Being a parent tends to be an all-consuming job and an empty nest, no matter how expected and anticipated, does mean a huge adjustment – both emotionally and lifestyle wise as well. Different people handle it differently. Some take the opportunity to focus more on their careers, some like to pick up a new hobby or even pursue old ones. Then there are those who make the most of spending that uninterrupted time with their partner, hanging out with their friends or simply watching Netflix to their heart’s content.
At a time of such transitions and settling into such a huge lifestyle change, there is nothing better than being in a place that facilitates such change and lets you make the most of it as per your desire. So, here are some of the top cities for empty nesters you can consider moving to.
Top 7 Cities For Empty Nesters in America
- Fremont, California
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Huntington Beach, California
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Riverside, California
- Manchester, New Hampshire
- Henderson, Nevada
1. Fremont, California
Fremont is one of the best places to live in California and is ideal for retirees with its urban-suburban mixed atmosphere. The cost-of-living index of Fremont is 227.3, well above the national average, which means that one needs very heavy pockets to be able to enjoy the city to its fullest. However, the crime rate in Fremont is 1.85, meaning that the chances of being the victim of a violent crime are 1 in 539, a statistic well below the state median or even the national median, making it one of the safest cities to be in.
The climate is Mediterranean, meaning that the summers are warm and dry, with winters being cold and damp. These are weather conditions that are very ideal for people above a certain age. For empty nesters who choose to continue with their careers, a number of companies are based in Fremont like Antec Inc, Corsair Gaming, Fremont Bank, Oplink Communications and others while the largest employer is Tesla Inc.
One of the reasons Fremont has made it to the ‘best places’ list is due to the abundance of greenery in parks, streets and boulevard areas. The environment is perfect and ideal for the long or short walks that most elderly are fond of. A few points of interest in the city to visit are the Silent Film Museum, Lake Elizabeth, Olive Hyde Art Gallery and others. Fremont is that upscale, quiet city that is tailored for the empty nesters while offering them an excellent quality of life.
- Median Home Value: $1,279,586
- Median Rent: $2,050 (2 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $133,354
Also See: Best States in US to Retire
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
There is a certain charm and joy in spending the empty nest life in a place where nature’s supremacy is acknowledged. This city, on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, is stunningly beautiful and is just an hour’s ride to Denver. The cost-of-living index of Colorado Springs is 104.5, so it is more expensive than the national average of 100, but not by much. The rate of crime in the city is 5.89, meaning that the chances of being the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 170.
The weather of the place is semi-arid, resulting in about 243 sunny days per year and the winters are more cool than cold. When it comes to the economy of Colorado Springs, it is primarily based on defence, high-tech industry and tourism, so people in said industries can pursue their careers further in this city.
Something amazing about the Colorado Springs is how easy it is to be fit and healthy here. With the city being in the lap of nature and the additional 9000 acres of parks and greenery in Colorado Springs, staying healthy becomes very enjoyable. And the best thing to go with that is the variety in the cuisine of the city. There are many options that range from fine-dining to bars and rooftop restaurants among others. So you definitely won’t have to struggle to find something suiting your culinary preference. To top it off, Colorado Springs is a pet-friendly city with a number of dog-parks and recreational spaces for the pets. The city is really about that dreamy life of ease and whimsy where an empty nest is an opportunity to explore the lighter side of life.
- Median Home Value: $392,914
- Median Rent: $1,219 (2 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $64,712
Also Read: Relocation Guide for Colorado
3. Huntington Beach, California
If you have ever wanted to live by the sea, Huntington Beach is the perfect place. It’s a comfortable place with good diversity and great food. The cost-of-living index of Huntington Beach is 183.8, a number above the national average as is expected of any place near the sea. The crime rate in Huntington Beach is extremely low, at 1.94, as in the chances of being the victim of a violent crime are 1 in 515, making it one of the safer places to be in the country.
Residents describe the climate of the place as pleasant and steady. While it is classified as semi-arid/Mediterranean, the weather is almost always sunny, dry and cool in the summer and in winter, the temperature is known to never drop below 400 F (40 C). As for the city’s economy, there are a few extraction facilities here and a small industrial district near its borders. Tourism and its related businesses are the major source of income for most people.
Learning how to surf should be the first thing to do once you move to the ‘Surf City’. There’s a pier that extends 1,800 feet into the sea and is an excellent place to enjoy with the family owing to the fishing poles, Instagram-worthy scenes and the enviable shoreline on either side of it. You could also just go to the aquarium or the Segerstrom Centre for the arts, or even spend some time at a resort. Huntington Beach is everything you could hope for in terms of a beachside retirement town.
- Median Home Value: $992,942
- Median Rent: $2,257 (2 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $95,046
See Also: Relocation Guide for California
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is that upscale, artsy town that is coveted by people as their address. Even its slogan goes as, ‘The West’s most Western town’. The cost-of-living index of Scottsdale is 133.2, which though higher than the national average of 100, is a lot lower than what one would expect for a place with such a high standard of living. The crime rate of Scottsdale is also rather low at 1.61, lower than the national and state median, both. No wonder people place this high on their list of places to live in.
The climate of this city is totally arid with the summers being very hot and the winters being somewhat on the milder side. The tourism industry of the city is its main employer and generates an income of over $4 billion. It is also a coveted destination for medical care and runs one of the busiest airports in the country. Some of the companies running operations in the city are APL, Cold Stone Creamery, Carlisle Companies, Discount Tyre and others. The city also has the greatest number of what are called ‘destination spas’ so if you are an empty nester and a resident of Scottsdale, you know where you should be spending a lot of your time.
