I'm 57 and thinking about where to live when I retire. How do I choose the right location — and make sure I can it?

Maurie Backman

Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 3:44 AM 5 min read

An AARP survey at the end of 2024 found that 73% of Americans aged 50 and older want to stay in their communities as they age. But, that’s not the right choice for everyone.

HireAHelper reports that more than 338,000 Americans moved in conjunction with retiring in 2023 — a 44% increase from the year before. Not surprisingly, the data found that retirees were quick to flee high-cost states like California and New York, and that Florida was the top destination for retirement moves across state lines.

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If you’re 57, you may be counting down until retirement and planning a move. And, it’s good to do your research ahead of retirement so you have plenty of time to make your decision. Here’s how to figure out where to move to in your senior years — and how to ensure that it’s financially stable.

If you look online, you'll see plenty of roundups of the best states in which to retire, like ours. But, you also need to look beyond the rankings and decide what you want the most out of a move.

If your primary goal is to lower your living costs, then you may want to retire in a state with no income tax (Florida fits that bill) or in a state where living expenses are generally cheap. But, you may have other goals in relocating.

Climate could be one of them. You may no longer have the patience for harsh winters or the energy to clear snow out of your driveway. Or, you may be tired of the heat and prefer a state where the temperatures are more moderate year-round.

Proximity to family may also play a big role in where you move. A 2024 Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies report found that 32% of retirees are prioritizing family. Living near loved ones could make your senior years more fulfilling while also giving you access to potential caregivers, should you need that help later in life.

One thing you should make a point to research before relocating is access to health care. Some states offer better access to Medicare plans than others, so you may want to use Medicare's plan finder to see what choices you have. You can also check out this scorecard from the Commonwealth Fund to see how well different states' health care systems stack up.