City ranked among 10 'Best Places to Retire' / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, September 24, 2007

September 24, 2007

Lawrence named one of the best places to retire in America

Editors who work at a national magazine say that American retirees would be hard-pressed to find a better place than Lawrence to spend their retirement years. Enlarge video

On the street

Where would you like to retire?

I think Lawrence would be a great place. There are so many things to do, so many friends, trips to Kansas City, and I could become a storm chaser in my retirement.

— Anne Bailey

More responses

San Francisco boasts its Golden Gate Bridge.

Venice, Fla., lives off the Gulf of Mexico.

Prescott, Ariz., is sheltered by 1.25 million acres of national forest.

And Lawrence? Listen up and play ball.

"Music and basketballs fill the air in 'Jayhawk Country,'" U.S. News & World Report says in its online assessment of communities rated as retirement locales.

And they're good things.

Lawrence is among the 10 "Best Places to Retire," a list of communities profiled in the magazine's Oct. 1 issue as topping a nationwide database of more than 1,000 potential retirement destinations.

The publicity is no small matter. U.S. News carries a paid circulation of 2 million, and its Web site attracted 1 million unique visitors last month, according to Nielsen/NetRatings Inc.

Such recognition is nothing new, said Tina Roberts, development manager for Douglas County Senior Services. People increasingly are discovering Lawrence as a place to spend their golden years and, as national publications catch on, people outside Kansas University alumni are joining in.

Now it's up to the community to address needs with continuing education, public transit, affordable housing and other issues before incoming retirees start to tax the system.

"We get calls from all over the country," Roberts said. "We don't need to market Lawrence. It's already marketed. Now we just have to plan for it."

In the profile, U.S. News lauds Lawrence for having lush, green surroundings, plus a variety of features - including Lied Center performances, an active community arts center and theater, a vibrant downtown, a longtime farmers market and "a perennial power in men's basketball," KU - that can appeal to retirees.

But the profile also notes that weather can offer the potential for discouragement: "This is the Midwest of four distinct seasons," the magazine reports.

Lawrence is among 11 Kansas communities included in the magazine's nationwide ratings of best places to retire. Others on the list from Kansas: Derby, Great Bend, Hays, Lenexa, Manhattan, Newton, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village and Shawnee.

Discussion

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24 September 2007
at 10:24 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence: The place where you want to die!

**They need to make this as a bumper sticker.
24 September 2007
at 10:27 p.m.

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TheEleventhStephanie (Anonymous) says…

God's waiting room.
24 September 2007
at 10:31 p.m.

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Stain (Anonymous) says…

“Others on the list from Kansas: Derby, Great Bend, Hays, Lenexa, Manhattan, Newton, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village and Shawnee.”

OK, I am no longer impressed. What has US News been smoking? Derby? Hays??? Great Bend??????? Was there any other criterion besides cost of living?
24 September 2007
at 10:34 p.m.

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merrill (Anonymous) says…

High taxes and a city with little to no vision. Won't even consider the green industry for jobs that cannot be outsourced. Wouldn't be nice to know exactly what the real estate industry fed to U.S. News and World Report. According to what I've read these honors are driven by information from the real estate industry.
24 September 2007
at 10:40 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

And what is it that you have read, Merrill?

Please provide us with a link to your secret knowledge!
24 September 2007
at 11:03 p.m.

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merrill (Anonymous) says…

The answer is still no to an open ended sales tax increase. Since when have politicians been trusted with money with no specific purpose?
=============================

Marion it's out there…you go find it. If I can find it surely you can.
24 September 2007
at 11:20 p.m.

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doc1 (Anonymous) says…

Don's comment says it all.

24 September 2007
at 11:36 p.m.

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Stain (Anonymous) says…

merrill says:
Wouldn't be nice to know exactly what the real estate industry fed to U.S. News and World Report?

A few months ago I read in some business magazine (wish I could remember which one) that Lawrence was one of the hot markets in which to invest in rental property. This was about a week after Charles Gruber, one of the city's more established realtors, explained to me how the rental market had been overbuilt with apartment complexes and it was no longer a good investment to buy rental property in residential neighborhoods because many of those stand empty. I wondered who had paid that biz mag to write that: no doubt, somebody with property to unload.
25 September 2007
at 1:02 a.m.

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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

A man took his elderly father to one of our non-neglecting nursing homes to check it out. He sat his father down on a sofa in the main entry and went to talk with the administrators.

The old man started to tilt slowly toward the left. A Doctor came by and said, “Let me help you.” The Doctor piled several pillows on the left side of the old man so he would stay upright.

The older man started to tilt slowly to the right. An orderly noticed and put several more pillows on his right side to keep him upright.

The old man started to lean forward when a nurse came by and piled several pillows in front of him. About this time, the son returned.

“Well, Dad, isn't this a nice place?”

