3 Reasons Retirees Fall in Love With Living in Iowa

 If you grew up in Iowa like me, you’ve probably heard just about everyone in the workforce say they are leaving when they retire. No one seems to think the best place to retire is in Iowa. Yet when it’s time to strike the iron, most don’t budge an inch from their cozy recliner on their cozy corner of the street. And as someone who’s left and returned to Iowa many times, I definitely get it. Especially now that my own parents are retirement age, I know they will continue to carry Iowa IDs until their last breath. 

Iowa Retirees Staying Put for Affordability and Cost of Living

Despite big dreams of a blissful life devoid of winters in knee-deep snow and mosquito-free summers, most retirees value affordability far more than a new location. Recent studies show that affordability is the top factor for Americans' retirement, and that trend is steadily increasing. It’s a direct reflection of today’s aging retirees feeling like they haven’t saved enough to keep up with the changing tides. Iowa consistently ranks among the top 10 most affordable states, placing 7th on the cost-of-living index this year. It also offers notable tax breaks for seniors. Some of those appealing perks include non-taxable Social Security benefits, pension exemption, potential property tax exemptions for qualified seniors, and a progressive income tax on retirement income. All of the above alone are very legitimate reasons to live in Iowa, especially beyond retirement.

Weather, Climate, and Natural Beauty in Iowa Are Worth Staying For

Luckily, I still have more decades to complain about the weather. And apparently so do the retirees who will whine about too much snow and too much humidity until the day they die. Literally, it’s almost like our love language, we’ve got nothing better to complain about, so about the weather it shall be. But the thing is, once you’ve tried out a few other climates, Iowa starts to look pretty great. When I lived in Arizona and California, I really missed things like rainy, autumn days, brilliant green grass, and even white Christmases. When I tried living abroad, the most common comment I heard from internationals was how much they wished they could live in a climate with four seasons. So apparently, we don’t know what we’re missing until we start thinking about living without it. 

Another funny thing happens without a 40-hour work week: Iowa starts looking a whole lot wilder than you’ve ever noticed before. There’s so much more than cornfields and interstates. In actuality, Iowa has seven distinct geographic areas worth exploring. Many of them are best highlighted by our dozens of exemplary state parks. Yet, Iowa remains quite the underrated road trip state, so you can still visit them all for free and at leisure, without ever worrying about crowds. 

Community and Safety Considerations

Clearly, affordability and a desirable climate are very important to retirees in Iowa and probably everywhere else, too. But the third most important factor is community, which is tied to family and safety. The truth is that no matter how annoying our in-laws, siblings, or children might be at any age or life stage, Iowans still prefer to have them close by. In other words, an Iowan who has always been an Iowan and has raised their own Iowans is more likely to stay than leave. But it’s not just family. Even retirees who initially came to Iowa for work or education say they prefer to stay because of its wider communities. This is thanks to something often referred to as “Iowa nice.” It’s a reference to the warmth and willingness to accept newcomers, it’s waving hello, holding the door open for others, and overall recognition, especially in small towns. Iowa is also ranked among the safest states to live in, thanks to low crime rates, strong road safety, and high personal safety. 

All in all, Iowa is an affordable state to live in with great tax benefits for seniors, has more natural beauty than it gets credit for, and a sense of community, belonging, and safety that retirees are looking for. Keep browsing for more reasons to love Iowa with Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner!