In an uncertain economy, retirees face new challenges. MoneyRates, a rate-comparison site, has been helping those looking ahead to their later years by ranking all 50 states in terms of retirement since 2011. But rather than analyzing beach vs. mountain views, which is what many people may think of when they dream of retirement, the MoneyRates analysts consider several more practical factors: things like cost of living, taxes, safety, lifestyle, and healthcare.

MoneyRates recently released their state rankings for 2021, and topping the list (tied with Iowa) as the best state for retirement in the nation is West Virginia.

What makes West Virginia so attractive to retirees? Affordability. The Mountain State boasts low health care costs, low property taxes, and a low cost of living - all well below national averages.

The article also notes that "West Virginia is popular with older residents, as the state has the third-largest proportion of people aged 65 or over." So apparently, many people have already discovered what MoneyRates is only just realizing: West Virginia is an excellent choice for those who are ready to leave their working days behind them.

Here are a few other considerations that add to West Virginia's appeal as a good retirement option:

Location: we're not far from several big cities (Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Lexington), allowing for a rural daily experience in reach of national and international travel options.

Variety: with river valleys and mountain highlands, rugged peaks and deep caves, northern and southern culture, big cities and small towns, West Virginia has an option for all kinds of preferences.

Recreation: if you want to spend your retirement years hiking, shopping, relaxing, eating good food, exploring beautiful landscapes, fishing, boating, bird watching, gardening, taking scenic drives, touring museums, listening to local music, or any number of other appealing choices, you can find all those options right here in West Virginia within easy reach of one another.

Are you pondering your retirement? What factors are you considering as you think through where you want to spend it? Has West Virginia earned a place on your list of possibilities?

Not that you need more convincing, but just in case, here are a few photos that prove that West Virginia's nickname of "Almost Heaven" is well-deserved. What a great place to retire!