Here's an article that appeared on Yahoo Finance recently; https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-reasons-don-t-want-130517842.html?guccounter=1
I thought maybe I would examine what it's saying and clarify a few things. Perhaps this person had never been to Colorado. (My comments are in Red)
5 Reasons You Don’t Want To Retire in Colorado
Colorado has a lot going for it in terms of quality of life, thanks to its majestic scenery, lively cities and towns, numerous recreational options and distinct mountain culture. Those advantages extend to retirement, but Colorado isn’t ideal for every retiree. Is anyplace ideal for EVERY retiree?
Much of what makes Colorado inviting to many people also makes it a challenge for retirees. It’s the eighth-largest state in land mass, which contributes to its diverse geography but also means much of the state is isolated from metro areas that have amenities important to seniors. Additionally, Colorado’s towering mountains contribute to unforgiving weather during part of the year. Every state has unforgiving weather during part of the year, be it tornados, flooding or extreme heat or cold, etc.
If you’re thinking about Colorado as a retirement destination, here are five reasons you might want to think again.
It’s Not Cheap Compared to Other Places
The cost of living in Colorado is 6% higher than the national average, according to data from Rent Café’s Cost of Living Calculator. That doesn’t sound like much — until you consider that housing in Colorado is 20% higher than average, whether you are buying or renting. Certainly a valid point, quality costs more.
Apartments.com estimates that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denver hovers around $1,900 per month, while houses sell for well above the national average at around $556,000. Meanwhile, some of the posher resort towns like Aspen and Vail rank among the most expensive places in the country to live.
The cost of living in Colorado continues to increase as more people move to the state, Empower reported. Rising living costs outweigh some of Colorado’s financial advantages, such as comparatively low sales and property taxes.
The Weather Can Get Brutal
As a blog by Colorado-based Agemy Financial Strategies noted, Colorado gets plenty of sunshine every year, but it also gets severe weather in certain parts of the state. That includes heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, high winds, hail and the occasional wildfire. These kinds of events can disrupt electricity and other services that are especially important to seniors. Severe weather can also lead to high utility bills, especially during the frigid months. Retirees looking for moderate year-round temperatures and calm weather should look elsewhere. Let's see; heavy snowfall makes for good skiing, if you have ever come to Summit County in the winter you will know that cold here is nothing like cold in the mid-west and east that penetrates many layers of clothing, we can be outside in a sweater in February, try that in Buffalo. High winds? Maybe but rarely, no tornados or hurricanes and no flooding. In 40 years we have had one multi-day power outage compared to so many parts of the country (TX?) where it's an annual event. Yes you will pay higher utility bills in the winter but we don't need air conditioning here, what's it cost in the south and the west to run your air conditioner six months of the year?
You’ll Probably Need a Car
Colorado ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of transportation options. It has a decent No. 12 state ranking in public transit use, according to U.S. News. But much of the public transit is located in Denver — a fairly expensive and heavily populated city that might not be a good fit for retirees on a tight budget. Elsewhere in Colorado you will need to rely on a car, especially in the more remote (and less expensive) areas. This means you’ll have to factor in automotive costs to buy, maintain, repair and fuel up your vehicle. In Summit County we have free bus service to most parts of the county that runs early morning to late night. There's also a free "Mountain Mobility" door to door service for seniors. Additional there are door to door airport shuttles and the low cost Bustang if you want to go to other parts of the state. I don't know of may parts of the country where a car is not essential, duh.
And Traffic Gets Heavy
Colorado is a popular destination for both tourists and new residents, which leads to traffic congestion in just about all of the urban areas and many of the highways. The Centennial State also ranks in the bottom half of the country in road quality. If your idea of a perfect retirement includes leisurely drives in the country, Colorado is not the best option unless you want to live far away from important healthcare and other amenities. Summit County is not an urban area thank God. When you live here you can easily avoid the high traffic times. I've traveled to many parts of the country and believe me even at it's worst Denver is nothing compared to LA or Atlanta, or even Orlando, Miami and Tampa. And Summit County has easy access to health care that's far above average.
The Wildlife Might Be Too Close for Comfort
One of the great experiences for nature lovers is coming across wild bears, moose, deer, mountain lions and coyotes. But when you find them roaming into your back yard frequently, the charm can wear off in a hurry. Wild animal attacks are rare in Colorado. Even so, if you’re the kind of retiree who would rather see wildlife from the safety of your car, you might want to live elsewhere. Instead of watching wildlife from your car how about your living room window? They don't bother you if you don't bother them and it's one of the great parts about living here seeing a moose or elk in your front yard.
This article is a truly sad outlook on life. Hope this person stays where they are comfortable. Come try CO and live longer.