Rating by Canadian Senior Years(out of 5)
This is a very useful book for those considering retirement in the United States. It is well organized and the charts, rating system and maps in the book make it easy to use.
AWARD WINNING PROFESSOR NAMES
"TOP 50" AFFORDABLE RETIREMENT TOWNS
Chester, NJ (10/1/01)-Seventy-six million American "Baby Boomers" born between 1946 and 1964 are moving toward retirement in an era of increasing affluence and mobility, and the number of relocating retirees is expected to rise substantially above the current annual rate of 1,000,000. Award winning geographer and professor at California State University, Warren Bland, Ph.D. has done your homework for you in this beautifully illustrated book, Retire in Style, 50 Affordable Places Across America.
Drawing on the professional research he has done during the last 20 years, Bland has identified the 12 criteria most important to retirees. According to AARP, today's retirees are living longer and more actively, and are demanding a different mix of opportunities than did earlier generations. For many, upscale retirement no longer implies country club or beach resort living, but rather an active lifestyle in a safe, friendly, community that is rich in amenities. What criteria are retirees looking for?
Retire in Style will provide readers with the information they need to make intelligent choices among 50 outstanding upscale communities widely distributed across 10 regions and 23 states. Careful consideration was given to the final 12 criteria covered for each place (landscape, climate, quality of life, cost of living, transportation, retail services, health care, community services, cultural activities, recreational activities, work/volunteer activities, and crime). Each place discussion includes 5-6 pages of text, plus a beautifully crafted illustration page featuring a climatic table, a 12-variable rating table, and a map of the city and its surroundings.
Current books on American retirement towns are typically superficial or uneven in content, overly reliant on anecdotal information from local residents, and weak in their understanding of the physical environment of these places. Retire in Style, written by an economic geographer and award winning professor specializing in the regional geography of North America, takes a more objective, scientific approach to the study of retirement places and the result is a readable and informative book.
10 SIMPLE STEPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT RETIREMENT LOCATION
The biggest decision you must make is where you want to retire. Do you
prefer something close to your present hometown or do you want to see what
else is out there? Obviously your answer to this basic question can limit
your search.
Do you want the structured and secure atmosphere of a retirement
community or would you prefer a city or town with diverse groups of people,
more entertainment, and wider cultural advantages?
Research! You can never have too many facts and stats before making such
an important move. Check books, magazines and the Internet for material you
can use. Dr. Bland's book evaluates the top 50 towns and cities complete
with 12 key criteria for each place. He details statistics on everything
from healthcare, crime rate, climate, landscape and cost of living, even
noise and air pollution. There are also maps of each place showing
accessibility to the area listed.
Reduce your list of possible places to a manageable number, ten at most.
Gather additional information. Brochures, maps, economic and weather
data are supplied free from chambers of commerce and tourist bureaus.
Contact the local offices in the area you want to learn about.
Narrow your choices again, this time to five or six spots you will visit
for three or four days each to get a feel of each area and general
ambiance.
Don't rush into anything! You are moving toward a serious decision.
Decide wisely and slowly, not on impulse.
You are close to the final cut. Eliminate all but two or three places.
Visit the areas for at least three weeks each. Weigh the pros and cons
carefully, including climate, cost of living and especially the people who
will be your new neighbors and friends.
Meet with Realtors and make sure the home you want is within financial
reach. There are Realtors who specialized in retirement living. They are
called Senior Real Estate Specialists.
Take your time, get advice and opinions from friends and family
members. But remember, the ultimate choice is yours.
RECENT REVIEWS OF RETIRE IN STYLE
If you're a few years away from retirement, "Retire in Style" is a good place to begin your search for the ideal, affordable retirement haven.
Robert J. Bruss, Los Angeles Times
Devoting the last three years to seeking out ideal retirement towns---rating everything from air quality and crime to shopping and cultural happenings---the Cal State University Northridge geography professor wrote a book on where to live the good life in one's sunset years.
Caroline Dipping, San Diego Tribune
Bland....drew on 20 years of research to scout out communities with amenities important to baby boomer retirees.
Dana Bartholomew, Los Angeles Daily News
On my scale of one to 10, this superb new book rates a 10.
Robert J. Bruss, Tribune Media Services
Bland...rates 50 US communities based upon criteria such as climate, cost of living, transportation, health care, cultural and recreational offerings, crime rates, and volunteer opportunities. Book News, Inc.
...the book is a great resource to use to start the screening process because it makes it easy to quickly evaluate each location.
E. Thomas Wetzel, Retirement Living News
If you would like to order this book from Amazon.com, press the following link:
Advertising Information 
(out of 5)