55+
retirement
Is Upstate a Good Place to Retire? No, according to the many surveys published by the media By Ken Little
M
ost locals will agree there are many things that make Upstate New York a great place to live. Good-natured neighbors, family and friends, four seasons, beautiful summers and ample outdoor activities — all could be cited as reasons for living here. But when it comes to the Upstate region as a place to retire, other factors must be considered. High tax rates, challenging winters and the lack of nearby medical services in some rural areas come to mind. The above reasons may be why the region is largely ignored by numerous magazines and others who publish lists of the best places to retire. But other reasons, including the desire to remain in their homes when retirement age comes, keep many people from leaving. “Invariably, what retirees are looking for right now given dwindling home values, disappearing pensions and cracked nest eggs, are places 36
55 PLUS - August / September 2013
where their dollars will go as far as possible,” AARP New York spokesman David Irwin said.
Notable Exception One exception is the college town of Ithaca, in the rolling hills of Tompkins County. It’s listed by AARP as a Top 10 affordable city for retirement. Ithaca also makes several other lists, including AARP’s list of Top 10 “Quirky Places” to retire. Beyond that, Upstate, including Central New York and Western New York, comes up blank. New York state is among those that have initiatives to encourage property owners to remain at home in retirement. “People are looking for communities that will allow them to age in place,” Irwin said. Moving to a new home in Florida or Arizona may not be realistic. “These days, retirees are finding themselves in a bit of a pinch. The 400Ks are still recovering and home
values have dwindled significantly,” Irwin said. “They are looking for communities that are affordable and supportive.” For many, that description best describes their current home.
Outdoor Attractions Few can question the beauty of Upstate New York’s rural areas. Attractions like Lake Ontario and other waterways, state parks and 5 million public acres are ideal for the outdoor-minded, said Jola Szubielski, spokeswoman for Empire State Development. “While mainly focused on the tourism aspect, we also see these as great draws for our residents who enjoy New York state’s excellent quality of life. Health care is another strength for New York state with its many teaching hospitals and premier, major medical facilities,” Szubielski said. Some rural counties are wanting when it comes to specialized medical