Wheat Ridge was named one of the nation’s best cities for retirement, according to a new ranking released Monday by Livability.com. The city was ranked fifth on Livability’s 2014 Best Places to Retire list – the only Colorado city to make the cut.
Livability cited Wheat Ridge’s numerous bike trails, fitness centers, nearby mountains and ski resorts as important amenities for active retirees. Through its research, Livability found that Wheat Ridge was one of the healthiest cities it examined, with the highest percentage of residents who exercise out of all the cities on this list. The site also factored in Wheat Ridge’s support groups, abundant shopping opportunities, great restaurants, low crime and excellent health care into its ranking.
Also working in Wheat Ridge’s favor is the homestead exemption Colorado provides to eligible residents 65 and older. In addition, Livability noted that Colorado residents 55 and older receive a generous retirement-income exclusion from state taxes. At 7.5 percent, Wheat Ridge’s sales tax is also lower than the national average of 9.6 percent.
“We are thrilled to have Livability recognize the high quality of life that we enjoy in Wheat Ridge,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay. “For residents who want easy access to both an array of outdoor amenities and all Denver has to offer, we’re hard to beat.”
To create its Best Places to Retire 2014 list, Livability considered a variety of factors for an even deeper look at how cities can accommodate older adults. In addition to overall quality of life factors, the site’s editors examined economic data, natural amenities, golf courses, weather, preventable hospital stays, walkability and much more.
In addition, editors looked at Census data to find areas with heavy concentrations of seniors and businesses and services that cater to them. They analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find areas with low unemployment for seniors and used data from Kiplinger to find cities located in states with retiree-friendly tax benefits.
To see the entire list, go to www.livability.com/best-places/top-10/best-places-to-retire/best-places-to-retire/2014/coeur-d’alene.
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