For relocating baby boomers who want to remain in the workforce after retirement, there are several Southeastern locales that are known for their dynamic economies and overall expanding workforces, in addition to their appealing lifestyle attributes.
Libertyville, IL (PRWEB) January 12, 2016
Marian Schaffer, Principal and Founder of Southeast Discovery, a real estate consulting firm specializing in guiding Baby Boomers with their real estate needs in the niche markets of retirement relocation and second homes in the Southeast region, recently shared six areas in the southeastern U.S. that offer the most robust employment opportunities for baby boomers who want to continue working in retirement.
“We’ve been working with relocating baby boomers for more than 10 years, and what we’ve found is that, while large numbers of boomers are ‘officially retiring’ on a daily basis, many want to continue working in retirement for a variety of reasons,” said Schaffer. “For our clients who want to remain in the workforce in some capacity after retirement, there are several Southeastern locales we recommend that are known for their dynamic economies and overall expanding workforces, in addition to their appealing lifestyle attributes. For example, Volvo announced in May 2015 they would be investing $500M in a new plant that will provide 4,000 new jobs in Berkeley County, near Charleston, SC.”
Based on Schaffer’s experience, top areas for baby boomers who want to continue working in retirement include:
Nashville, TN: Known as “Music City,” the second largest city in Tennessee is a compelling choice for relocating baby boomers with its strong economy, low cost of living, natural beauty, temperate climate, and no state income tax, according to Schaffer. Nashville’s half million residents also enjoy outstanding educational institutions, excellent healthcare facilities, and continued development of the arts. Top employers in the Nashville area include Vanderbilt University & Medical Center; Nissan North America; Saint Thomas Health Services; Shoney’s Inc.; Verizon Wireless; Electrolux Home Products; and Kroger Company.
Knoxville, TN: “With no state income tax, beautiful mountains, and plenty of retirement-ready properties mere minutes from the city center, more and more people are recognizing Knoxville, Tennessee as a wonderful place to live,” said Schaffer. Eastern Tennessee offers an overall lower cost of living compared to the national average, a high quality of life, friendly neighbors, abundant cultural and educational activities, some of the best football in the Southeast, and desirable employment opportunities. Top employers in the Knoxville area include U.S. Department of Energy-Oak Ridge Operations; The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knox County Public School System; Covenant Health; University of Tennessee Medical Center; Dollywood; and Walmart Stores.
Greenville, SC: Greenville’s mild change of seasons is ideal for year-round outdoor activities at any of the 39 state parks and recreation centers in the area. “The city also offers many cultural attractions, unique events, a low cost of living and other attractive features that make it a popular retirement or relocation destination, including a robust economy,” said Schaffer. Top employers in the Greenville area include Greenville Health System; Michelin of North America Inc.; GE Power & Water; Fluor Corporation; Bi-Lo Supermarkets; Bon Secours St Francis Health System; and South Carolina State Government.
Atlanta, GA: Atlanta is a world-class city, home to numerous restaurants, cultural institutions, entertainment venues, and excellent medical facilities, and the cost of living and median house prices are both below national averages. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, one of largest airports in the nation, offers non-stop flights to nearly every place on the globe. Top employers in the Atlanta area include Delta Air Lines; AT&T; Emory University; United Parcel Service; Wellstar Health Systems; SunTrust Banks; Lockheed Martin; IBM Corporation; and Georgia Tech.
Charlotte, NC: “Charlotte is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation, and offers a combination of laid back Southern charm, small town friendliness, and a robust business and commerce scene,” said Schaffer. Top employers in the Charlotte area include Carolinas HealthCare System; Wells Fargo Company; American Airlines; Bank of America; Lowe’s; Novant Health; Daimler Trucks North America LLC; Walmart & Sam’s Club Stores; Harris Teeter; and Duke Energy Corp.
Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC: The “Triangle region,” as it is known, boasts a wealth of amenities, including plentiful educational and cultural offerings, excellent medical care, and abundant recreational opportunities. The Research Triangle in Raleigh is a well-known complex of high tech companies, international corporations and public and private research facilities. Durham is home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, and Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina. Top employers in the Raleigh/Durham area include the State of North Carolina; Wake County Public School System; IBM Corporation; WakeMed Health & Hospitals; North Carolina State University; Cisco Systems; GlaxoSmithKline; Fidelity Investments; and Wells Fargo.
According to Schaffer, other promising southeastern locales for relocating baby boomers who want to continue working in retirement include Chattanooga TN; Asheville NC; Wilmington NC; Hilton Head/Bluffton SC; Charleston, SC; and Columbia SC.
“What we have found over the last few years as we’ve been helping baby boomers relocate and retire is that the migration taking place in the Southeast is not limited to baby boomers; corporations are moving their headquarters and facilities to this part of the country as well,” said Schaffer. “Companies, on behalf of their employees, along with retirees, are finding the Southeast region to be a tax-friendly, lower cost of living, enjoyable place to live. This double migration creates a broad demographic mix of age groups which is economically healthy for the region.”