Long Island: Retirement Mecca or Mayhem
By Richard Bambrick
Richard.Bambrick@gmail.com
This week, the official population of the United States hit the 300 million mark. Nearly a million of us are “Baby Boomers” living in Nassau and Suffolk counties who will enter the retirement years over the next decade, posing the possibility of a dramatic change in Long Island’s culture.
At question is whether Long Island will be forced to become more retirement-friendly to accommodate its aging population, or whether high taxes, a scarcity of retirement jobs, and cold winters will drive the retirees away.
The issues are varied and dynamic:
· Cost of Living
· Healthcare Availability and Quality
· Lifestyle
· Family Ties
Each of these issues will be examined in this space in an effort to provide pertinent data, resources and anecdotal information to any body making the decision to retire on Long Island, or to move away.
An interesting starting point for the potential retiree may be to evaluate the community he or she is currently living in to determine if it will remain a comfortable place as one ages. AARP, a solid resource of information for the older generations, offers an online tool “Beyond 50: Livable Communities Quiz.”
This menu of questions will get you thinking about the place you now live in a different way. Will it be safe? Will it be easy to get around if you need walking assistance? Are there activities for senior citizens? Let’s face it. When you purchased the house, you were looking at schools and parks for the kids.
The decision to stay or go portends a potentially major cultural change for Long Island communities. If a large chunk of the population heads south, it will dramatically change the mix.
If they stay, their comfort and community requirements will be different than they are today.
Richard.Bambrick@gmail.com
This week, the official population of the United States hit the 300 million mark. Nearly a million of us are “Baby Boomers” living in Nassau and Suffolk counties who will enter the retirement years over the next decade, posing the possibility of a dramatic change in Long Island’s culture.
At question is whether Long Island will be forced to become more retirement-friendly to accommodate its aging population, or whether high taxes, a scarcity of retirement jobs, and cold winters will drive the retirees away.
The issues are varied and dynamic:
· Cost of Living
· Healthcare Availability and Quality
· Lifestyle
· Family Ties
Each of these issues will be examined in this space in an effort to provide pertinent data, resources and anecdotal information to any body making the decision to retire on Long Island, or to move away.
An interesting starting point for the potential retiree may be to evaluate the community he or she is currently living in to determine if it will remain a comfortable place as one ages. AARP, a solid resource of information for the older generations, offers an online tool “Beyond 50: Livable Communities Quiz.”
This menu of questions will get you thinking about the place you now live in a different way. Will it be safe? Will it be easy to get around if you need walking assistance? Are there activities for senior citizens? Let’s face it. When you purchased the house, you were looking at schools and parks for the kids.
The decision to stay or go portends a potentially major cultural change for Long Island communities. If a large chunk of the population heads south, it will dramatically change the mix.
If they stay, their comfort and community requirements will be different than they are today.
posted by Richard Bambrick at 8:04 AM
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