Edited by CHRISTINA LOUROSA-RICARDO
This article is syndicated from the Wall Street Journal on line, click here for a copy of the original article.
Not too long ago, the whole point of retirement was not working. But today’s retirees are increasingly counting themselvesamong the job seekers.
That’s why SmartMoney.com’s second annual survey of the best places to retire comes with a twist. We’ve analyzed tax rates, cost-of-living numbers and real-estate prices to compile a list of less expensive alternatives to several traditional retirement hotspots. But this year we also combed for relatively low unemployment rates and thriving job opportunities for seniors.
Here are some of our picks:
Santa Fe, N.M. Unlike trendier Sedona, an Arizona town often touted as a best place to retire, unemployment is just 5.3% in Santa Fe, thanks to the state capital’s thriving tourism business and government payroll.
Santa Fe is dotted with 240 art galleries and is the home of Art Santa Fe, an international art fair that attracts buyers and tourists from around the globe.
For retirees who want to work, tourism-related jobs are a good bet, says Steve Lewis, a spokesman for the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors
Bureau.
Lincoln, Neb. This is the quintessential Midwestern town—friendly people, college football and picturesque landscapes. Residents take a brimming pride in their city’s low crime rate and accessible natural beauty, including 10 nearby lakes and more than 99 miles of recreational trails.
And it boasts an unemployment rate of just 3.6%. The University of Nebraska; government jobs; as well as a
sizable corporate presence, including Kawasaki and Assurity Life Insurance, help keep employment stable. Housing prices have remained
relatively flat since 2007, with a two-bedroom home now running for about $115,000.
Portland, Maine. Portland’s culture and natural beauty rivals popular Northampton, Mass.’s, thanks to miles of coastline, the popular fishing area of Sebago Lake and a smattering of islands around the coast.
Unemployment is well below the national average, with many big employers, such as Maine Medical Center, TD Bank and clothing company
L.L. Bean.
Jupiter, Fla.Jupiter has pristine beaches, year-round warm weather, golf courses and shopping as does more popular Naples, but is about half the price to live in, according to data from Sperling’s Best Places.
With a jobless rate of 8%, Jupiter fares better than most of Florida. The area benefits from hosting the spring training seasons of the
Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals baseball teams, as well as biotech companies like the Scripps Institute.
—Catey Hill, SmartMoney.com
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