Seek Beyond Statistics - There’s more to the top 5 best places for Veterans to live than numbers

RallyPoint Shared Content — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:25:34 -0400

Many articles have been written to help Veterans decide where to live once they separate from the military. Veteran Life (https://rly.pt/3jhDaD4) has an impressive analysis of the 10 best states in which to retire based on a number of factors including tax benefits, cost of living and employment. Benefits Pro (https://rly.pt/3xlzpoe) will not only tell you the top five best places to live, but they will even give you the top five places to avoid. The most comprehensive information can be found in the study WalletHub (https://rly.pt/3FVan0v) bpublished at the end of last year. Looking at 20 indicators of livability, the study evaluated 100 US cities and ranked them based on such factors as veteran unemployment rate, veteran income growth, retiree-friendliness and the quality of VA health facilities.

Since you can visit any of those links yourself when considering your destination, here we will share some unknown but perhaps useful information about the winning cities that might just give one an edge over another.

1. Tampa, Florida: Tampa ranked highest amongst the best places for military retirement. Sure, you should be able to easily find a job, keep your benefits from being taxed and have access to great health care, but did you know you can also visit Carol Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary? That’s right, the Tiger King’s nemesis is right there in Tampa. You might only know of the sanctuary from your pandemic Netflix binging, but it doesn’t make the mission or the scope of the rescue any less impressive. If cats aren’t your thing, try the world’s longest sidewalk along Bayshore Boulevard. At nine miles on a round trip, you can walk, run or bike along the bay and admire the beautiful scenery while enjoying the warm sun and salty breeze.

2. Austin, Texas: Coming in much higher in the quality of life category but ranking second overall in the best city ranking is the “weird” Austin. The self-proclaimed city of strange boasts a unique migration of over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Not creeped out yet? Take one of the city’s many ghost or murder tours and walk the route of America’s first serial killer. Ok, spooky stuff aside, Austin is also home to world-renowned cuisine such as the first barbeque pitmaster to win a James Beard award and over 6,600 restaurants and bars from which to choose whatever pleases your palette.

3. Scottsdale, Arizona: With 330 average days of sunshine, it's not hard to figure out why Scottsdale ranked so high in the health score in WalletHub’s study. Boasting many of the world’s most popular luxury Golf resorts, the city also has 103 trails on which to bike, run, walk or just meander while enjoying the beautiful desert surroundings. You can also immerse yourself in a rainforest and be surrounded by over 3,000 butterflies at one of the city’s most popular attractions: Butterfly Wonderland.

4. Raleigh, North Carolina: You might be retiring from the military but perhaps you aren’t quite willing to give up working just yet. Good news, Raleigh is just the place for you! Ranking quite high in the employment area of WalletHub’s study, Raleigh has ample jobs and a reasonable cost of living. But that’s not all! From the many craft beer breweries to the city scavenger hunts and the plethora of museums, you will never be bored in the city dubbed “America’s best kept secret '' by Australian expat bloggers on their This is Raleigh site: https://rly.pt/38q9GAH

5. Gilbert, Arizona: You’ve put in your time, looking for a place to relax? Head to Gilbert which scored low for employment but high in the quality of life and health categories. It’s nothing if not brutally honest, you can even head to livinginphoenixaz.com for a complete pros and cons list to settling in the city. Between the near perfect weather and the overabundance of outdoor activities, Gilbert is a diamond in the rough (somewhat literally, as it boasts the lowest crime rate in the entire state). Bird watching, theaters in the round, clay shooting…it’s not a tourist hub but there is plenty to keep the locals occupied.

There is more to choosing a place to retire or live after leaving the service than just numbers. Hopefully this post will inspire you to expand your research during transition to learn more about a city than just its stats.

10 Best States for Military Retirement (2022 Edition)

Not just another listicle! Find out why we think these are the 10 very best states for military retirement...and then decide for yourself!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2022 4:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:18:49 -0400

Thanks for the Info.

Response by SSgt Julia Vineyard made Apr 9 at 2022 12:18 AM

SSgt Julia Vineyard — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 00:18:10 -0400

I moved to Austin, Texas after I separated. The VA here is incredible and the people so kind and welcoming of veterans. I love it.

Response by SSG Robert Vernon made Apr 9 at 2022 6:52 PM

SSG Robert Vernon — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 18:52:21 -0400

Thanks for the info, and I hope to be moving into one of those States that truly do have something to offer Veterans, other than charging insane rent, or believe in taxing you on everything down to the last piece of toilet paper. This is what we face over here in Hawaii which makes it nearly impossible for us to be able to back to the Mainland.

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Apr 11 at 2022 12:53 PM

SSgt Ray Stone — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:53:53 -0400

Surprised Georgia isn't listed

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Apr 11 at 2022 2:52 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:52:42 -0400

I think most go back to their own stomping grounds when the finish their enlistment/retire. I did like so many of my fellow Marines. Many years later I moved my family to Tennessee. No income tax (but they make up for it in sales tax, up to 9.75% depending on which county you live in) and lower property tax. Jobs don't pay as good but the cost of living is generally lower also. We moved to be in a rural area. I had enough of Chicago and the big city. Never say never but it would take a lot to get me to move again! House paid off, no debt other than my monthly utility bills. No more mortgages or car payments for me!

