We’ve got you covered! Check it out:

New Orleans: Best city for retirees

  • Population (metro area): 1.12 million
  • Unemployment rate: 7.2%
  • Cost-of-living index: 95.7
  • Median household income: $47,188
  • Doctors per 100,000 people: 136

 

 

We always knew it, but now the nation is getting up to speed about the progress of the New Orleans metro area.  Its rebounding population has certainly led to a boom of newly constructed and refurbished homes and not to mention new infrastructure.

Kiplinger and Kevin Stolarick, the research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute teamed up to get these results of the best cities for every stage in life.  They rank the New Orleans metro area at the very top when it comes to retirees.

Why? Well, here are a few reasons.  The state itself offers tax breaks to retirees.  Social Security and federal government and military retirement benefits are tax-free and property taxes are low.

Of course, people love and gravitate towards the north shore and Metairie for a nice calm pace in life.  No matter where you end up residing – north or south shore – you are always just a drive away from the history that makes our area so unique such as the French Quarter, jazz, our beautiful lakes, marsh land and world class restaurants, just to name a few things.

Other top cities:

Best city for young adults:  Madison, WI

  • Population (metro area): 568,593
  • Unemployment rate: 4.9%
  • Cost-of-living index: 108.2
  • Median household income: $58,775
  • Average rent (one-bedroom apartment): $849

Best city for midcareer professionals: Washington, D.C.

  • Population (metro area): 5.58 million
  • Unemployment rate: 5.3%
  • Cost-of-living index: 136.3
  • Median household income: $84,424

Income growth (2006-11): 15.8%

Best city for families: Des Moines, IA

  • Population (metro area): 569,633
  • Unemployment rate: 5%
  • Cost-of-living index: 91.3
  • Median household income: $57,185
  • Student-teacher ratio: 14.5

Best city for empty nesters:  Portland, ME

  • Population (metro area): 514,098
  • Unemployment rate: 6.4%
  • Cost-of-living index: 113.1
  • Median household income: $54,431
  • Restaurants per 100,000 people: 263

Some statistics:

Nationwide, the median price of an existing, single-family home is $157,000.  The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $959, median income is $43,024, and median income growth from 2006 to 2011 was 11.1%. The national unemployment rate is 8.2%.

 

Kim Higgins – ABR, CRS, e-Pro
Keller Williams Realty Services
1522 W. Causeway Approach
Mandeville, LA 70471
Cell: 985.705.1910
www.KimHiggins.com
www.KimHiggins.com/blog

Follow Me On....