Best Places Sign Up Information

• General: It may not come as a shock that San Francisco is at the top of the list for LGBTQ friendly cities in America. After all, about 6.2% of the city''s population identifies as LGBTQ. San Francisco first became a gay haven during WWII when the Navy discharged gay sailors who were being expelled from serving at Treasure Island. Many decided to stick around. Additionally, the Castro District in downtown San Francisco is known in particular for catering to the LGBTQ lifestyle. The entire neighborhood is comprised of restaurants, bars, and hotels that are LGBTQ friendly. 
• Transgender Healthcare: San Francisco has several healthcare organizations that provide care to transgender individuals including the San Francisco Community Health Center, UCSF Transgender Care, and San Francisco Transgender Institute. 
• LGBTQ Rights: California has a full score of 10/10  and protects youth from the so-called "conversion therapy". This state also has policies and laws that mandate gender marker updates on both birth certificates and driver's licenses, among many other laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals.  For the full list of what California supports in terms of LGBTQ rights, visit the Human Rights Campaign page and click on California. 

• General: Portland, OR comes in a close second with LGBTQ friendly bars such as the open-air Vendetta and the Vault Cocktail Lounge. The city has long been deemed a queer oasis for many in the PNW. Portland has so many LGBTQ friendly events, dining establishments, and organizations that it needs it''s own Gay Yellow Pages. Much higher than the national average, more than 5% of the population identify as LGBTQ. Portland is also the first major city to elect a gay man for mayor, Sam Adams in 2008. Additionally, Portland is home to the all-volunteer chapter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
• Transgender Healthcare: Portland offers a multitude of transgender healthcare opportunities including the following: The Q Center, Legacy Health''s Transgender Health Services, and Kaiser Permanente''s Northwest Gender Pathway Clinic. 
• LGBTQ Rights: Oregon fairs very well in terms of LGBTQ equality rights with a perfect 10/10 score. Oregon not only prohibits housing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation but also prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on these two components of one''s being.

• General: With about 4.8% of the population identifying as LGBTQ, Seattle received one of the highest Human Rights Campaign scores. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign recognized nine of Seattle''s medical centers and hospitals as leaders in health care equality. The Seattle LGBT Commission regularly advises the area about community policies and issues. Seattle hosts PrideFest, the largest pride festival in the country which attracts over 130,000 people each year. 
• Transgender Healthcare: Seattle is home to many health centers that offer transgender healthcare such as Virginia Mason Transgender Health Services, Trust Women Transgender Health Services, and Ingersoll Gender Center. 
• LGBTQ Rights: With a perfect score of 10/10, Washington is very LGBTQ friendly in terms of gay rights. The state has a law that prohibits discrimination against students based on gender identity and sexual orientation and also prohibits housing discrimination based on these two things. 

• General: With several LGBTQ friendly dining establishments such as Big Gay Ice Cream and Henrietta Hudson, NYC is a major LGBTQ friendly destination. NYC is also home to The Center, short for The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center which has won awards and is known for its strong LGBT programs such as advocacy, health, support and spirituality, youth, and social life events.
• Transgender Healthcare: NYC is home to many healthcare facilities that offer transgender healthcare such as Callen-Lorde, Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, as well various NYC Health and Hospital locations. 
• LGBTQ Rights: New York City scores a 10/10 in terms of LGBTQ rights with several protections including a ban on insurance exclusions for transgender healthcare and a law that protects from hate or bias crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

5.  Baltimore, Maryland

• General: Baltimore is fifth on the list with several LGBTQ friendly dining opportunities such as the speakeasy W.C. Harlan, which boasts locally sourced craft cocktails. There is also a cocktail bar called Rye that offers group mixology classes.  The city is home to the Pride Center of Maryland, a nonprofit that serves the LGBTQ population of Baltimore. The center offers several support groups among other services. BPT (Bi & Proud Together) is an organization in Baltimore that holds a monthly support group for people who identify as bisexual, pansexual, or fluid that was created to provide a community for these individuals due to perceived marginalization from both heterosexuals and certain LGBT communities.   
• Transgender Healthcare: Trans Healthcare MD, University of Maryland Transgender Healthcare, and The John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health all offer great options for transgender healthcare in Baltimore. 
• Gay rights: With a score of 9/10, the only general area of life for LGBTQ individuals that Maryland doesn''t have laws protecting is education. The state does have laws that prohibit harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Among other laws, Maryland has a law that addresses bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

