10 Best Cities for Retirees to Rent

 For retirees looking for a place to settle down more permanently, it pays to find a destination that meets the needs of this new lifestyle. Realizing rental needs change as people get older, Apartments.com evaluated cities across the country on a variety of key lifestyle factors:

High inventory of affordable apartments

Thriving economy

High retirement population

Weather

Flexible leasing options for short or long stays

The results, the 2013 “Top 10 Cities for Snowbirds and Retirees, places Austin, Texas at the top of the list, making it the number one hot spot for both snowbirds waiting out winter back home and those in it for the long haul, looking for a destination to lay down their roots and enjoy their retirement.

“We wanted to look at elements that make a city attractive to both part-time residents and to today’s retiree who is active and seeking a vibrant community with weather that lets them stay active,” says Dick Burke, president of Apartments.com. “There are some surprises on the list”the biggest one being that typical snowbird cities in southern Florida were edged out by cities in Arizona and Texas. This is because our list takes into account more than just sunshine. By looking at a population that would offer the opportunity for friendships, the average cost of a two-bedroom apartment so there is room for visiting family, median income as an indicator of economic health of a market and important amenities including short-team lease options and air conditioning, our list uncovers some less-than-obvious options.”

Average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Austin will run around $1,200.

The remaining cities on the retiree’s top 10 list, in order, include:

Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada
Scottsdale, Arizona
San Antonio, Texas
Phoenix, Arizona
Dallas, Texas
Jacksonville, Florida
Plano, Texas
Overland Park, Kansas
Mesa, Arizona

The survey predicts average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Austin will run around $1,200, compared to $775 in Mesa.

Burke adds, “The fact that Overland Park, Kansas made the Top 10 indicates there are some cities with moderate climates worth considering for quality part- or full-time retirement living. It’s not all about golf and beaches. While those features make for great retirement destinations, it pays to investigate some of the lesser-looked-at cities offering affordable accommodations, good weather and economic and demographic profiles that can help ensure a full and exciting lifestyle.”

Apartments.com (http://www.apartments.com) is a leading national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing millions of rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties.

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