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Data & Research February 21, 2012
Healthcare Services Top Priority for Boomers Relocating in Retirement
One-third of Baby Boomers are open to relocating to find the
lifestyle they are looking for in retirement.
Reported by Tara Cantore
According to a survey conducted for the Consumer Federation of the Southeast, 96% of respondents said top-quality healthcare services are “very” or “somewhat” important to them in considering a relocation destination. Affordable housing ranks second, with nearly 92% ranking that as a “very” or “somewhat” important criterion.
Other reasons Boomers consider relocation in retirement include:
• A warm, welcoming year-round climate is “very” or “somewhat” important to 85.5%, but a strong plurality of this group want their warm summers to be paired with a few cooler months.
• Low local taxes are “very” or “somewhat” important to 81.1%.
• Eight out of 10 relocating Boomers are looking for affordable recreational opportunities in a relocation destination, and about the same number are looking for strong local services for elder care.
Also important to relocating Boomers are the size of the community (seven in 10 prefer a mid-size or small town); arts and cultural opportunities (three in four); beaches or ocean nearby (six in 10); and about half are seeking access to life-long learning educational opportunities. Also, approximately half say a community that welcomes diversity is “very” or “somewhat” important.
Almost 54% of respondents indicated that the weak economy was not delaying their retirement plans. But, about 36% of respondents said that the economy had delayed their retirement.
Pollsters asked respondents to name — unprompted and with no suggested options — a state they might consider relocating to for retirement. About 18% mentioned Florida as a top relocation destination.
The survey, conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research between November 14 and 22, 2011, surveyed 1,100 Americans ages 47 to 65 who said they would relocate in retirement, were considering relocation or weren’t sure. All respondents surveyed lived in the eastern half of the U.S., outside of Florida.
For full survey results, visit http://consumerfederationse.com/2012/02/01/new-poll-shows-what-baby-boomers-want.