• General: It may not come as a shock that San Francisco is at the top of the list for LGBTQ friendly cities in America. After all, about 6.2% of the city''s population identifies as LGBTQ. San Francisco first became a gay haven during WWII when the Navy discharged gay sailors who were being expelled from serving at Treasure Island. Many decided to stick around. Additionally, the Castro District in downtown San Francisco is known in particular for catering to the LGBTQ lifestyle. The entire neighborhood is comprised of restaurants, bars, and hotels that are LGBTQ friendly. 
• Transgender Healthcare: San Francisco has several healthcare organizations that provide care to transgender individuals including the San Francisco Community Health Center, UCSF Transgender Care, and San Francisco Transgender Institute. 
• LGBTQ Rights: California has a full score of 10/10  and protects youth from the so-called "conversion therapy". This state also has policies and laws that mandate gender marker updates on both birth certificates and driver's licenses, among many other laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals.  For the full list of what California supports in terms of LGBTQ rights, visit the Human Rights Campaign page and click on California. 

• General: Portland, OR comes in a close second with LGBTQ friendly bars such as the open-air Vendetta and the Vault Cocktail Lounge. The city has long been deemed a queer oasis for many in the PNW. Portland has so many LGBTQ friendly events, dining establishments, and organizations that it needs it''s own Gay Yellow Pages. Much higher than the national average, more than 5% of the population identify as LGBTQ. Portland is also the first major city to elect a gay man for mayor, Sam Adams in 2008. Additionally, Portland is home to the all-volunteer chapter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
• Transgender Healthcare: Portland offers a multitude of transgender healthcare opportunities including the following: The Q Center, Legacy Health''s Transgender Health Services, and Kaiser Permanente''s Northwest Gender Pathway Clinic. 
• LGBTQ Rights: Oregon fairs very well in terms of LGBTQ equality rights with a perfect 10/10 score. Oregon not only prohibits housing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation but also prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on these two components of one''s being.

• General: With about 4.8% of the population identifying as LGBTQ, Seattle received one of the highest Human Rights Campaign scores. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign recognized nine of Seattle''s medical centers and hospitals as leaders in health care equality. The Seattle LGBT Commission regularly advises the area about community policies and issues. Seattle hosts PrideFest, the largest pride festival in the country which attracts over 130,000 people each year. 
• Transgender Healthcare: Seattle is home to many health centers that offer transgender healthcare such as Virginia Mason Transgender Health Services, Trust Women Transgender Health Services, and Ingersoll Gender Center. 
• LGBTQ Rights: With a perfect score of 10/10, Washington is very LGBTQ friendly in terms of gay rights. The state has a law that prohibits discrimination against students based on gender identity and sexual orientation and also prohibits housing discrimination based on these two things. 

• General: With several LGBTQ friendly dining establishments such as Big Gay Ice Cream and Henrietta Hudson, NYC is a major LGBTQ friendly destination. NYC is also home to The Center, short for The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center which has won awards and is known for its strong LGBT programs such as advocacy, health, support and spirituality, youth, and social life events.
• Transgender Healthcare: NYC is home to many healthcare facilities that offer transgender healthcare such as Callen-Lorde, Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, as well various NYC Health and Hospital locations. 
• LGBTQ Rights: New York City scores a 10/10 in terms of LGBTQ rights with several protections including a ban on insurance exclusions for transgender healthcare and a law that protects from hate or bias crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

5.  Baltimore, Maryland

• General: Baltimore is fifth on the list with several LGBTQ friendly dining opportunities such as the speakeasy W.C. Harlan, which boasts locally sourced craft cocktails. There is also a cocktail bar called Rye that offers group mixology classes.  The city is home to the Pride Center of Maryland, a nonprofit that serves the LGBTQ population of Baltimore. The center offers several support groups among other services. BPT (Bi & Proud Together) is an organization in Baltimore that holds a monthly support group for people who identify as bisexual, pansexual, or fluid that was created to provide a community for these individuals due to perceived marginalization from both heterosexuals and certain LGBT communities.   
• Transgender Healthcare: Trans Healthcare MD, University of Maryland Transgender Healthcare, and The John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health all offer great options for transgender healthcare in Baltimore. 
• Gay rights: With a score of 9/10, the only general area of life for LGBTQ individuals that Maryland doesn''t have laws protecting is education. The state does have laws that prohibit harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Among other laws, Maryland has a law that addresses bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The following is a lightly edited transcript of a phone interview conducted by Newsletter Manager, Emma Butterfield, as she sat with a soy chai latte in hand in her studio apartment in Downtown, Portland OR. 

