Kentucky Is The Only State Worse Than New Jersey For Retirees
According to a new report from WalletHub, New Jersey turns up second to last on their list of states that are the worst places to retire. Only one state is…
New Jersey is one of the worst places to retire according to a new analysis from WalletHub.
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)According to a new report from WalletHub, New Jersey turns up second to last on their list of states that are the worst places to retire. Only one state is worse for retirees and that's Kentucky. They say New Jersey is one of the worst places to retire.
The analysis from WalletHub was released on January 22, 2024. Their report factors in multiple financial factors and a few quality-of-life factors to drop our beloved Garden State to 48th on the list of places to retire. The report uses these factors in their analysis:
- Affordability
- Health care
- Quality of life
Taking a look at their list, affordability makes sense as retirees are on a fixed income. Additionally, New Jersey's high taxes (highest in the country if you look at some lists) are a giant red flag for retirees. Let's not forget the cost of real estate is also a giant red flag. This recent report shows how astronomical home prices are in Monmouth County. WalletHub considers access to quality healthcare important for retirees as well. For WalletHub, "quality of life" includes things like mild weather, the presence of "scenic byways" and the "number of bingo halls per capita".
Ummm, bingo halls? Are they serious about that one? My apologies if I'm missing something on the popularity and necessity of bingo halls for people in their golden years. If I am, please educate me.
This report is confusing because didn't this same website list New Jersey as a pretty good place to live? WalletHub ranked Jersey as 5th happiest in the country back in 2022. And also in 2022 they ranked our state as 2nd best place to live in the country.
According to their results this time around, New Jersey ranks 49th on the list of states in which to retire. Only one state in the entire country is below New Jersey. That last state... would be Kentucky.
OUCH. Only Kentucky is worse than New Jersey? Kentucky, ranked 41st for health care? That place that's ranked 45th for education? Kentucky, with it's 6th highest poverty rate in the nation... That's the only place worse off for retirees than New Jersey? Hmmmmm.
On the other hand, Kentucky is where all my favorite bourbon comes from so maybe there is a good reason to retire there even if they are last on this list.
Bottom line: clearly New Jersey can do better for retirees. Let's get at that.
Things We Love: Sandy Hook
It's not a secret. The tippy top of the Jersey Shore is a pretty spectacular place. There's so much to do at Sandy Hook.
Fishing, surfing, running, biking, sail boarding, exploring history, wild life watching and even going "full monte" at the only beach north of Florida where you can fully naked!
Today, we're saluting this great treasure of the Jersey shore that puts a magnificent end to the Bay Shore beach areas along the Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays and starts the 130+ mile north to south stretch of Atlantic coast down to Cape May. Sandy Hook, we love it!
We were fortunate to have a lot of our friends on social media contribute images to our collection. Others are contributed by the National Park Service! More pictures will be added as we receive them and process them.
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National Park ServiceFishing off the Sandy Hook Atlantic Ocean side and the bay side is a popular and fun thing to do.
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National Park ServiceThere's plenty of wild life on Sandy Hook if you're patient enough to find it.
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National Park ServiceSail boarding is very popular on the bay side as the ocean breezes provide plenty of wind power while the bay is just calm enough to enjoy the ride and "catch some air".
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National Park ServiceThe bay side of Sandy Hook Bay is a great spot to catch a sunset.
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National Park ServiceWe're not telling where this secret surf spot is. You'll have to do your own research.
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National Park ServiceThe bike path crosses over to the bay side and runs between Sandy Hook Bay and the old officers quarters, so of which are being rebuilt.
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National Park ServiceA baby plover checking out the area. The beaches are a protected nesting spot for these interesting birds.
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National Park ServiceThere's lots of places on Sandy Hook where the locals know the surf kicks in. New Jersey has lost the reputation of being "lame" for surfing thanks to our fall and winter seasons.
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Dana ErichsonInteresting pic from our Facebook friend Dana because you can get an amazing sunrise and an amazing sunset - both over the water - at Sandy Hook.
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Rich DaltonOur Facebook friend Rich sent in this picture clearing showing the base honoring someone important to our nation.
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Mike StellaSun and clouds mix to create this great capture from Mike Stella.
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Mikes capture of this Sandy Hook Bay picture is beautiful.
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Mike StellaThe history is almost everywhere on Sandy Hook.
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Jenny ShepherdThis cool pic is from our Facebook friend Jenny. You can see the officers quarters in the back ground.
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Jenny ShepherdJenny caught this pic of the officers quarters viewed through one of the rock walls. Neat!
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Mike StellaIf you're interested at all in American history or military history, Sandy Hook is certainly a place to check out.
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Erin ReynoldsOur Facebook friend Erin has captured a great beach scene: empty beach stretching forever. Off in the distance is the Manhattan skyline.
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Michael GirondaOur friend Mike took this pic from the top of the lighthouse. Great view of the Manhattan skyline. Hard to imagine 8 million people on that island!
Esther CarolineThere's even a part of Sandy Hook beach that allows nude sunbathing! The fans of "Gunnison Beach" drive for hours to be there.
