Hot Springs, Arkansas has enjoyed popularity as a spa resort, but its low cost of living also makes it of particular interest for retirees, according to geographer Warren Bland. The Arkansas town is No. 1 on Bland's list of the top 10 value towns for retirees in 2007.
The Central Arkansas location also is especially attractive to those with family in the Midwest.
To rank the towns, Bland uses 12 criteria: landscape, climate, quality of life, cost of living, transportation, retail services, health care, community services, cultural activities, recreational activities, work/volunteer activities and crime. Bland has also authored books on the topic, including "Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada."
Although people tend to think of places such as Florida and Arizona as obvious areas where people migrate to spend retirement, Bland said increased access to information about other parts of the country - and world - via the Internet has helped retirees expand their options when selecting where they'd like to live out their golden years.
"People are more sophisticated, more aware that you don't have to live in a hot, humid or hot, dry place . . . in order to enjoy your retirement," he said.
Comments(0)