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6 Metro Detroit cities named best places to retire in US

2 cities make top 10

TROY, Mich. – Six Metro Detroit cities made a list ranking the best places to retire in the country.

Troy and Livonia were listed in the top 10, claiming the sixth and eighth spots, respectively.

Chamber of Commerce, a website for small business owners, complied the rankings by looking at cities with a population of 10,000 people or more.

The website analyzed eight factors from the U.S. Census the FBI, and the American Association of Medical Colleges:

  • The percentage of the population older than 65.
  • The percentage of retirees in the 65 or older population.
  • The overall poverty rate.
  • The percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
  • The median cost of housing.
  • The number of physicians per 100,000 people.
  • The amount of violent crimes per 100,000 people.
  • The number of police officers per 100,000 people.

Two Massachusetts cities -- New Bedford and Quincy -- topped the list.

Other Metro Detroit cities include Southfield, Sterling Heights, Westland and Warren.

Here’s what the website had to say about Troy and Livonia:

Troy:

"Located in affluent Oakland County, Troy is a large suburb of Detroit with a population of 84,272. Owing to its low crime, great residential neighborhoods, and quirky local character, Troy is one of the ten best U.S. cities to retire in the United States, and the top retirement destination in the Great Lakes region.

"The city was first settled in the early 19th century though officially incorporated recently in 1955, and takes its name from Troy, New York, where many of the original settlers hailed from. Troy has much to offer retirees, including many public parks, large shopping districts, and a variety of housing, from to two-story houses to upscale condominiums to fit any needs.

"Retirees with a history jones will be drawn to the Troy Historic Village, an interactive museum with structures detailing the history of settlement in the city. Included in the museum’s exhibits are a blacksmith’s shop, an 18th-century schoolhouse, and a gazebo that serves as the location of annual festivals and events in Troy.

“From a statistics standpoint, Troy is a very welcoming environment for retirees with very low violent crime, a 19.6 percent share of the population 65 or older, and a very low 2.87 percent poverty rate. With a ratio of 271.9 physicians per 100,000 residents, retirees in Troy will have no problem choosing a doctor that’s right for them.”

Livonia:

"Livonia is a city in Michigan about 15 miles northwest of Detroit with a population of 93,971. While the city is rather large, Livonia is divided into a number of self-sufficient, immensely livable traditional neighborhoods making it an excellent city to retire in.

"Settled in the first half of the 19th century, Livonia is the quintessential Michigan suburb with churches, parks, a public library, a local newspaper printed twice weekly. Retirees have no problem making themselves comfortable in the city. With a Walmart, Target, and other big-box stores, shopping proves to be very convenient in Livonia.

“With nearly a quarter of Livonia’s population being 65 or older, retirees in the city never feel out of place, and a large number of recreational activities in the city are specifically geared towards older folks. Furthermore, the median monthly housing cost is a very reasonable $1074, ensuring that retirees won’t burn through their savings in a short matter of time.”


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