The Best Counties for Seniors in the Real Estate Game

Since 60% of senior citizens will need long-term care and exceptional amenities, U.S. counties are building large retirement communities or creating age-appropriate facilities for detached home residents. Unlike the room-based assisted living homes from the past, current real estate companies prioritize their hobbies and desires and build properties based on that.  

Top 5 Counties to Call Home After Retirement 

1. Anderson County, SC 

Anderson County attracts golf-loving active seniors from metropolitan cities looking for low property tax - the county has an average of 0.59% property tax and 4 golf courses, with another 8 courses within 20 miles. Residents can enjoy 93-year-old Anderson Country Club and pools all year long - courtesy of the county’s mild, warm weather. Moreover, pro-golfers won’t have dull moments as the challenging Cobb's Glen Golf Course can keep them busy for months.

The cost of living in Anderson (16% lower than the U.S. average) helps retirees live comfortably in scenic golf communities - enjoying the country club amenities and surrounding natural wonders, such as Rocky River Nature Park and Lake Hartwell. From single-story homes and lakeside estates to condos and assisted living facilities, Anderson County has everything for all pensioners, with the median home price being $285,000. 

2. Lancaster County, PA

Hailed as 2023’s third-best retirement area in the U.S., Lancaster has plenty of 55+ communities - emphasizing fitness, crafts, and social activities. Additionally, it provides care communities where pets and day-long family visitation are allowed. The vicinity of metros (including Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.) lets the children and grandchildren visit frequently, making Lancaster the appropriate retirement destination.

Lancaster County has many historical entertainment options for elders, including the  National Civil War Museum, National Watch and Clock Museum, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, an Amish community, the Strasburg Rail Road, and more. If retirees want to experience diversity, cultural events, international cuisine, and unique businesses, there is no place better than Lancaster. Moreover, spending time at natural wonders - walking hiking trails, biking paths, going to Columbia Crossings River Trails Center - decreases the chance of brain fog and improves sleep quality.  

3. Putnam County, NY

Putnam County is a close-knit community of fixed residents (83% homeowners) where retirees get a sense of bonding and collaborative living. The proximity to world-class healthcare facilities (New York - Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital) and natural attractions (like the Hudson River, lakes, and reservoirs) make it the perfect retirement location. Also, the accessibility to major highways and roads such as I-84, Taconic State Parkway, Route 6, and Route 22 lets the residents enjoy all the perks of living in N.Y. 

Even though there are plenty of assisted living facilities, senior residents settle upon their independent homes because of the versatile residential property collection, ranging from vintage cottages, Cape Cod, Colonial, and Mid-century modern to many more. Also, Putnam County’s schools (ranked 3rd out of 57 in the best school category) encourage the children of the retirees to live nearby and promote a family-centric atmosphere with generational bonds. 

4. Sarasota County, FL

The Floridian sun, zero state income tax, and stunning beaches are enough to call Sarasota a retirement paradise, and the median resident age of 64 proves this. If you want to live the coastal life hopping around magnificent beaches, then Sarasota’s six barrier islands and surrounding beaches (Siesta Key, Venice, Manasota Key) will amaze you. The fine dining experience and versatile cultural events are bound to keep seniors cheerful and invigorated.

From high-security gated communities and vintage 1920s houses to waterfront condos featuring fitness centers, parks, and healthcare, the county has all types of properties to lure retirees in. 

Even though Sarasota is no stranger to hurricanes, red tide, and mosquitoes, the county management ensures safety through regular Aerial (plane) treatments for mosquito removal and they also alert the residents before red tide and hurricanes. 

5. Henrico County, VA

Gone are the days of passing retirement in a room and searching for a hobby to stay active. Agrihoods, based on farmland or conservation, from Henrico County revolutionized the life of active retirees. Apart from growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, this county's agriculture-driven retirement communities offer various activities including boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking.  

Henrico County’s Glen Allen has the Chickahominy Falls agri-community, where house prices start at $350,000, and these single-storied compact carriages and cottages are easy to maintain.  In such a community, retirees never feel alone as they grow crops together, share communal meals, and enjoy festivals at the community hall. Moreover, baby boomers can visit nearby Civil War battlefields and reminisce about their ancestral memories. 

How Does Living in Retirement-friendly Neighborhoods Offer a Hassle-free Home Maintenance Lifestyle?

From curbside landscaping (like snow shoveling, pest control, and lawn mowing) to household responsibilities (like cooking, cleaning, organizing, and doing repairs), the retirement community association will handle it so that retirees have to do minimal property upkeep. Moreover, senior citizens living in a detached house in a heavily retiree populated area enjoy the same perks through various programs, such as FL’s Community Care for the Elderly (CCE). 

By 2029, baby boomers will be 20% of the U.S. population. Therefore, it is crucial to build senior-centered neighborhoods that incorporate entertaining activities, foster communal bonds, and provide healthcare facilities to ensure the security and well-being of senior citizens.