In honor of Grandparents Day this coming weekend, it seems like the right time to discuss where American grandparents spend their days.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2010 that there are about 70 million grandparents in the United States, taking up 37 percent of American households. Grandparents aren’t just letting the days pass by, either.
About one in 14 American children (about 5.4 million kids overall) are being raised by their grandparents, according to the Population Reference Bureau, which is up from the 4.7 million kids who were raised that way in 2005. And with many grandparents relocating closer to their grandkids, living in the city is something that’s bound to happen more and more for many of America’s elderly.
Where grandparents live, though, and what cities they find to be entertaining, enthralling and accommodating is a different question. Here are several cities that your grandparents may be living in or may want to live in for retirement.
Tucson, Arizona
Want some better scenery and cheaper living now that you’ve stopped working? Tucson, Arizona, may be the spot for you. Boasting some beautiful mountains and landscapes, coupled with a cost of living well below the U.S. national average, Tucson is home to many retirees — ranking as the top city in a list of cities with the happiest retirees on grandparents.com.
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, has a slew of advantages for the retired and older folks, according to Top Retirements, a retirement information website. The City of Roses features a flux of homes that retirees can enjoy, mostly because they’re on bodies of water or near other American treasures, like forests and mountains. The city is packed with parks and even has a near year-round golfing culture, something that retirees can surely get into.
Grand Junction, Colorado
Grand Junction also made it to the list of top retirement cities from grandparents.com, mostly because of its outdoor lifestyle. According to Outdoor Life, the city is sixth best in the nation when it comes to fishing and hunting, making it the perfect city for any retiree or elderly person who wants to sit out on a boat and cast off.
Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda was ranked by Forbes as the city with the most older people in the U.S., with more than 30 percent of its population being elderly, according to Business Insider. Not only is it filled with golf courses, but the city also has some high-end retirement homes for the elderly to retire to and enjoy the sun throughout the year.
Sioux Falls, Iowa
You don’t have to be retired when you’re older or a grandparent. In fact, there are plenty of people over the age of 50 who are interested in working. According to the Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, Iowa, is the top American city for those who are older than 50 and looking for jobs. So any older person looking for a job may want to seek opportunities in Sioux Falls.
Pocatello, Idaho
Thought there was nothing but open farmland in Idaho? Well, that may be a part of its charm for the older American. The AARP listed Pocatello, Idaho, as one of the best cities for retirees, mostly because of the cheaper cost of living and the fact that some famous historic sites, as well as breathtaking views, are all within a reasonable walking distance.
Asheville, North Carolina
Not only did Asheville crack the list of best cities for happiest retirees, but it was also listed on the AARP’s top cities to retire. Part of that is because the city is always glistening with sun, making it one of the top cities in the nation for sunshine also, and an ideal scenario for many retirees.
Maple Valley, Washington
Grandparents aren’t just relocating to the city to take care of their kids, though. It seems grandparents are also moving to the suburbs, like Maple Valley, which was ranked as one of the top suburbs in the nation for older Americans, according to grandparents.com. Two golf courses, a city thriving with nature and many hiking trails for older Americans to live out their days is what makes Maple Valley such an appealing place for the elderly.
Charleston, South Carolina
Are you a history buff looking for a place to retire? U.S. News and World Report ranked Charleston as one of the top historic sites for retirees. For starters, the city was named after King Charles II, and features many Civil War connections that’ll keep the history critics and fans happy for days.
Madison, Wisconsin
Retirement isn’t the end all — you can still reinvent yourself. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the top cities in the country where you can rebuild your life and step away from the problems you faced in your earlier years. One of those cities is Madison, Wisconsin, which features an array of schools — like the University of Wisconsin — and has enough events, sports and world leaders passing through to keep older Americans on their toes and thriving.
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