Speaker: If you're thinking of relocating when you retire, before you head out to the city that you're thinking about, we're going to show you the best places to retire according to MoneyWatch.com. Jill Schlesinger is here with that. She, of course, is the Editor-at-Large. Jill Schlesinger: Large editor.
Speaker: Large editor, no. So help me understand. You looked at all of the best places to retire list that are out there, and there are numerous, and you decided to rate the lists? Jill Schlesinger: We wanted to go through and say, okay, what do they have in common? What are some of the criteria that can bring the most value, if you're really looking at doing your retirement place research? So we wanted to exclude anything that was before 2008. And some of the lists seemed quite random and anecdotal. You know, sometimes you read a restaurant review, and there's one bad review, and it skews the ratings. So we threw that out. We wanted to come up with what we thought were the best ways to compare all the lists, compile them, and give everybody a little chance to say, hey, where are the surprises here?
Speaker: And so you came up with your own list at the end of it. And what were some of the surprises? Jill Schlesinger: Well, I think what was one of the most hilarious things is that you saw places that showed up on lists that came up high in livability and affordability, so a place that you couldn't imagine like Cincinnati, Ohio. I mean, I don't think of that as the first place to think of retiring. Although our Editor-in-Chief, Eric Schurenberg, said to me, great restaurants, great place, great sports teams. And you know what? A franchise sports team can make a difference. A college town can make a difference.
Speaker: Exactly. Jill Schlesinger: So all of these things. And, of course, it's quite personal.
Speaker: Right. Jill Schlesinger: So you really have to know what you're looking for.
Speaker: Let's look at the cities on your list. Austin, Texas is a wonderful city. Why do you like it so much? Jill Schlesinger: This is a great place because it's a university town, great sports town, good outdoors, fantastic music scene, very famous for the South by Southwest Festival. Some of the negatives include that, you know, frankly, it can be crowded. And people say it's a little too funky sometimes, you know, even for Texas. But no state income tax in Texas. So this is a great place to retire.
Speaker: We love Texas, but a lot of the cities out there that people have to retire in have a state income tax. Jill Schlesinger: Exactly.
Speaker: Which people have to consider. Jill Schlesinger: Absolutely, especially when you're on a fixed income.
Speaker: Portland, Oregon number two. Jill Schlesinger: Again, great, fun, eccentric, really exciting kind of place, green technology place. Downside, let me just say this, 155 days of rain a year. That's enough for me. Let's move on.
Speaker: Let's go to South Carolina, shall we? Jill Schlesinger: Yeah, Buford, South Carolina. Seaside town, charming, great. Downside, a little bit more remote, can be a little touristy, so people not so psyched about it once they get there. Sometimes can be a little bored by it.
Speaker: Bismark, North Dakota. I have never been there. Jill Schlesinger: Yeah, me neither. Great opportunities. There's some great opportunities for senior employment there. But, you know, it's cold. I mean, it's not a place for the faint of heart.
Speaker: Okay, Burlington, Vermont. Jill Schlesinger: Burlington, Vermont. Again, university town.
Speaker: Cold again. Jill Schlesinger: Cold again. Great for skiers. By the way, if you really like Vermont, maybe you would consider New Hampshire. No state income tax in New Hampshire right next door. So there's an opportunity for you.
Speaker: You put Cincinnati, Ohio. Must be the restaurants. And then San Diego. That one makes sense, although I live in California, and the state income tax is brutal. Jill Schlesinger: State income tax is brutal. Very high estate tax. Not a great place to die in California. So California and New York, not great places to die. And, of course, the regulars in Florida, very popular still, and great housing prices there now.
Speaker: Especially at the moment. Jill Schlesinger: Indeed.
Speaker: Thanks, Jill. Jill Schlesinger: Thank you.
Speaker: Jill Schlesinger.
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