Is Michigan A Good Place To Retire? Lots Of People Think So

DETROIT (WWJ) - Michigan is in the middle of the pack when it comes to the best places to retire. That's according to a new report from Bankrate.com.

Based on cost of living, taxes, healthcare, crime and climate, Michigan ranked 30th. Michigan was in the top 20 for its health care quality and relatively low cost of living, but was near the bottom for its weather and well-being.

South Dakota was named the best state for retirement, followed by Colorado and Utah. Surprisingly, popular retiree spots such as Florida and Arizona don't even rank in the top 10. New York was the worst.

"While the states that ranked highly may not be thought of as typical retiree havens, seniors should consider more than sunshine when choosing a place for their golden years," said Bankrate.com research and statistics analyst Chris Kahn. "The Dakotas both ranked in our top 10 for the second year in a row due to their low cost of living, low crime rates, good health care quality, low taxes and excellent satisfaction scores from residents."

"Of course, the best place to retire will differ drastically depending on the individual," said Kahn. "For some, the best place to retire is simply anywhere there's year-round warmth and sunshine. For others, it's where family and friends live. Retirees are best off deciding what factors matter most to them and checking the relevant statistics before making a final decision."

Get the full story here.