Retiring soon? This is one of the most exciting stages of life. Retirement is filled with opportunities - to relax, to have fun and to live wherever you choose. Proximity to your job no longer has to factor into where you live - your decision can be entirely based on your preferences. If you’re looking to Nashville, Tennessee - you’re in luck. The Music City is an amazing place for retirees in their Golden Years.
Nashville cracks the top 10 best places in the entire country for retirees - and it’s easy to see why. It is an exciting city filled with country music, entertainment of all kinds and, of course, amazing barbecue. The weather is amazing - with the city boasting an annual average high of 70 degrees and an annual low of just 49 degrees. Even if you’re not into the hustle and bustle of city life, Nashville has something to offer you. The area is surrounded with quiet, beautiful suburbs with a small town feel. The city truly has something for everyone.
Still not fully convinced? Read on for even more reasons why Nashville is the perfect place for your retirement years:
1. Nashville Has a Tax-Friendly Environment for Retirees
Stretching your money as far as possible in retirement is likely a top concern of yours. Consumer financial company WalletHub ranked Tennessee 48th in the nation on its 2018 tax burden rankings. So it follows that Nashville is also one of the most tax-friendly cities to live in for retirees. Social security retirement benefits, as well as other forms of retirement income, are totally free from taxation. More of your money can stay in your pocket in Nashville.
If you’re going to buy a house, and you meet certain income qualifications, you’ll be happy to hear that you can apply for property tax relief. This tax break freezes your property tax rate at whatever the rate it at the time of purchase. Your real estate agent can help you determine your eligibility.
2. Nashville Offers Endless Activities and Fun
Retirement is your time to relax, have fun and not worry about work. Nashville is definitely a great place for that. Country music, barbecue, line dancing, arts, culture - Nashville is home to an endless array of fun activities for retirees to enjoy. You can visit famous landmarks like the Grand Ole Opry, visit a whiskey distillery, or hike one of the many trails that are near the city.
3. Healthcare is Accessible and Reliable in Nashville
Retirees should keep their health in mind when choosing a city for their Golden Years. Even if you feel perfectly healthy now, it is likely that your health needs will become more complex as you continue to age. Luckily, there’s a variety of great options for hospitals and healthcare facilities in Nashville. The city’s three largest providers – Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA TriStar and St. Thomas Health – have been recognized nationally for their high level of patient care and safety.
Healthcare in the city is not only accessible - it also affordable. According to data collected by the Kaiser Foundation, people who live in Tennessee spend around $6,400 per capita on health care, which is well below the national average of $6,800. Inpatient hospital care is about $1,462 a day versus the national average of $1,910.
4. Nashville is Home to a Variety of Senior Living Options
In addition to having the freedom to choose what city you’d like to live in, you also have the freedom to choose what type of living situation you’d like to have during retirement. If you’re interested in buying a house, make sure the layout and other amenities will allow you to age in place safely and happily. Open floor plans, one-story layouts, no step entryways and bathrooms with senior-friendly safeguards are examples of some of the things you should target in your next home.
If you want to stay independent, but don’t want to take care of a house all on your own, a 55-plus living community could be a great option for you. In addition to property maintenance services, these active adult living communities offer many luxury amenities - such as pools, fitness centers and happy hours. Living in one of these communities usually requires extra fees, so be sure to discuss this with your real estate professional prior to deciding on a given community.
Beyond 55-plus communities, there are a variety of top-rated senior living communities in Nashville and 25 more in the surrounding metropolitan area. Assisted living facilities are a preferred option for retirees who need more constant help with activities of daily living - which may include bathing, getting dressed, managing prescriptions and keeping up with general housework.
Ready to find your dream home? Contact Wendy Dyes with Nashville Elegance, a part of Legacy Real Estate Group; 615-807-0340. Wendy is an expert in the Nashville real estate market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients. You need someone you can trust - and Wendy is here to be that agent for you.