The old man replied, “I guess it's ok, but they won't let me fart.”
25 September 2007
at 5:52 a.m.

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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…

As Katie Horner said,”…they are talking about horses —right??!!”
And throughout the laughter that erupted from the entire studio there I realized that they know Kansas winters too.
25 September 2007
at 7:49 a.m.

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huntershaven (Anonymous) says…

So far Lawrence has ceased to impress me given the rancor and venom expressed in the words posted on so many of these story comments. I may work here but I most certainly would not want to live in Lawrence or raise a family here.
25 September 2007
at 8:54 a.m.

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Kontum1972 (Anonymous) says…

it was nice 15 years ago…once my teen graduates from high school and preps for university life i am out of here and i am not coming back mb i will go back to vietnam and hang there at least i know bush & dead eye dick wont go there since they missed the first gig there….LoL.
25 September 2007
at 9:02 a.m.

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biggunz (Anonymous) says…

you people are depressing. you have a knack for finding the negative in everything.
25 September 2007
at 9:27 a.m.

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jrlii (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence might be a great place to retire — If you just sold your $125,000 house for a megabuck out on the coast.

My parents moved away very shortly after my mom retired 'cause the taxes were too high, and that was about 20 years ago.

On the other hand, It does seem like Brandon Woods is building senior apartments about as fast as they can.
25 September 2007
at 9:33 a.m.

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BigAl (Anonymous) says…

BigPrune… That is great!!!!

25 September 2007
at 9:50 a.m.

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toefungus (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence is a nice community for retirement. Entertainment, lower priced restaurants, moderately priced homes. However, the taxes here, a general problem in Kansas, is pretty bad. I would recommend anyone looking for a place to retire to check into the total tax burden before they look at anything else. It is what you have left to spend after you pay all your bills that will determine if your retirement is anything more than temporary. Federal tax is the same everywhere. Look at state income tax, sales and use taxes, property taxes (are there caps and concerns for senior citizens?), specials, and intangible taxes at the location you are thinking of buying. Sales taxes can vary widely and include special taxing districts like the Legends in Kansas City. Taking time to do that before you move is very wise.
25 September 2007
at 10:21 a.m.

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MacHeath (Anonymous) says…

Its a great place to retire, if one has the funds to do it. Most folks that
live on fixed incomes can't live here easily, even if they own their house.
Afore mentioned property taxes, being the prime culprit.
Also the extremes in weather…who the hell paid these folks to write this
drivel?
25 September 2007
at 11:26 a.m.

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unelectable (Anonymous) says…

“Now it's up to the community to address needs with continuing education, public transit, affordable housing and other issues before incoming retirees start to tax the system.”

Classic LJW. An editorial amongst the re-reporting.
25 September 2007
at 12:51 p.m.

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kmat (Anonymous) says…

I just got back from FL and it is god's waiting room. Maybe Lawrence is purgatory.

Who the heck would want to live out their final days in Lawrence? Florida, yes. AZ, yes. I guess if all you want to do is watch the crops grow and enjoy some nasty winters, then KS is the perfect spot for you to retire. I always thought people left KS when they were ready to ENJOY their final days and get away from freezing temps.

Unless you move to the rich areas in southern FL, real estate down there is reasonably priced and there is so much to enjoy. I could buy a great house, just a few minute drive from the beach for just a little more than I can in Lawrence. Here, I'm a few minutes drive from the Kaw.
25 September 2007
at 1:03 p.m.

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BigAl (Anonymous) says…

kmat… to each his own. You couldn't give me Florida on a platter. It is unbearably hot and humid in the summer, too many people and let's not forget the regular hurricane visits. I know of several people that “retired” to Florida only to return home to Kansas.

Critize all you want but we enjoy Lawrence, warts and all.
25 September 2007
at 1:13 p.m.

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Bubbles (Anonymous) says…

I say we make merrill honorary greeter for the city of Lawrence.
25 September 2007
at 4:14 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

Bash it and smash it as I know many of you will, I plan to retire in my beloved East Lawrence neighborhood. At least as an elderly man I know that someone will keep an eye on me and be a true neighbor in a close-knit neighborhood.

http://www.lawrence.com/blogs/mathis/…
25 September 2007
at 4:43 p.m.

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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…

huntershaven
If you are using this forum to judge what Lawrence is like, then you need to think again. It's really a very civil, friendly place. My neighbors are great; I would trust them with anything. My husband and I are going to retire here, because we can give up our car and ride the T, walk to the nearby businesses, take classes at the art and parks and recs center, go to concerts in the park, buy season tickets to the Lied Center, go to KU plays, high school plays, and attend (and maybe become involved) in community plays. We'll go to the museums and galleries and art walks. We will buy fresh produce from the farmer's markets to keep us healthy and eat biscuits and gravy at Aimee's and drink a beer at Free State to keep us from being toooo healthy. Only another 10 years. I'm looking forward to it.

