Golden Years
This is how Dallas scores among America's best and worst cities to retire 2018
Reaching retirement age has long been a benchmark of success for the American worker. Then comes the burning question: "Where do I retire?" A new study from personal finance website WalletHub shows that Texas holds some appeal for retirees, but they may feel more tepid about Dallas itself.
On August 14, WalletHub released its report on 2018's Best & Worst Places to Retire, and Texas comes in at No. 22 in the overall state rankings. Dallas, however, barely made the top 50 cities in the U.S., coming in at No. 46.
To determine the top places for retirement, WalletHub used a Gallup Poll, Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey, and other data to rank 182 U.S. cities.
Austin was the only Texas city to score a top 10 spot. Coming in at No. 8, the Capital City earned a total score of 55.8, and ranked 38th in affordability, 30th in activities, 52nd in quality of life, and 73rd in health care.
Dallas scored a total of 51.8, ranking 63rd in affordability, 38th in activities, 97th in quality of life, and 107th in health care. Ouch.
Only a handful of other Lone Star cities made the top 50. At No. 33 is Grand Prairie, which scored a total of 52.9, just ahead of Colorado Springs, Colorado. San Antonio came in at No. 35.
Considering its reputation, Florida took the majority of top spots with Orlando coming in at No. 1. Scottsdale, Arizona (No. 2); Tampa, Florida (No. 3); Denver, Colorado (No. 4); and Fort Lauderdale (No. 5) round out the top five cities.
As the study points out, it's becoming increasingly difficult to get to retirement. According to the 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey, only two in three U.S. workers feel confident in their retirement savings, and the average age for retirement has jumped from 60 to 66 since 1995. "The alternative? Relocate to an area where you can stretch your dollar without sacrificing your lifestyle," write WalletHub.
The worst place to retire? That would be Newark, New Jersey. The New York City suburb came in last with a score of 33.8.