New Report: These Are the Most Livable Cities in the U.S. for Seniors
When it comes to a forever home, we all have different reasons for choosing a placeor for a place choosing us. We might have family ties, a fondness for a certain landscape, budget constraints or medical needs. Everything that’s important to you is important to where you should live as you age. But if you’re feeling geographically fickle, especially as you edge closer to retirement, it’s helpful to ask for advice from folks in the know.
Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN, a former oncology nurse and current death doula who has been at the bedside of over 1,000 dying patients, has insights to offer when it comes to the best cities for seniors. “As someone who works extensively with the aging population, I want to share my top three main concerns and findings for this population: isolation, nutrition and safety,” she says.
AARP’s Public Policy Institute took these factorsand much more!into consideration when it created the AARP Livability Index. If you’re hunting for the best places in America to retire, the index’s Top 100 list is a gold mine of information, ranking everything from cities with more than 500,000 people to small towns of 5,000 residents. Ahead, we’re breaking down the data and pointing you to the most livable cities for seniors nationwide.
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What is the AARP Livability Index, exactly?
AARP, a nonprofit organization focused on issues that affect Americans who are 50 and older, developed the Livability Index to rank communities based on seven key factors that affect older adults:
- Affordable, accessible housing
- Walkable, convenient neighborhoods
- Reliable public transit
- Clean environments
- Nearby health care
- Social activities
- Opportunities for growth
Within these seven categories, AARP used 61 indicators to determine a community’s livability scores.
“Using data from over 50 sources, AARP creates a clear picture of places where seniors can thrive independently, stay healthy and feel connected,” explains Brandon Blakeley, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Mirador Living, which helps people search for senior- and assisted-living communities. “This thoughtful, data-driven approach spotlights cities that truly prioritize senior livability, making it easier for older adults to find communities suited to their needs.”
How do you use the Livability Index?
To see how your city scores, enter your ZIP code into the Livability Index. The tool will reveal how your neighborhood ranks within those seven categories and subcategories around topics such as housing, transportation and health care.
Because livability doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone, the index also offers a customization tool, which you can use to select the factors that are most important to you, producing a list of livable cities that represent your wants and needs. Or you can try the community-finder quiz, which will walk you through the most critical livability characteristics and give you a list of communities to research and explore.
If America is your oyster, start by browsing the most livable states in the nation. Keep reading to find out where they are and what makes them such stellar cities for seniors.
Which city is the best to live in?
The best city to live inGreat Neck Plaza, Long Islandbeat out the competition with an overall score of 73 out of 100. One key note: For the sake of AARP’s Livability Index, the village of Great Neck Plaza was considered separate from other villages in the area with similar names, such as Great Neck, Great Neck Gardens and Great Neck Estates.
Because of its proximity to New York City, Great Neck Plaza is often thought of as a suburb or commuter town, but it’s also a highly livable place for seniors, in large part because of the abundance of amenities. “Great Neck Plaza has great accessibility to health care, lots of cultural and recreational activities, and good public transport,” says Christopher Norman, a board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging.
Norman points out that traffic may be a consideration for independent drivers due to the region’s population density, but public transportation and other factors make up for it. “Great Neck [Plaza] offers safety and a vibrant community life to further boost its livability, making it a top choice for seniors looking for a supportive place to live,” he says.
Why is Great Neck Plaza the most livable city?
Great Neck Plaza ranks in the top half of all communities for each of the seven key factors in the Livability Index. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this the most livable city for seniors.
Housing
Great Neck Plaza has a lot of senior-friendly housing options going for it. “[It] offers a variety of senior housing options, including affordable apartments and assisted-living facilities,” Blakeley says, pointing out that there are senior communities that provide both assisted-living and memory-care services, catering to diverse senior needs.
“Many older adults opt for retirement communities that offer the convenience of a built-in social life with organized events and proximity to other like-minded elders,” says Gary Small, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and the chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Such communities also provide a sense of safety and security.”
That said, retirement is expensive, and housing costs can really jack up the overall cost. That’s why it’s so important to find affordable places where you can retire comfortably. Unfortunately, this is the category where Great Neck Plaza did the worst, scoring 57 out of 100 for housing. Median monthly housing costs in this community are $1,706, nearly double the national average of $907. But, as noted above, there are other housing considerations besides cost.
Neighborhood
Great Neck Plaza scored an impressive 85 in the neighborhood category, which considers factors like access to grocery stores, farmers markets, parks, libraries and public transportation. On paper, Great Neck Plaza is considered a small town with a population of only 7,443, but it’s part of a dense metropolitan areait’s only 22 miles from midtown Manhattan, making it a vibrant place to live.
“Loners do not do well at any time in life, especially during retirement,” says Dr. Small. “Many retirees fail to appreciate the social support and connections they enjoyed each day while on the job, and they may feel isolated and lonely during retirement.”
Transportation
Great Neck Plaza also scores high when it comes to transportationa whopping 86 out of 100. “Taking note of transportation options, as well social and entertainment opportunities, is an important strategy,” Dr. Small says. “If you have a car, is the traffic a barrier to getting where you want to go? Is public transport convenient and reliable?”
