Where should you settle and retire: the best places to grow old

So, where should you go? Florida Nursing Homes California nursing homes
A retirement community? While the answer may be different depending on individual needs, the story for retirees is that retirement in areas such as Florida and Arizona, retirement hot spots, are being delayed due to the fact that so much of the baby boomers' retirement accounts has been depleted.
It's a bummer for many who are going to have to put in a few more years working than they originally thought. While most retirement accounts are completely gone, they are significantly decreased and thus will need to time to replenish. For those wanting to retire without working those few extra years, they have to rethink their retirement plans.

So, folks are looking at more affordable hot spots to move. While warm-climates in Arizona, Florida and Hawaii remain high on retirees' lists, most are returning to locations they've lived in the past or to college or commuter suburbs.

What do retired people generally even look for when choosing where to spend their days growing old? Well, first and foremost, when you are getting older you might need closer and easier access to medical care so that is what people are looking for. They want to know they can be quickly and easily taken care of should the need arise. A healthy economy is important to these folks as well. They don't want to go to somewhere struggling. They are leaving the grind of a normal work week to relax and enjoy their second life - they don't want the stress associated with a bad economy. Finally, they are looking for areas in which they can fulfill a life's goal, dream or a second act to their life. This might include community service, mission work or maybe a volunteer opportunity. They will go to a place that would allow them to explore the options associated with this type of work.

Interestingly, we are finding that some elders are moving in with their children because, due to the problems with the current economy and the high unemployment, their children need their help, or, because of depleted retirement savings it's a benefit for them as well. Perhaps this has been a way to bring families closer together and to drive people into caring for one another. Or, maybe families are being driven crazy by one another - but, it's all in love, right?

While you hear complaints around the office that many are losing 401(k) balances and fear the crashing stock market, however, there is hope. Many baby boomers still have investments and are keeping positive that they will still make a comeback. Not all hope is lost. Yes, the economy does take a negative turn from time to time, but we always bounce back. And, most importantly, we will look out for each other until it does. Families coming together, businesses staying strong and looking out for its employees and communities helping each other to make a difference. The good stories are out there and we need to cling to those for our hope in the future. So, where is the best place to grow old? Perhaps across the country from you. Perhaps in your own backyard. It may just be a different answer for each individual.

Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity www.innuity.com. For more information regarding Florida Nursing Homes or California nursing homes go to Great Places