It's not uncommon to find a list of the best places to retire, either domestically or abroad. But a list of the worst places? That's what the folks at MoneyRates.com pull together this time of year.
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The finance website looked at such factors as life expectancy data and a state's crime rate, climate and economic conditions, including taxes, job opportunities and cost of living, to compile a ranking of the 10 worst states for retirement.
Your Retirement
A Maine resident shovels out his mailbox. — Photo by Jose Azel/Aurora
Some of the bottom dwellers might come as a surprise.
Maine's high cost of living and harsh climate dragged down the state's appeal to retirees.
Joblessness and tax burdens weighed on Michigan.
Massachusetts received a poor ranking because of cold weather and the cost of living.
"It's no secret that retirees generally don't like the cold," notes MoneyRate.com about the abundance of northern locales on the list. "However, the weather is far from the only problem these states have."
[AARP Editor's Note: Individual cities in many of MoneyRate.com's "worst" states have earned spots on AARP's Best Places to Retire lists. Portland, Maine, and Anchorage, Alaska, for example, were picks for Great Cities for Outdoor Lovers. Providence, R.I., made it onto our Great Quirky Places to Retire list, and New York and Boston were both designated Great Places to Retire for the City Life. After reading the MoneyRates.com list on the next page, be sure to check out all of our Best Places lists.]
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