Best Cities for Homebuyers 55 and Older
Homeowners 55 and up have changing needs when it comes to their homes. This survey picked out the top cities to meet those needs.
When your kids move out and you have the house all to yourself, suddenly it feels like a whole lot more house than you actually need. Should you stay or downsize and move to a more walkable, aging-friendly area?
The best way to decide is to see what options are out there. There are at least 40 cities that feature the affordability and amenities homebuyers over 55 are looking for, according to a recent report from Opendoor.
Online realtor Opendoor looked at the most aging-friendly cities in the U.S. to find the locations that balance affordability, healthcare access, neighborhood safety, climate and other factors that make aging in these cities comfortable and enjoyable.
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What makes a city aging-friendly?
The best cities for homeowners 55 and up are ones where the cost of living is below the national average so your fixed income can stretch further. It's also one with robust healthcare access to meet the needs of its aging population. Beyond those basics, you should choose a city with a climate and social life that matches your preferences. Here are the criteria used in the Opendoor report that ranked the top 40 cities for older homeowners:
- $400,000 or less median home value
- Below average cost of living. So, lower prices for groceries, utilities, property taxes and so on.
- Strong healthcare access, including multiple hospitals and close access to a variety of specialists.
- Safety. The report ranked cities by crime rates and how walkable the neighborhoods are.
- Community activities. The report looked for places with lots of cultural events, university programs, senior centers and other activities to keep you engaged.
Best cities for homebuyers 55 and up
With those criteria in mind, Opendoor pulled the top cities for 55+ homeowners in different regions across the United States so you can narrow down the search based on the climate and general region you're hoping to live in:
5 aging-friendly cities in the northeast
- Hermitage, Pennsylvania
- Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- Utica, New York
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Pittsfield, Massachusetts
5 aging-friendly cities in the southeast
- Punta Gorda, Florida
- Sebring, Florida
- Aiken, South Carolina
- Alexandria, Louisiana
- Danville, Virginia
5 aging-friendly cities in the midwest
- Albert Lea, Minnesota
- Toledo, Ohio
- Bay City, Michigan
- Mason City, Iowa
- Muncie, Indiana
5 aging-friendly cities in the southwest
- Las Vegas, New Mexico (Yes, there's one in New Mexico)
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Kingman, Arizona
- Eagle Pass, Texas
- Lake Havasu City, Arizona
5 aging-friendly cities on the west coast
The Opendoor report used a loose definition of the "west coast" for this study. None of the cities that ranked in the top five are in a state touching the coast. But they're close enough that you could take affordable vacations to the coast when you want that beach experience, without having to pay the higher prices to actually live near the coast.
- Pocatello, Idaho
- Twin Falls, Idaho
- Carson City, Nevada
- Pueblo, Colorado
- Great Falls, Montana
What makes a home age-friendly?
If moving is looking unrealistic for you right now, it might be worth looking into tapping your home equity to make some aging-friendly upgrades to your existing home.
Less than half (40%) of U.S. homes have even the most basic features to be considered aging-ready. Although the many aging homeowners prefer to downsize in the next few years, they feel stuck in their current homes due to rising home prices, a competitive market or an unwillingness to give up their existing low mortgage rate.
Many Boomers whose homes have surged in value over the past several years might also face tremendous capital gains tax bills when they sell, and smaller houses or apartments in the neighborhoods they’ve come to love are scarce.
So, what makes up an aging-friendly home?
According to Aging In Place, an age-friendly home or apartment includes innovative solutions to help older adults live independent lives in their own homes. Just a few features of an age-friendly home include:
- No-step entrances
- Wide doorways
- Rocker style light switches
- Easy-to-read thermostats
- No-slip flooring
- Roll-in shower stalls
- Grab bars
- Lower kitchen cabinets
- One-level living
- Few steps
Are you a Boomer considering moving but still unsure about one of the top ten aging-friendly cities listed here? Before making a decision, check out the Best Places to Retire in the U.S. and the Worst Places to Retire in the U.S.
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