Trying to make that difficult decision about where to live in retirement? There are so many factors to weigh when you’re searching for the perfect retirement spot. Do you want to stay in a place you know and love, near friends and family? Or are you looking to explore someplace completely new? Do you want to be close to grandchildren as they grow up? Or do you want to put down roots in a community where you can meet new people? Would you like to live in the city, the country or somewhere in between? Mountains or beaches? Hot or cold? East Coast or West Coast? The list of considerations goes on and on.

Well, whether Philadelphia is on your short list because you’re thinking about moving here or have lived here in the area for years, we’re proud that others are recognizing what we’ve always known: It’s a very special place. Our own city has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 30 areas in the country to retire in 2020!

The magazine ranked 125 metropolitan areas based on a list of factors, including happiness, housing affordability, health care, desirability, retiree taxes and job market. Respondents said happiness and housing affordability were the most important factors. We’re pleased that a remarkable five cities in Pennsylvania made the top 30, including Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg and our own Philadelphia.

Just a few of the many benefits of retiring in Philadelphia include:

Convenience:

  • Outstanding public transportation, with SEPTA offering bus, trolley and regional train lines connecting the city and surrounding areas, such as Wilmington, Delaware, and Trenton, New Jersey
  • Easy access to the Philadelphia International Airport, the largest airport in Pennsylvania and an international hub for American Airlines
  • A reputation as one of the most walkable cities in the country

Affordability:

  • A cost of living lower than other major cities, like New York and San Francisco
  • No tax on retirement income
  • The lowest flat tax rate in the country

A multitude of things to see and do:

  • A huge menu of dining options, from Geno’s Steaks to Reading Terminal Market to fine dining
  • A wealth of attractions and historic places, including Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
  • A mecca for die-hard sports fans who cheer on the Phillies, the Eagles and the 76ers
  • Many parks and wooded trails for hiking and walking, with some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country

From a convenience, financial and quality-of-life perspective, there are so many reasons to retire in Philadelphia. We know that where you choose to spend the next chapter of your life is a major decision, so we’d like to invite you to come for a visit and give us a chance to show you why Philadelphia Protestant Home is the community within a community, where you can enjoy the best of the City of Brotherly Love.

Source: U.S. News & World Report