What's happened
Recent rankings highlight America's safest and wealthiest retirement towns, including Fort Lee, NJ, and Oro Valley, AZ. These towns score high on safety, livability, and access to amenities, making them attractive options for retirees seeking security and comfort.
What's behind the headline?
The rankings from GoBankingRates and WalletHub reveal a clear trend: affluent, low-crime towns with access to amenities are increasingly attractive for retirees. Fort Lee, NJ, benefits from its proximity to Manhattan, high livability score, and low crime, making it a prime example of a desirable retirement enclave. Meanwhile, Oro Valley in Arizona offers mountain views, outdoor activities, and a strong community feel, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. The emphasis on safety and access to healthcare reflects retirees' priorities, but the absence of Florida towns—long considered a retirement hotspot—suggests a shift in preferences or a focus on safety metrics. These rankings will likely influence retirement planning and real estate investment, as retirees seek communities that balance security, amenities, and affordability.
What the papers say
The articles from NY Post, The Independent, and Business Insider UK provide a comprehensive view of the current landscape of safe retirement towns in the US. The NY Post highlights Fort Lee, NJ, as a top choice due to its high livability score and proximity to Manhattan, emphasizing its affluent profile. The Independent's ranking by WalletHub underscores the importance of safety, with Warwick, Rhode Island, leading the list, and highlights towns like Yonkers and Burlington for their low disaster risks and financial safety. Business Insider UK adds depth by ranking towns like Lewiston, Maine, and Overland Park, Kansas, based on natural disaster risks and economic stability, illustrating the diversity of factors influencing these rankings. While the sources differ slightly in their focus—some emphasizing safety, others economic stability—they collectively underscore a trend toward choosing communities that offer both security and quality of life. The rankings also reveal regional disparities, with California and Arizona towns dominating the list, and Florida notably absent, which may reflect shifting priorities among retirees or changing perceptions of safety.
How we got here
Multiple recent studies and rankings have evaluated U.S. towns based on safety, economic stability, and livability for retirees. These assessments consider crime rates, disaster risks, and access to healthcare, reflecting a growing interest among retirees in secure, affluent communities. Notably, California and Arizona dominate the list, with towns like Oro Valley and Rancho Palos Verdes ranking highly.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Are the Safest Retirement Towns in the US for 2025?
Looking for a secure and comfortable place to retire? Recent rankings highlight the safest and most livable towns across the US, including places like Fort Lee, NJ, and Oro Valley, AZ. These communities score high on safety, amenities, and quality of life, making them ideal choices for retirees. But what exactly makes a town safe and attractive for retirement? Keep reading to discover the top safe retirement towns and what factors influence these rankings.
More on these topics
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WalletHub is a personal finance website that was launched in early August 2013. It is based in Washington, D.C. and owned by Evolution Finance, Inc.
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Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, the third largest city in the state with a population of 80,487 at the 2020 census.