Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Three out of five Americans want to spend their retirement in another city or state from where they currently live, according to a Bankrate's "Would you Move in Retirement?" survey of about 1,000 adults nationwide.
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Seventy-three percent of those surveyed who fall between the ages of 18 and 29 say they’d consider moving when it's time to retire, but that rate drops to 62 percent for those between the ages of 30 and 49, and 50 percent for ages 50 to 64. Only about 20 percent of those surveyed age 65 and older said they’d consider moving.
"It makes sense that as people approach retirement age, they become less enthusiastic about the idea," says Nari Rhee, a University of California, Berkeley retirement expert. "Once you've established roots in a community, it's much harder to move away from your friends and your support network -- even if the cost of living is lower elsewhere."
For older Americans, living on a fixed income can be a big concern when they retire, and nearly three-quarters of survey respondents who were 65 years old and older said that finding a lower cost of living was "extremely important" when they do retire.
"Households approaching retirement now have only about $14,000 set aside in retirement accounts, and elder poverty rates increase rapidly as people reach their mid-70s,” Rhee says.
Bankrate’s survey also uncovered the following findings:
Rural areas rule: A majority of those who live in the city and suburbs said they'd consider moving in retirement, but fewer than half of those living in rural communities said they'd move.
Midwest movers: The desire to move in retirement was significantly stronger among Midwesterners, where 68 percent of respondents said they'd consider moving. One in five Midwesterners cited a desire for nicer weather as the most important aspect of retirement.
The outdoor influence: Many of those surveyed said living near mountains, rivers, and outdoor recreation was important to them when they retire.
Staying active: Another 25 percent of people want access to a beach lifestyle in retirement while 18 percent said they want to retire near a university, museum, or place with other cultural activities.