Response by SR Kenneth Beck made Apr 12 at 2022 7:40 AM

SR Kenneth Beck — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 07:40:21 -0400

The best place to live is nearest my grandchildren.

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Apr 18 at 2022 4:53 AM

SrA Ronald Moore — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:53:17 -0400

Keep us in the share and loop

Response by Cpl Tammy Hooper made Apr 18 at 2022 8:36 AM

Cpl Tammy Hooper — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 08:36:18 -0400

Did they ever consider global warming? All these are southern states.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2022 1:49 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:49:17 -0400

I don't agree Austin, TX is the best city for military retirees to live in. I would rank San Antonio, TX the best city in Texas for military retirees. San Antonio, TX as been known as Military City USA for decades. At one time there were 5 military bases here in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio caters to the military community both active and retired. It has my vote for best city in Texas and for that matter in the USA.

Response by MSG William Wold made Apr 19 at 2022 2:18 PM

MSG William Wold — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 14:18:11 -0400

I retired and moved to the Oregon coast. Met someone and we married. When she retired we moved inland a little for better health care, but in Washington State, just North of Portland, Oregon. When the weirdness and mass "wokeness" happened, we decided to get out of there and headed to Texas where some of our relatives live.
Now here's the thing. Austin, TX brags about being Portland's sister city. Sorry but I will not be traveling there. Having a stepson in Dallas, and one in Houston area, and a son in Colorado Springs. We chose Conroe, TX. VA clinic is 3.5 miles from me. Virtually everything we need or want is within 13 miles plus a 22-mile-long lake. We did the research, and this home has never flooded nor had a FEMA claim on it. Sure it gets a little warm in the summer, but it beats where my daughter lives in Montana. We had 80 on Christmas, she has minus 22.
Because I exceed 50% by VA, Texas gave me a free drivers license, and free hunting and fishing license. NO income tax, but sales tax. Property taxes are a little high but homes are still reasonable. I get a reduction on property taxes also, plus over 65. My home is appraised at $300K, if it was up near Seattle it would be 1.2 million. I had a good friend in the Army, I was searching for. I knew he was from Seattle, never could find him. Until recently. When he retired he moved to Kentucky. So if anyone is looking for an old buddy, don't limit yourself to where they grew up. Could have re connected 25 years ago..

Response by PO1 William Van Syckle made Apr 19 at 2022 3:44 PM

PO1 William Van Syckle — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:44:03 -0400

Man, am I going to have to disagree with this selection. There is No Way you can tell me that Austin, Texas is on this list. No Way. With its high cost of living and some of the dumbest restrictive laws, there is No Way. Someone has been into using a lot of the recreational drugs to make this list. Pathetic…..

Response by Capt Bill Chada made Apr 19 at 2022 8:21 PM

Capt Bill Chada — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:21:22 -0400

All those things may be nice, but how available are VA medical facilities? Can vets get medical care from local VA facilities? How quickly can vets get appointments from the local VA?

Response by CPO James Harrison made Apr 20 at 2022 9:33 AM

CPO James Harrison — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:33:04 -0400

You lost ALL credibility when you listed Austin.

Bats, murder tours, and restaurants!?! That's your criteria for a great town to retire in!?!

The city of Liberals, Pronouns, and Freaks HATES the military. texas university is as liberal as Berkley and hates the 2nd Amendment. Ever heard of the "Cocks not Glocks" movement on campus? The homeless camp on the sidewalks in the downtown area thanks to the city government's "San Francisco policies".

The cost of living is MUCH higher than the rest of Texas. You're looking at northwards of $400k for a small 3/2.

The traffic is horrendous because there's only one freeway that runs N/S through town - I-35.

Please refrain from posting articles like this. You're obviously unqualified.

Response by PO3 Paul Roth made Apr 20 at 2022 5:05 PM

PO3 Paul Roth — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:05:37 -0400

I came back to Washington via New Mexico. I hate it here but it is home taxes homeless and drugs

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 21 at 2022 7:29 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 19:29:14 -0400

Thanks for sharing.

Response by SGT Wayne Dunn made May 20 at 2022 10:58 AM

SGT Wayne Dunn — Fri, 20 May 2022 10:58:35 -0400

Great Information

Response by SFC Kenneth Kreps made May 31 at 2022 4:41 PM

SFC Kenneth Kreps — Tue, 31 May 2022 16:41:15 -0400

I, too, chose Tennessee as my final resting place. Lol. My home, South Carolina-was out of the question, didn’t seem to lose anything there. Georgia and Alabama were a couple of stops along the way, but Tennessee is the place to be. No state income tax, cost of living is better, sales tax a little higher, but worth it. I’m in TVA land, Electricity is cheaper. Great VA Clinic, and all the amenities of Tennessee, mountains, fishing , hunting. Resorts and getaways.