5 Cities With a High Quality of Life for Single and Childfree Retirees

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Americans age 65 or older head more than 11% of one-person households in the U.S., according to data from the most recent Census. When deciding where to retire, these singles often prioritize opportunities for social interaction and entertainment to ward off loneliness and boredom. Cities can check all the boxes for these individuals. Childfree retirees, married or not, also might opt for city living, and perhaps even take advantage of their flexibility to relocate to a different part of the country.

U.S. News & World Report recently reported on cities with the highest populations of seniors. If you’re looking to retire to a place with plenty of things to do and plenty of people to do them with, one of these cities could be a perfect fit.

New York

In talking about cities with lots of single seniors, it makes sense that New York City would top the list. The New York metro area, which includes Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, is home to more than a million older singles

While housing and other costs can be high in New York, you can live outside the city and use public transportation to travel back and forth.

Los Angeles

Maybe you’re looking for more of a relaxed environment. In Los Angeles, you can find nice weather, outstanding healthcare facilities and a healthy outdoor lifestyle — plus access to the glitz and glamor of the movie industry. Nearly 60% of women and 33% of men age 65 and older are currently single in the LA area, according to U.S News.

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Chicago

Perhaps the Midwest is more your style for retirement. Sure, you’ll need to brave harsh winters, but the city sees plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures in the spring, summer and fall. In addition to lots of single seniors, Chicago is home to world-famous restaurants and cultural experiences.

Miami

Here’s another city with beautiful weather to look at for retirement. As one of the country’s top retirement destinations, Miami is packed with single seniors.

Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, “more than half of women (58%) and almost a third of men (33%) age 65 and older are currently single,” according to U.S. News. Historic sites and museums provide a wealth of volunteering opportunities that can help you make friends and take advantage of all the city has to offer.

Another perk is Philadelphia’s location between New York and Washington, D.C. Both cities are a relatively short train ride away, so you can spend as much time as you want while enjoying Philly’s substantially lower living costs.

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