Around the Block: 12/3/2021

Please note that I have not yet started receiving any of the mail, emails, or other contacts from AARP, and I am not sure at what age you start getting that kind of stuff from the American Association of Retired People, but I understand it is well before most people actually retire.

So why do I bring all this up? Because one of my clients just texted me a link from the AARP website, and she said, “Go Philly.” So, I was intrigued, and I opened it. I was pleased to learn that as of November 29, 2021, Philadelphia is one of the “Best Places to Live and Retire Now.” And it is actually a really informative and interesting article.

Those who know me know that I strongly believe that Philly is the best place to live in the United States (if not the world)! But as a hotbed of retirement? It actually makes sense. A few highlights from the piece—

The article’s sub-heading is: “Whether to work or retire, these communities deliver on the qualities we most want in a hometown.” Totally agree there. Love working here.

Then it goes on to say:

“Call it the Great Reassessment. Nearly two years of pandemic living have given Americans so much time to reconsider what makes a house a home and a zip code a neighborhood worth living in.

Over the years, AARP The Magazine has regularly reported on great places to live on a modest income. But in our first assessment since the pandemic began, we knew we had to amend the criteria. AARP’s Livable Communities team — which provides support to local leaders to help make cities and towns best-suited for people of all ages — and the AARP Public Policy Institute — which publishes the popular Livability Index used by real estate agents and home shoppers nationwide — worked with our editors to come up with 14 objective points of data by which to assess American communities in this new reality. From them, a set of communities emerged. It was full of surprises: a few big cities you might not expect to be retirement-friendly, and smaller towns that are hardly known outside their region.

Of course, numbers don’t reveal the intangibles that make communities special. So we gathered input from AARP’s state offices as well as from regional journalists. Ultimately, this process yielded a handful of communities that represent much of what we all look for in a place to call home: a comparatively low cost of living, great access to nature and recreation, relative ease of getting around, quality health care systems, and a strong sense of community. These are draws even if you aren’t nearing retirement; all of the featured communities have strong job markets or are good candidates for remote work.

‘We know that older adults and younger generations want similar things in the places they live,’ says Mike Watson, director of AARP Livable Communities.”

Ok, a few highlights here to discuss. First, this does not seem as if it is just some kind of popularity contest. They actually put careful thought, analysis, and data through the wringer. Second, I never realized that the oft-cited Livability Index was an AARP creation. I looked it up and sure enough, it is. So, AARP has some experience and credibility in the world of “best places to live.” Finally, the conclusion sums up Philly to a tee—low cost of living compared to other Northeast cities, superb access to nature and recreation, easy to get around (compared to other Northeast cities), quality health care, etc. And these are all key whether you are young or old, working or retired. Most people are looking for similar things.

Now for some highlights specific to Philly:

“Philadelphia may not seem like the most obvious place to settle down into retirement — the big, old, noisy East Coast city is as famous for its grumpy sports fans as for its history. But Philadelphians know their city as a green, welcoming, community-minded place.”

Yes. Yes. This is exactly right. And we did not really throw snowballs at Santa. That is not the whole story. Not to mention it was in the 1960s, and that silly fable still sticks. Green. Welcoming. Community-minded. Right on point.

“Of Philly’s 1.6 million residents, 300,000 are over 60. Their living costs, while slightly above the national average, are lower than in most East Coast cities, especially for housing. And the city offers notable access to health care, parks and culture.

Like any American city, Philadelphia contends with its share of crime and poverty. But AARP surveys found that almost 70 percent of Philadelphia’s older residents rate the city as ‘good’ to ‘excellent.’ Among America’s 10 biggest cities, only New York outscores Philadelphia on the AARP’s ‘livability index.'”

And while this is all accurate as well, I finally find something in this piece a little dubious. NYC outscores Philly on the livability index? Ok, whatever. No 2 is still pretty good. Personally, I would live in Philly over New York any day.

Go Philly, indeed!

So please enjoy your weekend in Philly or wherever you are. Be careful out there. Get vaxxed and wear your mask. I hope I am not writing about new open house restrictions in the coming weeks. That is for sure.

Warm regards,

Jeff

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