America’s fastest-growing retirement hotspots – and none are in Florida

Retiree Darius McLintock clearly explains why life in Mesa is great: the crime rate is low, the hospitals are excellent, the houses are cheap and it almost never rains.

The Arizona city was the most popular destination for seniors last year.

McLintock also pointed to the city’s low unemployment rate, the diverse natural beauty of the nearby mountains and desert and the lack of extreme weather events such as tornadoes.

These factors may be what have made Mesa the fastest-growing retirement hotspot in the U.S., a new report finds from SmartAsset has revealed.

The report has revealed where retirees are fleeing and flowing to, based on the latest census data available.

Mesa, Arizona – City with the Most New Seniors

Just 20 miles east of Phoenix, Mesa boasts high homeownership rates among seniors, abundant arts and cultural amenities, and dozens of nearby golf courses.

It is therefore no wonder that the city attracted the largest influx of retirees in 2022.

The influx was 50 percent greater than any other city in the country, with 4,453 people moving to this safe haven in just one year.

“Mesa has an ideal climate for an active lifestyle, with 300 days of sunshine a year, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and golfing,” says real estate expert Diana Benson about the benefits of retiring in the city.

“Mesa’s cost of living is affordable,” Benson explained. “Housing options range from budget apartments to luxury retirement communities.”

“Mesa also does not collect sales tax on food, unlike neighboring communities,” she added.

According to a SmartAsset survey, 23 percent of Mesa’s population is now 60 or older.

Florida – State That Attracted The Most New Retirees

The Sunshine State, long a favorite among the over-60s, welcomed the most retirees of any state in 2022.

In 2022, Florida welcomed 77,000 new retirees to the state, more than three times more than any other state.

According to WalletHub, the state is attractive to the population because of its low taxes, favorable weather and affordable healthcare. The state was also named the best state to retire in by WalletHub.

The state also has a low crime rate and a growing economy. The population, of which 28.4 percent is over 60, has grown significantly in recent years.

While the state has designated retirement communities like The Villages, other towns and cities have attracted people over 60 with their selection of restaurants and accessible beaches.

St. Petersburg, with its popular fishing towns and beautiful beaches, attracted 1,662 retirees in 2022 alone.

Arizona – state is also a magnet for seniors

Arizona saw the second highest influx of retirees, with 23,515 in the year.

Among them is Gary Mitchell, 70, who moved to the state from Hawaii two years ago with his wife, Carmen.

“We’re doing great, no stress, no pressure,” Gary told Fox News.

“I really like this place,” Carmen said. ‘I feel safe. We’re not leaving here.’

The couple moved to Maricopa, a suburb of Phoenix, just 56 miles from Mesa, in June 2021.

Gary told the publication that many of his neighbors are Californians who have fled the state’s notoriously high housing prices.

The average home price in California was $749,970, compared to Arizona’s average listing of $440,000 at the time of the Mitchells’ move.

Arizona’s mountains, deserts and forests also attract retirees looking for a connection with nature.

The world-famous golf courses, popular concerts and sporting events also offer a range of activities for the over-60s looking for an active retirement.

Maine – state with the highest percentage of retirees

However, Maine has the most retirees, with 30 percent of the state’s population now of retirement age.

The state’s natural beauty, with its rugged coastline and picturesque seaside towns, attracts over-60s looking for a quiet retirement, hiking and nature viewing.

Maine also has the lowest cost of living in New England and a relatively low crime rate.

Vermont and Delaware follow closely with 29.8 and 28.5 percent, respectively.

The cities that the elderly are fleeing from

A general trend is that retirees are leaving the city and moving to smaller towns and the countryside.

Of any city in the country, Cambridge, Massachusetts has the most retirees moving.

The city experienced a net loss of 1,674 people aged 60 and over in 2022.

Closely followed by Wilmington, North Carolina, which suffered a net loss of 1,097, the second highest loss in the country relative to its size.

During the same period, Longmont, Colorado ranked third in the number of retirees who died during the same period.