Dear Humans,
There are many things that I love about my home in Northern New Jersey, specifically Bergen
County. I love the Italian food stores with amazing sausages (shout out to Waldwick Prime Meats who
also give out dog bones if you ask), the very patient groomers at Ramsey’s own Pet-A-Groom (can you
believe that I have been rejected from multiple groomers because my hair is too “high-maintenance?”),
and most importantly, the long-suffering Wyckoff Police Department (who have captured me many times
when I decide to jump the 5 foot high fences in my backyard and take a jaunt through the neighborhood).
Fun fact: the last time the police found me (more than 8 miles away from my house!) in Bergen
County, they texted all the other Northern New Jersey Police Departments, trying to figure out what kind
of dog breed I am (spoiler alert: they all lost, I am a Bergamasco. The closest guess was a Puli).
Additionally, I now have a GPS tracker chip in my collar.
The Smaller Puli:
The Bigger Bergamasco:
However, there are some things that I dislike about New Jersey, like the lack of affordability and
high healthcare costs that humans, like the Taylor family, have to deal with. Moreover, New Jersey is not
alone in being a high-cost state. When WalletHub compared the 50 states to find the “Worst and Best
States for Retirement” based on factors of affordability, quality of life and health care, New Jersey was
not even listed as the worst state to retire in! Using 46 metrics and grading each state on a 100-point
scale (with 100 being the most favorable conditions for retirement), WalletHub listed the 5 worst
states for retirement in the following order.
5. New Jersey
New Jersey’s total retirement score was only 47.85 out of 100, a definite failing grade. Some specific
metrics that brought the state’s total score down are affordability of 45, quality of life of 33, and health
care of 29. However, I would like to assure you that my quality of life in Northern New Jersey is
100/100!
4. Vermont
Vermont’s total retirement score was a very low 47.76 out of 100. This failing score was definitely
brought down by affordability of 50 and health care of 23, but Vermont’s real nail in the coffin was its
quality of life of 6. I guess all the skiing in the world can’t make up for the fact that the state has nearly as
many cows as it does people.
3. West Virginia
West Virginia has a total retirement score of 47.26, which is not a pretty number. Bringing that total
number down was affordability of 22, quality of life of 41, and health care of 49.
2. Rhode Island
Rhode Island possesses a total retirement score of 45.94, with affordability of 46, quality of life of 43,
and health care of 18.
1. Kentucky
And the winner of the worst state to retire in is Kentucky! With a total retirement score of only 43.85
out of 100, affordability of 32, quality of life of 48, and healthcare of 47, you should think long and hard
before retiring here. Although I will always have a soft spot for Kentucky’s fried chicken, I think I will
enjoy it in a different state.
In conclusion, make sure to do your research before choosing a state to retire in! After all,
what you find might surprise you. For a list of the best big cities to retire in and make your $1 million last,
check out the last cat blog on our website (I swear, the cats aren’t all bad)! Additionally, if you would like
help figuring out where you should retire, I encourage you to contact the Taylor Financial Group team for
assistance – we are fee-based financial planners located in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
Till next time,
Coco Taylor
Sources Cited:
https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2019/01/18/12-worst-states-for-retirement-2019/?kw=12%20Worst%20Sta
tes%20for%20Retirement:%202019&et=editorial&bu=TA&cn=20190121&src=EMC-Email&pt=EarlyW
ire