Warm weather is no longer at the top of many retirees' must-have lists
New Report: More Retirees Are Moving to This State Than Any Other (Hint: It’s in the North)
Published on Mar. 10, 2025
When it comes to retirement, many people look forward to leaving behind their snow shovels—not to mention heating costs and higher taxes—for milder weather. Moving south is on many retirees’ wishlists, and although Florida has been a favorite retirement spot for decades, these two Southern cities outside of the Sunshine State are also gaining in popularity.
But sun and beaches aren’t everything, and recent data shows that none of the 10 best states for retirees are in the South. The Southern states tend to be more affordable for retirees on a fixed income, but seeing how far you can stretch your retirement dollars isn’t always the most important thing.
When money is less of a concern, one Northern state has more retirees moving to it than any other, according to a new report from HireAHelper that has everyone surprised. Read on to find out where the new retirement hot spot is—and whether you should consider moving there too.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more retirement news, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How was the study conducted?
To determine where retirees are moving, HireAHelper took the percentage of all retirees in 2024 who moved or left a state using data taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and the agency’s Annual Social and Economic Supplements for 2024.
Los Angeles–based realtor Wesley Kang reviewed HireAHelper’s methodology. “They tracked their 65-plus customers moving between states and backed it with Census data,” he says, pointing out that’s about as reliable as it gets.
Which state are retirees moving to?
Despite the fact that you need a good chunk of change in your savings account to retire in Massachusetts, the Bay State claimed the top spot for retirees who moved out of other states specifically to retire. These moves to Massachusetts account for 20.4% of all interstate moves by retirees.
Although not a single Massachusetts city made it onto the most livable cities for seniors list, there are several reasons why the state claimed the top spot—but that doesn’t mean people aren’t shocked by this news. “Massachusetts beating Florida for retirees? I’ve worked for many decades in real estate, and that’s a first,” Kang says.
Why are retirees moving to Massachusetts?
According to HireAHelper’s report, “access to top-tier health care” was a significant factor for those who moved to retire, ranking up there with cultural opportunities and scenic living. Karen Shanahan Garrett, a broker and the owner of the Shanahan Group, a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office based in her hometown of Winchester, Massachusetts, has a few ideas about why so many retirees are moving to her state.
Garrett lives in the Boston suburbs, but she points out that there’s a lot more to Massachusetts than just the capital, which is also the largest city in the state, with a population of around 650,000. “Towns like Yarmouth and Chatham on Cape Cod offer coastal living, while communities in the Berkshires, such as Northampton and Hingham on the south shore, provide a perfect blend of vibrant culture, recreational opportunities and accessibility to high-quality health care,” Garrett says. “Venturing outside of the city into Middlesex County, including towns like Framingham, can offer increased affordability while not compromising on proximity to Boston and all that the city has to offer.”
But isn’t Massachusettes expensive? Yes and no. Even with the Social Security cost-of-living increase, it can be costly to live in Massachusetts, but it has a hidden financial benefit. “Massachusetts has that ‘Taxachusetts’ reputation, but the state doesn’t touch Social Security benefits,” Kang says. “Meanwhile, Florida’s property insurance has gotten so brutal, it’s eating up whatever tax savings residents benefited from.” Home-insurance rates in Massachusetts aren’t rising as quickly as in the Sunshine State.
Here are other reasons retirees are moving to the Bay State, per the study.
Access to health care
With some of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Dana Farber Cancer Center, the state provides retirees with premier medical care, with accessible locations throughout the state.
Cultural and recreational opportunities
From renowned museums and performing-arts venues ranging from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts to Tanglewood in the Berkshires, to scenic parks and walking trails, Massachusetts offers endless avenues for enrichment and outdoor activities from Boston to Cape Cod and beyond.
Diverse living environments
Whether retirees prefer a peaceful coastal retreat, a quaint small town or suburban living with easy access to Boston, the state offers an array of options to suit different lifestyles. From condos to single-family homes, homebuyers can find options across a variety of price points.
Proximity to extended family
Massachusetts continues to host a vibrant labor market. For those retirees with grown children and families in the area, moving to Massachusetts represents an opportunity to be near family and potentially assist in child care.
What other states are retirees moving to?
It’s no surprise that despite the volatile weather that’s led to skyrocketing insurance rates in Florida, retirees continue to move there to enjoy the amazing beaches, warm temps, laid-back lifestyle and more. It ranked second in HireAHelper’s study, and in fact, of all the retirees moving to a new state for retirement, nearly 20% chose Florida.
Rounding out the top five in the study, after Massachusetts and Florida, are Illinois (9.2%), Kentucky (7.8%) and North Carolina (6.7%).
Which states are retirees leaving?
Virginia tops HireAHelper’s list of states retirees seem to be fleeing from in their retirement years, with 24.7% of retirees from the state choosing to move elsewhere. The other states that earned this dubious distinction include New Jersey (10.4%), Florida (9.2%), Maryland (8.3%) and California (7.9%).
Why are retirees leaving these states?
There are many reasons retirees are saying goodbye to these states, but when it comes to retirees leaving Virginia, HireAHelper points out it may have to do with the northern part of the state, which shares a border with Washington, D.C., being a large work hub. “[It’s] attractive to working professionals, but once those people decide to step down from their long careers in government, defense or tech, they might be looking to move somewhere very different,” the study notes.
Kang points out that, overall, warm climates used to attract retirees, but now their unpredictable weather and predilection to flooding are scaring folks off. “The climate migration is real,” he says. “We are just heading north instead of south now.”
About the experts
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Hireahelper.com: “2024–2025 Retirement Study: Where and Why Retirees Moved This Year”
- U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey
- Annual Social and Economic Supplements for 2024
- Wesley Kang, Keller Williams realtor in Los Angeles; email interview, March 2025
- Karen Shanahan Garrett, broker/owner of the Shanahan Group in Winchester, Massachusetts; email interview, March 2025
