Americas Best Places for Boomers to Retire?  Portland Oregon Made the List!

As the “Boomers” begin to retire, millions are going to be looking for the best places to relocate and settle down to retire.  According to Tom Brokaw who reported on Baby Boomer retirement, “Boomers are willing to move farther than previous generations when they retire, and they are choosing places unlike stereotypical retirement hotspots”.  The Show airs on CNBC, Thursday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET.

Out of the gate, I can see why Sherwood Oregon, Yamhill County or anywhere in the greater Portland Oregon area would be a good place for Boomers to call home, I’ve been trying to get a few in my own family to settle here in Sherwood or the surrounding areas – and while I think I was doing a pretty good job convincing them, this special report may just the ticket to finding their new home here.  

So, what is the perfect place for a Boomer anyway?  According to CNBC, “that question is just diverse as the needs, desires and expectations of Boomers themselves” and although certain destinations may be particularly attractive for reasons ranging from the weather and availability of health care to tax advantages and property values, there’s a wide variety of cities and towns consistently considered the top places to retire.

So, where are some of the top places for Baby Boomers (and anyone else, for that matter) to retire in America?  Right in our own backyard, Portland Oregon was named among the few and this is why…. A major city, Portland is attractive to retirees because of its small town, at times bohemian feel. AARP Magazine describes the lifestyle as “European charm meets environmental nirvana,” which offers miles of bike lanes, world-class art museums, waterfront parks and diverse shopping in the city’s Pearl District.

Residents enjoy pedestrian access to many attractions in the city and a light rail system called the “MAX” that connects the city and suburbs. The city’s blocks are small in length, which adds to the European feel and helps make navigating the city on foot more manageable. For those looking for scenic views, Mount Hood is strikingly visible on clear days, and the city also features an aerial tram that descends to the South Waterfront district.
Featured here are the top cities awarded by AARP - they will air on the show March 4, 9pm EST:

1. Loveland/Fort Collins, Colo.
2. Las Cruces, N.M
3. Rehoboth Beach, Del.
4. Portland, Ore.
5. Greenville, S.C. minutes from Simpsonville, SC
6. Sarasota, Fla.
7. Ann Arbor, Mich.
8. Tucson, Ariz.
9. Montpelier, Vt.
10. Honolulu
11. Santa Fe, N.M
12. Atlanta
13. Charleston, S.C
14. Northampton, Mass.
15. San Diego, Calif.