For many Americans, retirement is the time to relax and enjoy life in a quiet environment away from the hustle and bustle of the cities: you’ve already worked for more than 35 years and contributed to Social Security (or to your private retirement, such as a 401(k), for example) and you already want to sit down and rest. What a great dream, isn’t it?
According to a study conducted in 2022, 45% of Americans expressed a desire to retire in a small city or by the sea, in contrast to only 10% who preferred big cities. In this regard, GoBankingRates.com he conducted a survey in various communities in the United States, with populations between 1,000 and 10,000 residents, evaluating aspects such as income, quality of life, monthly expenses, crime rates and habitability.
The goal was to find out which were the best small towns to retire in. As a result, the winning community is located in Pennsylvania, and here’s all you need to know about it, if you’re looking for the place for the perfect retirement.
The Nicest Place to Retire? A Small Town in Pennsylvania
Camp Hill is a charming community located in the Cumberland Valley, along the Susquehanna River, in Pennsylvania. With a population of around 8,000 residents, according to the most recent data available. This picturesque place offers a quiet and pleasant environment for those who are looking for a relaxed lifestyle and close to nature, that is, it is the ideal destination for the perfect retirement.
A friendly and family atmosphere is what floats in the air in Camp Hill, because its tree-lined streets and scenic landscapes make it an ideal destination for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
One of the highlights of Camp Hill is its strategic location in the Cumberland Valley region. This gives its residents easy access to various attractions and activities, such as hiking in the nearby mountains, boating on the Susquehanna River, and visits to historical and cultural sites in the area. it has more than a dozen parks and public trails and is just 25 minutes from Roundtop Mountain Resort, with ski slopes for skiers of all levels and ages.
According to the website mentioned above, retirees need an average of about $3,356 to cover their monthly expenses if they live in Camp Hill, of which about $1,454 is for housing, in case they rent (if they own, the costs are different, certainly lower. Consider that the average home price is $302,958.) The city’s quality of life score is 92, with a total crime rate of only 9.4 per capita, one of the lowest in the country.
Other Nice Places to Retire in the US
Northville, in Michigan, has taken the second place in the list of BankingRates.com , with an outstanding habitability score of 86. This charming city is located west of Detroit and offers an attractive environment for retirees, with an estimated monthly cost of $3,383, of which $1,545 is intended for rent.
On the other hand, the bronze medal is held by Fort Mitchell in Kentucky, part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Despite having an equally high liveability score of 86, monthly costs in Fort Mitchell are slightly lower than in Northville, with a total of $3,347 and $1,495 going to housing, respectively.