Americans approaching retirement age may prioritize happiness when looking for a new home — but safety is also high on the list.
Kathryn Ellen Barrett of Ridgeland, MS, tells Realtor.com® that she is on the verge of retirement and is starting to think about moving.
“When I’m looking for a place to live, safety is at the top of my list,” says Barrett, who is 62 and single. “My life involves a range of outdoor activities such as running and walking my dog - and it’s vitally important that I’m safe and secure.”
Barrett keeps an eye on the local news for crime updates and always takes safety precautions.
However, she wants to live in an area where she won’t be afraid to shop alone or work at night.
Take your secure space to the next level
Even if you live in a safe city, there are steps you can take to improve your safety.
According to security expert Erik G. Schneider, of Richmond, VA, retirees should “look for properties with good lighting, security systems, cameras, gated access or on-site security personnel.”
Once inside, Schneider recommends installing home security systems, motion-sensor lights, video doorbells, and high-quality locks on doors and windows to add a layer of security.
The safest places for retirees
Barrett and other retirees with similar safety concerns should explore US News & World Report’s list of the Safest Places to Live in the US.
The ranking was based on crime rate, using 2022 data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.
Here are the 10 safest cities in America — all of which have a lower crime rate than similarly sized metro areas:
- Median home price: $199,500
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.5/10 (with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst)
- Violent crime rate: 54.2/100,000
- Property crime rate: 322.5/100,000
- Median home price: $199,900
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.5/10
- Violent crime rate: 62/100,000
- Property crime rate: 196.3/100,000
- Median home price: $194,900
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.5/10
- Violent crime rate: 66.9/100,000
- Property crime rate: 151.2/100,000
- Median home price: $308,000
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.4/10
- Violent crime rate: 50.9/100,000
- Property crime rate: 324.5/100,000
- Median home price: $439,900
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.2/10
- Violent crime rate: 116.7/100,000
- Property crime rate: 761.6/100,000
- Median home price: $795,000
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.2/10
- Violent crime rate: 17.8/100,000
- Property crime rate: 314.4/100,000
- Median home price: $235,000
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.1/10
- Violent crime rate: 121.6/100,000
- Property crime rate: 1198.7/100.000
- Median home price: $119,999
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.1/10
- Violent crime rate: 136.1/100,000
- Property crime rate: 1091.5/100,000
- Median home price: $410,000
- USNWR Crime Index: 9.1/10
- Violent crime rate: 189.4/100,000
- Property crime rate: 970.3/100,000
- Median home price: $343,010
- USNWR Crime Index: 9/10
- Violent crime rate: 262.3/100,000
- Property crime rate: 725.8/100,000
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