Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in Glendale, Arizona?
Overview: Homesteaders first came to the desert land that is now Glendale in 1882 and built a canal. The new community drew Russian, Mexican and Japanese farmers, but it was not until the 1940s when Luke Field (now Luke Air Force Base) was built that Glendale began to grow.
These days Glendale is only nine miles northwest of downtown Phoenix and is still racially diverse. It has all the amenities of a big city and is the home of two pro-sports teams, the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals and the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes. Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox hold their spring trainings at Camelback Ranch. The Catlin and Old Towne districts have large concentrations of antique shops, but there are also big box store centers and malls. The city supports a symphony, a desert botanic gardens and multiple performing groups. The annual Chocolate Affaire boasts chocolatiers, confectioners, wine and chocolate pairings and live music.
Residents enjoy seven public pools, a group of dog parks and two golf courses. Regional parks such as Thunderbird Mountain and Estrella Mountain offer hiking and dramatic desert views. There are several community colleges.
Neighborhoods range from modest to beautiful. Generally, newer areas, which are mostly on the northern end of town, have larger, nicer homes. Xeriscaping is common.
Population: 256,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 27%
Cost of Living: Meets the national average
Median Home Price: $255,000
Climate: This area has very hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures are in the 90s and low-100s, and winter temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. On average, Glendale receives nine inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? Yes
Public Transit: Yes, and its light-rail system has a planned opening date of 2026.
Crime Rate: The violent crime rate is below the national average, but the property crime rage is above the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Conservative
College Educated: 30%
Is Arizona Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Some people say that Glendale lacks a sense of identity.
Notes: Glendale has grown by 5% within the last decade.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although it may not be a great spot for people with respiratory issues.
Arizona:
The Grand Canyon State was originally part of New Mexico. After the land was ceded to the U.S. in 1848, it became a separate territory. It did not enter the union until February 14, 1912. Copper was discovered in the area in 1848, and metals mining continues to be an important part of the economy. Cattle and tourism are two of the states other vital industries.
Although Arizona can be one of the hottest states in the union, air conditioning continues to bring more and more people to the urban areas. The Colorado Plateau spreads through Arizona from the north and is interspersed with remnants of the Rocky Mountains. The land flattens into desert near Phoenix. The Colorado River forms the state's western borders and snakes through the Grand Canyon.
Arizona is stubborn when it comes to time. It observes Mountain Standard Time on a year round basis.
Stats:
Population - 6,931,030
Persons 65 years old and over - 17%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 86%
Bachelor's degree or higher, persons age 25+ - 27%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 31%
White persons, not Hispanic - 58%
Median household income - $50,225
Median home value - $167,500
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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