, 18th.
Rhode Island’s overall score, which made it the 38th best place to retire, slipped nine spots from 2014, when it was No. 29 on the list.

The study ranked Wyoming the best state for retirees, and Arkansas, the worst.
Wyoming’s low tax rate placed it first in that category. It also ranked fifth for its low crime rate. Arkansas ranked 47th in community well-being, 44th in health care quality and 45th for its crime rate.

The rest of the top 10 best states to retire in order were Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Virginia, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, Arizona and Nebraska. In addition to Arkansas, states that ranked at the bottom include New York (49), Alaska (48), West Virginia (47), Louisiana (46), New Jersey (45), Hawaii (44), Kentucky (43), Missouri (42) and Oregon (41).

Maine scored the highest among the New England states at No. 12, followed by Vermont at No. 15; New Hampshire No. 16; Massachusetts, No. 18. Connecticut was the only New England state that ranked lower than Rhode Island, coming in at No. 39.

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Florida, the state usually associated with retirement, ranked No. 28.

The survey also asked Americans which factors are most important to them when considering a retirement location. It found that three out of five Americans would like to retire to another city or state, but the desire to move fades with age, and that 24 percent say being close to family is the most important factor in deciding where to retire.
It also found that women value a “cheap cost of living” more highly than men – 59 percent compared with 43 percent. Four out of 10 Americans prefer locations near mountains, rivers or other outdoor recreation, while 25 percent prefer living near a beach.
“There are many factors retirees should consider before deciding where to put down their roots,” Bankrate.com research and statistics analyst Chris Kahn said in a statement. “Warm weather may be an initial draw, but all the sunny days in the world won’t make you happy if you’re constantly stretching your budget or don’t have access to quality health care.”
“Deciding where to live in the golden years is still a very personal decision. This list is meant to help inform, rather than choose a state for you. For example, if you want to retire on the beach and need top-notch health care, this can help narrow down your choices,” Kahn said.

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