Great Neck Plaza has impressive public transportation, with 88.2 trains or buses per hour. And 85.7% of stations and vehicles meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Because public transit is so abundant and accessible, household transportation costs average $11,441 per year, compared with a national average of $16,860. “The bus system is very well run and really caters to the senior population, allowing them to travel anywhere and for a reasonable fee,” O’Brien says.
In addition, the speed limit in Great Neck Plaza is 25 mph, resulting in very few fatal crashes per year. Another way transportation is keeping older adults healthy? The village is one of the country’s most walkable neighborhoods, scoring 15.29 (out of 20) for walkability.
Environment
Great Neck Plaza’s environment score is 76, mainly because of good-quality air and water. “Air pollution is linked to a variety of illnesses common in the later years, including stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia and cataracts,” Dr. Small says. “I advise those planning for retirement to check out whether the air and water are clean in any area they are considering.”
Great Neck Plaza also has no local industrial pollution and no pollution linked to high-traffic roads. Regionally, it has 0.3 days of unhealthy air quality per year. (The U.S. average is 3.9 days.)
“Well-maintained parks and green spaces, such as Grace Avenue Park, provide pleasant environments for recreation and relaxation,” Blakeley says. “The village’s commitment to cleanliness and environmental quality contributes to a healthy living atmosphere.”
Health
Great Neck Plaza also scores high for health, an 80 out of 100. Almost all residents (99.2% of them) have access to exercise opportunities, and smoking and obesity prevalence are well below national averages.
The most impressive data point is that Great Neck Plaza scores a zero in health-care-professional shortages. Just how notable is that? The national average is a score of 12 out of 25. “Access to quality health care is ensured with nearby facilities like North Shore University Hospital, offering comprehensive medical services,” Blakeley says. “Local clinics and specialized senior-care services further support residents’ health needs.”
Dr. Small points out that common age-related illnesses can disrupt an older person’s retirement years, especially if they have inadequate access to health-care services. “You may be pining to settle into a beachfront property but can only afford one in an isolated, rural area far from a major medical center,” he says. “If you suffer from a chronic illness, that would not be the best choice for you.”
He recommends that retirees do some research on the area’s medical resources because a lack of services isn’t something you want to deal with after you’ve moved. “Some people prefer to settle in their hometown, where they find comfort in knowing their doctors and health-care facilities,” Dr. Small says.
Engagement
At 64, Great Neck Plaza’s engagement score is a bit lower than its other scores. While 94.8% of residents have high-speed, competitively priced internet service (which fosters connection), the village is only average when it comes to the voting rate, opportunities for civic involvement, social involvement and cultural institutions. Luckily, Great Neck Plaza is in close proximity to New York City, where engagement opportunities are abundant.
“I knew a couple that wanted to enjoy the theater, art, music and other cultural opportunities of a large metropolis but were uncomfortable about the threat of crime in the city,” Dr. Small says. “They found a nearby suburb with public transportation, and the city was a convenient train ride from their cozy suburban village.” That’s essentially what you get in Great Neck Plaza.
Opportunity
Great Neck Plaza scored 64 in this category and is average in most subcategories, such as income inequality, jobs per worker, high school graduation rate and age diversity.
“The village’s economic stability and access to educational resources, including libraries and cultural institutions, provide seniors with opportunities for personal growth and lifelong learning,” Blakeley says. “Volunteer programs and community-involvement initiatives further enhance residents’ quality of life.”
What other cities rounded out the top 10?
If you checked your town’s ranking on the platform, you might have been concerned to see a score in the 60s. That’s not even a passing grade in school! But consider the context: With the most livable location scoring 73, a ranking in the 60s might not be too far from the top of the list.
These are the top 10 most livable cities in America, plus their scores:
- Great Neck Plaza, New York: 73
- Aspen, Colorado: 70
- Gunnison, Colorado: 69
- Montpelier, Vermont: 68
- Takoma Park, Maryland: 68
- Falls Church, Virginia: 68
- Fairview, New Jersey: 68
- La Crescent, Minnesota: 68
- Winterset, Iowa: 68
- Cliffside Park, New Jersey: 68
Interestingly, nine of those cities are in the “small” category, with populations between 5,000 and 24,999. Coming in at No. 10 overall, Cliffside Park, New Jersey, ranks highest among mid-size cities, which have populations of 25,000 to 99,999. When it comes to large cities (with populations of 100,000 to 499,999), Arlington, Virginia, took the top slot, with a score of 66. San Francisco ranked highest among very large cities (those with populations of 500,000 or more).
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Sources:
- AARP: “AARP Livability Index Top 100”
- AARP: “AARP Public Policy Institute”
- Christopher Norman, board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging; email interview, November 2024
- Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN, registered nurse, founder and CEO of Doulagivers Institute and author of The Good Death; email interview, November 2024
- Brandon Blakeley, co-founder and chief technology officer of Mirador Living; email interview, November 2024
- Gary Small, MD, geriatric psychiatrist, chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center and author of more than a dozen books, including The Longevity Bible; email interview, November 2024
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