Retiring baby boomers are popularizing the idea of “aging in place,” modifying their current homes to allow them to live independently for as long as possible. This may mean adding handrails or hands-free faucets in bathrooms or larger conversions of multilevel homes that allow for first-floor living.
But certain locations may offer more “aging in place” features than others. Realtor.com® scoured listing data in the 300 largest U.S. metros to pinpoint the best markets for aging in place. The site’s researchers evaluated each city for affordability and health services, factoring in indicators such as the number of homes already adapted for seniors, percentage of residents older than 65, cost of living, and number of home health aids per senior. (Note: realtor.com® limited its list to one metro per state in order to ensure geographic diversity.)
Realtor.com®’s eight best metros to age in place are:
1. Florence, S.C.
- Median home list price: $165,200
2. Macon, Ga.
- Median home list price: $156,600
3. Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
- Median home list price: $254,900
4. Vero Beach, Fla.
- Median home list price: $299,500
5. Texarkana, Texas
- Median home list price: $159,500
6. Saginaw, Mich.
- Median home list price: $114,400
7. Redding, Calif.
- Median home list price: $317,500
8. Dothan, Ala.
- Median home list price: $156,400
Source: “Forever Homes: The 10 Best Places in America to Age in Place,” realtor.com® (Aug. 7, 2017)
