In a moment of frustration and panic this week, I started searching for information on the best places to retire. I was particularly interested in finding out whether I could locate a spot outside the U.S. where I could escape American politics and buy a killer place for next to nothing. A girl can dream, especially this week.
Turns out, I could do that ex-pat thing quite easily – or I could stay right here and retire in Louisville, comfortably and cheaply.
If you’re already here in Louisville, you’re in a good spot for financially feasible retirement.
AARP this week named Louisville to its list of the top 10 low-cost U.S. cities for retirees [4]. Dubbing our fair city “A Southern Original,” the AARP slideshow hits on a few cultural highlights of particular interest to retirees, or those of us who hope to get there one day: our public park system, the Triple AAA Louisville Bats team and the Urban Bourbon Trail get mentions. Only one local foodie spot – Muth’s Candies – is mentioned, but that’s not a bad place to start.
AARP compiled its list with an eye toward cities where you could retire comfortably with an annual income around $30,000. With a listed median home price of $128,200, and no state tax on Social Security, Louisville ranked favorably among cities including Erie, Pennsylvania; Pueblo, Colorado; South Bend, Indiana; and Daytona/Deltona/Ormond Beach, Florida.
Photo: Kachina Shaw