People who love the outdoors will love Scottsdale. Along with the luxe relaxing options for the introverts, there is hiking, rock climbing and biking for people who like spending time outdoors. Plus, there are numerous art galleries here to tickle that artistic bug should you ever want to. Moving to Scottsdale is like signing up for a permanent staycation and to be honest, what else does one need in life?
- Median Home Value: $639,971
- Median Rent: $2,488
- Median Household Income: $88,213
Read Also: Moving To Arizona
5. Riverside, California
Riverside has the honour of being the first in many things, including polo field and golf courses, but now it is mostly known for its citrus industry. It is a big city with the feel of the countryside and that is something that a lot of people look for in their later years. The cost-of-living index of Riverside is 133.1 meaning it is higher than the national average but the crime rate in the city is 5.13, so the chances of being the victim of a violent crime are 1 in 195, making it quite safe for a city of that size and population.
The climate of Riverside is classified as semi-arid and, in this case, it means hot and dry summers, and winters that are mild but can experience the occasional rains. When it comes to the economy of Riverside, a major chunk of it is involved in the light industry, with the manufacturing of products like aircraft components, automotive parts, gas cylinders and others. It is, however, a point to note that the largest employer in the city is the County of Riverside, followed by the University of California, Riverside Unified School District, Kaiser Permanente and the City of Riverside. It is also a popular filming choice for many films and television series due to its architecture and closeness to Hollywood.
Golf is extremely popular in this city, as evidenced by the many golf courses. Also, many of the residents in the city are fond of growing their own gardens and on other days, they do prefer eating out, especially as Thai, Indian and Italian food are the most popular here. And probably, the most endearing part of the city are its theatres. While there are plenty of multiplexes to choose from, the residents have a special love for the California Riverside Ballet and the Riverside Philharmonic, both of them being the original entertainment venues. It is quite the place to spend your retirement in.
- Median Home Value: $504,564
- Median Rent: $1,898 (2 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $67,005
6. Manchester, New Hampshire
The city is not just the birthplace of famous personalities like Adam Sandler, Seth Meyers and Louis O. Coxe, but is one of those retirement towns that are suited for people who prefer a slightly faster pace of life than that of the previously mentioned cities. The cost-of-living index of Manchester is 104.1, so it is slightly, but not very, expensive than the national average. The crime rate in the city is 6.2, so the chances of being the victim of a violent crime are 1 in 166.
The city has four definite seasons in which the summers are warm but humid, and the winters are cold and snowy, although they tend to last long. Spring and autumn don’t last that long and are strictly transition periods. Manchester has been termed as one of the best places to launch your business in, should you be thinking about it, and is often termed as the ‘Queen City’. The major employers here are Elliot Hospital, Southern New Hampshire University, Eversource Energy, FairPoint Communications, TD Bank and others.
Manchester is quite the place to indulge in your love for music, arts and the architecture. Other than the museums, there is the historic Palace Theatre, where you could go to indulge in the Broadway hits and the frequent jazz performances. You may also choose to go to Storyland, an amazing theme park not far from the city, with your grandchildren or for the child in you. And as most people will fancy it, just sit with a cup of coffee or tea on the balcony and enjoy the beauty of the city.
- Median Home Value: $313,234
- Median Rent: $1700 (2 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $60,711
Also See: Moving to New Hampshire
7. Henderson, Nevada
Henderson is that place that always receives steady, good reviews. The place has good people, excellent amenities and great avenues for recreation which makes it a place as ideal as one can be for people looking for a more settled pace of life. The cost-of-living index of Henderson is 117.7, which is higher than the national average of 100. The crime rate here is 1.83, much lower than the state and national median, placing the chances of being the victim of a violent crime at 1 in 545, making it one of the safest cities to be in.
The climate of Henderson is desert-like with very hot summers and mild winter, though there may be the occasional snowfall. There are close to 292 days of sunshine in the city. The major employers in its economy are the City of Henderson, St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Green Valley Ranch Resort, Sunset Station Hotel and others. In the recent decade, Henderson has seen a focus on leisure with more and more shopping malls, theatres, casinos, restaurants and concert venues coming up.
The culture and life in Henderson are the exact amount of eclectic to keep it exciting for people above a certain age. You will never get tired of the whiskey here, but don’t drink and go to the Lion Habitat Ranch. Go there sober and check out those wild beasts in their natural setting. You can pick up bird watching as a hobby and spend your time at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. You can also go to the banks of Lake Las Vegas or just go have fun at the water park, grandchildren or not. To sum it up, Henderson is exactly the small-town Hollywood is so fond of portraying in its ‘rich-grandpa trope’ movies that you will definitely enjoy living in.
- Median Home Value: $386,182
- Median Rent: $1,450
- Median Household Income: $74,147
Bonus: Moving To Nevada – Relocation Guide
Conclusion
So, when you do choose a city to set up your empty nest in, it’s certainly wise to consider being in a place where you get the chance to rediscover yourself. While you’re at it, take the moment to fully explore the kind of person you are and have become over the years. Then of course, you can always enjoy the occasional company of your progeny when they come to visit. So, choose the city accordingly while keeping in mind the practical elements like employment opportunities and basic cost of living among others.
See Also: Most Affordable Movers in the US
