10 worst states to retire in

Isn't it humerous that the same "worst" states also have the cities most affordable for retirees?  Not a whole lot of thinking going on in these articles with regard to the big picture

How can half these states be worst and best? Don't any of you read!

You know what  . . . I think 90% of those of you who responded to this article should run for congress. Most of you make sense as opposed to the article's nonsense.   I have lived in Texas, Tennessee and FL and if it were not for having to take care of my aging parents, would not be in the most taxed state in the union - California.  For all the tree huggers who live in CA the legal paperwork required to draw up a simple lease run ELEVEN pages. Three in Florida, two in Texas and four in TN.   Don't even think of coming to California if you are not married and want to be. As they say " Ain't gonna happen" unless you own a home , drive an expensive car and be willing to travel the world on your dime.  When I grew up in Southern California all my friends were from CA. Now the state is infested with obnoxious North Easterners. Go to a footbal game in TN and it will be mostly Orange and White. Go to the Rose Bowl and over half will be rooting for the other team.

Of all eight of the states I have lived in California is by far the most expensive and were it not for the weather the most disapointing for those considering retirement.

Here, let me help those of you (potatoe heads) who have an ignorance about the South, and those who have an unsophisticated palate for Southern delicacies.  .

BTW, did anyone take the time to actually read the article? This is why they put southern states on the worst list:

 

"Don't retire here

The number of people living BELOW poverty level is not a great place to want to live for older folks and most of the south is living below poverty level. That's why they vote REPUBLICAN!!! GO FIGURE!

screw whoever wrote this, they pretty much just **** on the entire south

 
Trust me when you are elderly you are going to need some hospital care sooner or later. I was with a loved one in Cali who was hospitalized for 3 months and it was the most horrific experience of my life and theirs' not to mention the care they received. I was with the same person at a hospital in Louisiana the difference was amazing. The nurses & docs were kind & compassionate unlike the ones in Cali, don't get me wrong there were some in Cali that were wonderful,but few, in Louisiana everyone was.

For a retireee couple with income under $30k/yr and a fully paid for home and no other debts, the south is the only place you really can retire to and be reasonably comfortable.  At $50k/yr, you can live not like a king, but pretty good, again if you have the home paid for and no other debts.  This assumes you are reasonably healthy.

 

There are alot of places in the north, like central wisconsin and others where $50k/yr goes a long ways.  The biggest factors are property taxes, income taxes and sales tax in that order.  Evaluate those three factors specific to your income and spending patterns before choosing.  Downside of the north is the rotten winters.  Downside of the far south is the summer heat and humidity. 

 

No matter where you live, a retiree on modest income has to go into retirement with zero debt.  That means zero.  And a fully paid for reliable car good for the next 10 years.  And of course, at least catastrophic health insurance if you are not yet covered by medicare.

 

Again, zero debt is HUGE.  HUGE.

This article is bogus.  You basically just told everyone not to retire in one of the 10 poorest states.  If you have done a good job in saving for retirement these states are great to enjoy the rest of your life in.  Not only do most of them conceed in the southern states, where people are generally more pleasant, and are able to slow down and enjoy life, but you can purchase a nice house for $100 or less per square foot.  Everyone where you go is going to have crime and poverty, so keep your house locked and continue adding to your 401k.