Green Retirement Blog

Why would anyone want to choose to retire in a city? The classical conception of retirement is, get old, quit your job, find some place peaceful and quiet. It may be an appealing idea to some, and the conventional path for many, but it’s not for everyone. Retirement is an opportunity for change. And retirement in a city, for those who have been living a suburban routine, can  be an exciting alternative.

What about the crime, pollution, and congestion? While they are arguable negatives, against retiring in a city, there are many good reasons to choose a city for your retirement. The list of arguments, in favor of a city retirement, are actually quite long.

Culture - There is no question, that in a city, you have more access to shows, symphonies, museums, sports, art, music, and the list goes on. Living in a large city, culture is literally, at your doorstep.

Health Care - Major cities have major health care. Numerous hospitals, clinics, and doctors.

Transportation - No need for a car if you live in most cities. This can be a great retirement savings, take advantage of public transportation, and save yourself a bundle. Buses, subways, railways, cable cars, affordably whisk you around town.

Cosmopolitan - Take a walk down the street and hear five different languages spoken. People from all over the world living in your neighborhood. Every lifestyle you can imagine, is tolerated and represented, in a large city. Parlez vouz Francais - Habla Espanol? Gay, straight, conservative, liberal, religious, atheist, are all represented in the city. Local and foreign newspapers, magazines, t.v., and more. Cities are not homogeneous, they attract immigrants and emigrants, and are constantly changing.

Interaction - If you want to get involved, and be involved, the city is the place for you. Numerous and varied, organisations, clubs, interests, are present in a city. It’s easy to find like-minded people in a city. And living in a city is as un-isolated as you could possibly imagine.

Cuisine - Pizza and hamburgers are available. But so is Thai, Mexican, Indian, French, Italian and so much more. Do you know Pho? Every taste is available, and if you love food, then the city is the place to eat.

Amenities - The ability to get what you want, when you want, is an advantage to city living. Living in a city you have access to anything, and everything, whenever you want. Shopping, boutiques, designers, the usual and un-usual. Cities offer the opportunity for individuals to be their individualistic selves, access to more choices, a greater variety of experiences. Healthcare, transportation, food, amenities, many more options are available.

Personally, my idea of an ideal retirement is a hammock, a surfboard, a beach, and all the waves to myself. For some people though, a city retirement, may be the best lifestyle fit. I’m in San Francisco right now, I’m showing how anyone can retire in a city such as San Francisco, with under a million dollars in savings. And to be quite honest, even though I would prefer a surfboard retirement, I am enjoying the big city life of San Francisco very much. Next, I will explore the pros and cons, of retiring overseas.

Learn more about Green Retirement Planning - And find out how you can save your retirement and the planet!