There are some great reasons to retire in Alaska, especially if you love the great outdoors and wild animals and aren't afraid of the cold and snow. While winters are definitely chilly and dark here, the news isn't completely dismal as winter also brings amazing shows of the Northern Lights. When summer arrives, retirees in Alaska will be treated to endless hours of sunshine and temperatures that reach more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. Here are five facts about retirement in Alaska.
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- Outdoor Paradise - Often referred to as America's Last Great Frontier, Alaska is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the country. Home to giant mountains and giant animals, it is paradise for outdoorsy types. If you like to fish, there are some 3 million lakes and 3,000 rivers plus hundreds of miles of coastline to check out. The state is also home to abundant wildlife and residents will have an opportunity to spot grizzly and polar bears, plus lynx, moose, and humpbacked whales.
- Cool Small Towns - Alaska has some great small towns to retire in that still maintain a frontier atmosphere. Check out Juneau, Homer, and Seward, all three of which offer gorgeous locations and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife from bear to whales.
- Very Pricey - You'll need to make sure you've saved enough to afford retirement in Alaska, as it costs some 34 percent more than the national average to live here, according to MarketWatch. The website also reported that utilities are about 50 percent more than the United States average and food is 37 percent higher.
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- Can Be Hard to Access Hospitals - Unless you're living in a major city, accessing a hospital in an emergency can prove impossible in some parts of the state, and anyone with health issues should consider this when retiring in Alaska. "Some communities in Alaska are downright remote (the population density is one person per square mile, compared to 87 per square mile on average in the U.S.) and for folks in these towns, getting to a good hospital may mean a three-hour ride in a tiny plane," MarketWatch reports.
- Low to No Taxes - That said, from a tax perspective, retirees in Alaska win out. According to U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Alaska as one of the best places to retire for low taxes. "If you can get past the cold weather, Alaska is a tax haven for retirees. Alaska has no income tax or sales tax, and the state doesn't tax pension or Social Security income."
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