Why Retiring in Idaho is Better Than Other States in the Country

Most of us work hard every day with the goal of one day being able to retire and enjoy life a little easier without having to get up early every day. You can spend time how you choose, travel, garden, or take up some fun hobby. For some, this is soon, while for others this seems like a dream or way too far away. When it comes to retiring, where do you want to spend it? Many people think of retirement and dream of the beaches in Florida, the year-round warm weather in Arizona, living at a slot machine in Las Vegas, or maybe in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Where is the best state to enjoy retirement and how does Idaho compare?

The Best and Worst States to Retire In

Most of us have a certain destination in our minds when we retire but is it truly the best place to enjoy retirement? WalletHub recently released a list of the best states to retire in and ranked the states using categories such as affordability, quality of life, and healthcare. They determined that Virginia is the best state to retire in, with Florida second and Colorado third to make up the top three. The worst state to retire in is Kentucky, with New Jersey second worse, and Mississippi third worse. The state with the best affordability is Alabama. The state with the best quality of life is Massachusetts and the state with the best health care is Minnesota.

Is Idaho a Good State to Retire In?

While Idaho may not be one of the top five destinations for people retiring, it does rank better than most would think, coming in at 9. Idaho ranks 15 in affordability, 17 in quality of life, and 31 in health care. Idaho ranks third in property crime rate, making it safe for retirees to enjoy their retirement. Depending on what you enjoy, Idaho makes plenty of sense to retire. The cost of living is better than most places, there is plenty of good fishing and hunting, or perhaps you want to enjoy time inside by the fire in the winter. 

Get our free mobile app

If you are looking to retire soon and have contemplated heading to another state, tap the brakes and reconsider. You may already be in a better place to enjoy your retirement unless you hate the cold. If you don't like cold weather, then heading south makes more sense, but if you want to enjoy time on the lake, fishing, hunting, perhaps hitting the slopes, then kick back and relax and enjoy your retirement in Idaho, one of the ten best states to do so in the United States.