forbes

10 best American cities for growing older

Melanie Haiken

Aug. 7, 2012 at 8:18 AM ET

Courtesy of Milken Institute via Forbes.com /

Sioux Falls, S.D., ranks No. 1 among smaller cities for those growing older.

The Milken Institute just released its study on Best Cities for Successful Aging, and there are some enlightening and telling surprises on their list. For example, many of the biggest, most cultured, most exciting cities on both coasts rank lower than a number of fly-over cities often assumed to be boring backwaters.

So what did Milken’s researchers and data crunchers look at that made this ranking system different? They weighed in 78 factors considered to “most affect seniors’ quality of life” including economic and job conditions, housing, transportation and social engagement, in addition to the more usual crime rates, health care and weather. Cultural and educational offerings were also an important factor, demonstrated by the fact that the majority of both the large and small cities listed have a university or college.

Here, then are Milken’s top choices, with a few pithy details to back up their rankings.

Top 5 large metro areas in which to age happily and healthily

For this category, Milken looked at the 100 largest cities in the country by population and ranked them according to the same data and formula. The top 5 were:

1. Provo-Orem, Utah

A healthy, pro-business economy means lots of jobs for those over 65, including in small businesses
Ranks extremely high in health and wellness
Brigham Young University
Safety, security and community engagement for aging in place without isolation
Low cost of living

Downsides: A bit bland, and then there’s the religion thing.

2. Madison, Wis.

Ranked first in the country for healthcare
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Just 150 miles from Chicago’s theater, shopping, dining and nightlife
Intellectual’s paradise (lots of lectures)

Downside: Weather.

3. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb./Iowa

Extremely robust economy with plenty of job and entrepreneurial opportunities
Headquarters of 5 Fortune 500 companies
Wide variety of affordable living arrangements
Health care and conference hub with all the resulting attractions and amenities

Downside: Well, they are in Nebraska and Iowa.

4. Boston

More than 100 universities within the city and surrounding area with all the expected cultural offerings
Top choice for history buffs
Easily accessible by public transportation

Downside: Climate, crime and cost of housing.

5. New York/Northern New Jersey

Has two of the top 20 hospitals in the U.S.
Excellent public transportation, important once you give up driving
Cultural offerings go without saying

Downsides: High cost, lack of business/employment for seniors.

Runners-Up ranked 6-10: Des Moines, Iowa; Salt Lake City, Utah; Toledo, Ohio; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-Va.-Md.-W.V.; Pittsburgh, Penn.

Top 5 small metro areas in which to age happily and healthily

For this category, Milken looked at the 259 next largest cities in the country (after the top 100) by population and ranked them according to the same data and formula. The top 5 were:

1. Sioux Falls, S.D.

Booming economy
Low unemployment
Rapidly growing financial services sector
Hospitals are strong on geriatric services
Strong “community engagement” with plenty of senior services

Downside: Not a strong draw for visitors, thanks to climate and invisibility.

2. Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa with its lectures, events and cultural offerings
Top quality health care thanks to University of Iowa Medical School
Excellent public transportation
High standard of living; relatively few seniors below the poverty line
Scored No. 1 for residents over 80 (partly because no driving needed)

Downside: The population skews younger, so seniors have to work harder to find contemporaries.

3. Bismarck, N.D.

Thanks to the oil and gas boom, the economy’s roaring and jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities abound
Ranked fourth overall for health care, despite lack of high-profile medical center or teaching hospital
Large service sector offers plenty of service jobs

Downsides: Weather, for sure. Also availability of attractive housing arrangements.

4. Columbia, Mo.

Strong tax base provides excellent community services
University-sponsored research facilities offer interesting employment prospects
Ranked third in health care
Strong community engagement

Downside: Short on recreation and culture.

5. Rochester, Minn.

With the Mayo Clinic located here, health care quality is high
Safe and secure
Low cost of housing

Downsides: Sluggish economy and bitter winters – unless you’re big on ice fishing.

Runners-up ranked 6-10: Gainesville, Fla.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Missoula, Mont.; Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.

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