Apparently, Wisconsin is the place to go for an active, enjoyable life after age 50. At least, that’s what a new livability index from AARP says. The index ranks cities, down to the neighborhood, based on several factors that make an area desirable to the 50-plus population. AARP broke the rankings into three population categories (10 cities in each), and there are six Wisconsin cities on the list, more than any other state. (Minnesota came in second with four.)
Labeling a city “most livable” is a pretty subjective assessment — people who love New York may not be crazy about living in Fargo, N.D., for example, but both are on this list. AARP tried to find cities that included many of the factors important to Americans aged 50 years and older. The rankings are based on analysis by the AARP Public Policy Institute and other experts of 60 community factors in seven categories: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity. The analysis included responses to a national survey of 4,500 Americans in that age group about what’s most important for them to have in their communities. Each of the cities on this list stands out in many of the 60 factors AARP analyzed, making them suitable for residents with a variety of tastes.
Large (Population 500,000 and Higher)
- San Francisco
- Boston
- Seattle
- Milwaukee
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Portland, Oregon
- Denver
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore
Medium (Population 100,000 to 500,000)
- Madison, Wis.
- St. Paul, Minn.
- Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Rochester, Minn.
- Minneapolis
- Arlington,Va.
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Lincoln, Neb.
- Fargo, N.D.
- Cambridge, Mass.
Small (Population 25,000 to 100,000)
- La Crosse, Wis.
- Fitchburg, Wis.
- Bismarck, N.D.
- Sun Prairie, Wis.
- Duluth, Minn.
- Union City, N.J.
- Grand Island, Neb.
- Kirkland, Wash.
- Marion, Iowa
- West Bend, Wis.
When thinking about a new location, there are several things to consider, beyond what the community has to offer. For starters, you may want to look at job opportunities and the unemployment rate, and if you’re considering buying a home, see if you can afford property in the neighborhood you find desirable. Livability may be challenging to quantify, but affordability is a bit more black-and-white. Financial stability should always be a large factor in making big life decisions.
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Image: iStock
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