25 September 2007
at 4:51 p.m.

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BigAl (Anonymous) says…

George.. I won't bash it and smash it. There is absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to retire around family and friends. In fact, it sounds pretty good to me.

I agree 100% with George and Dorothyhr.
25 September 2007
at 5:34 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

max1 (Anonymous) says:

“Odds are family members and friends had the foresight to move away, but you will have plenty of your own peer group to associate with.”

Guess we didn't get the memo - As a fifth generation Kansan and a 25 year resident of Lawrence I didn't realize that I, my family, and friends were lacking “foresight” that we should have moved away.
25 September 2007
at 8:19 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

So “max 1” I have a question:

What exciting-every-single-moment-of-the-day-and-night-of-your-entire-life-from-the-moment-you-were-born-until-the-day-you-die place do you live and where would you retire?

max1 (Anonymous) says:

“Guess we didn't get the memo” -Geroge_Braziller

It'll be in your AARP brochure under the headline “You losers are still in Kansas?”.
25 September 2007
at 9:07 p.m.

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matahari (Anonymous) says…

here are the other nine (listed alphabetically)
— Bozeman, MT
— Concord, NH
— Fayetteville, AR
— Hillsboro, OR
— Lawrence, KS
— Peachtree City, GA
— Prescott, AZ
— San Francisco, CA
— Smyrna, TN
— Venice, FL
There's one or two that I've never been to, or heard of, but I have heard of Fayetteville…who picked these cities? I am thinking some of the writers from US News did..and what was their criteria?
even if I did wish to retire here, i wouldn't advertise it. But I don't think we have to worry much, all those empty cublicles will be filled with some sort of peo-piles, someday….
25 September 2007
at 9:52 p.m.

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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…

Geez matahari, Are you planning to committ suicide before you die? Nice attitude towards aging. I'm 55, and bet I can out think and out work you. Maybe I couldn't out drink you, but guess what, there are more important things than hanging out in boring meat market bars. Been there, done that. It's a pathetic way of having fun. There are so many things to do in this town and the others, but I guess unless you only like the music that the music industry tells you is popular, then you might not like classic or blue grass. And since your limited mind only likes malls and shopping, then going to a play would bore you silly. Not enough blood and guts, right? I get pretty sick of young people who think getting old is so terrible. The older I get the happier and better I get. You're going to end up a pathetic whiner when you get old, or an old fart hanging out in the bars, acting like you'rs a teenager. Even more pathetic.
25 September 2007
at 10:25 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

dorothyhr - You're 55, I'm 46. You can be my neighbor anytime. Since we're so old and boring maybe we can share a pitcher of Metamucil as we sit in rockers on my front porch reading our AARP newsletter. We can also watch Lawrence Welk on a black and white television as we both wait for death in the supposed purgatory of Lawrence (or God forbid! Kansas).
25 September 2007
at 11 p.m.

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matahari (Anonymous) says…

dorothyhr…please re read my post…I think you have made an error in reading what I posted.
What I said was….There are one or two of the cities listed that I have not yet been to…and what was US News criteria in choosing these cites?
my comment about if I was to retire here meaning to keep a good thing a secret…;)
26 September 2007
at 6:23 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

right_thinker says: “Maybe now is a good time for me to learn how to play the bagpipes.”

Amazing Grace?

(Rumor has it that a better place to retire would be a town like Alice.)

26 September 2007
at 6:32 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Confrontation says: “Lawrence: The place where you want to die!”
**They need to make this as a bumper sticker.

TheEleventhStephanie (Anonymous) says:
God's waiting room.

“On terminal hold, in Lawrence, Ks”
26 September 2007
at 4:38 p.m.

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none2 (Anonymous) says…

Perhaps they can come up with a new Bumper Sticker that is a bit more refreshing than the ones we have seen for ever. How about this one:

“My grandparent is an honorary retired/underemployed/unemployed senior in Lawrence.”
26 September 2007
at 4:43 p.m.

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benjaminlox (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence: Violent Crimes!
26 September 2007
at 5:12 p.m.

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kneejerkreaction (Anonymous) says…

Is it a good thing to be known as a retirement community? We're already a bedroom community for Topeka and Kansas City. Sounds kinda sleepy and boring to me.
27 September 2007
at 9:10 a.m.

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none2 (Anonymous) says…

kneejerkreaction (Anonymous) says:

“Is it a good thing to be known as a retirement community? We're already a bedroom community for Topeka and Kansas City. Sounds kinda sleepy and boring to me.”

I'd rather have lower taxes than more taxes for the purpose of entertaining bored people. People that claim they are bored are usually some of the most boring people there are. Walk, jog, run, bike, swim, left weights, cook, rake, mow, garden, read, write, sing, or even twiddle your thumbs, do something. It is a lot better for everybody else around you than to go around stating “I'm bored”.