1. Do you have any pointers for what to take note of when visiting your top retirement town choices? 

Rita: Visit your top retirement town in July because the humidity is bound to be the worst during that month. This way, if you are someone who abhors humidity, you will be able to determine if you can tolerate the humidity when it peaks with intensity.  The availability of reliable healthcare is key, and Rita emphasized her priority of residing within fifteen minutes of a decent hospital. Consider how much dining out costs and  the general cost of living because retirement often means fixed income and living on a tight budget. Consider the hobbies and values that are most important to you and make sure that your prospective retirement communities allow you to continue to nurture those values. For example, having a pool at home is very important to Rita so she made it a priority to talk to a pool builder while she was visiting her top town choices. 

2. Other than low crime rates, what else draws you to small town living for retirement? 

Rita:.Rita emphasized the fact that low rates of crime is the factor that holds the most weight for her in terms of what she looks for in a retirement location. Smaller towns typically aren't as expensive as their larger counterparts, so this is another component that attracts her to them. Less traffic is another feature that draws her to small town life.   As retirement draws near, she's come to appreciate time more and loathes wasting it in traffic, something that big city dwellers have to get used to.

3. Which tools on our website do you find to be most helpful for retirement location research and why? 

Rita: A particular tool of interest is our city compare tool which compares each area based on a variety of components that are important to the relocation process. Rita discussed how she found this tool to be particularly useful for her relocation to Texas from Illinois in 2014, which inspired her to use it for her retirement research as well. Rita shared that she uses each comparison portion of the tool, including the demographics option which she utilizes to identify towns that have inhabitants that are at similar stages in life as she is. Making sure that she is not the only older person in a neighborhood with mainly young people with children is a priority for her. Additionally, many like Rita find the comparison feature to be quite helpful to eliminate locations that have undesirable features and to highlight locations with other features they are seeking. 

4. Do you have any other comments or pointers for our readers that you think will be helpful? 

Rita: Above all else, Rita emphasized the  importance of identifying your top priorities before you even begin your search.  Next, pick your top three places and visit them. While you're there, mix with and chat up the locals. Ask them things like: "where are the best places to eat and shop at in town?" and "do you know of any good realtors?". Make it a priority to really immerse yourself and maybe even visit a couple times to make sure it's the place for you. Another smart move is finding a realtor to give you some house sheets. This will allow you to get a better feel for the neighborhoods and what zip codes you want to live in. Tell them that you're really interested in the area and chances are they'll be more than happy to help you out. Another trick Rita shared is her utilization of Excel spreadsheets to organize and analyze the data she carefully curates.   During this process, she identifies the aspects of a town that are most important and attributes the appropriate weighted value to each, with the most important attribute being given the highest rating.

• Find the best place for you to live by taking our Find Your Best Place quiz
• Compare the cost of living in your current town to the cost of living in the town you''re considering with our Cost of Living Calculator
• Check out our article America''s Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement

We hope that you''re all staying safe and doing what needs to be done to keep everyone you love safe as well. Before we know it, our world will heal and return to a state of normalcy.

As always, we love to hear from our members and website researchers. If you have a question or comment you can reach us at emma@bestplaces.net.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones,
Emma Butterfield, BestPlaces Newsletters Manager

"Some states have no income tax, others have no sales tax, but every locality has a property tax.  Property tax rates vary greatly between states and cities.  Some of the variation is due to the absence of a state income or sales tax, but another factor is the local cost of housing," reveals BestPlaces founder Bert Sperling.

"In our rankings, you can see that Hawaii has the lowest property tax rate but its property tax amount is near the national average ($2886)," shares Bert.  "The reason is that Hawaii has the highest home cost of any state, so a low tax rate will still raise plenty of money for its government programs.

"Property, sales, income, and even automobile taxes all vary between states, but one thing is certain. governments will find a way to get the money they need to deliver the services their residents want and need," concludes Sperling.

If state and local taxes are an important part of your relocation decision, check out the Taxes section in our enhanced Cost of Living comparison to get the complete tax picture for any city. As part of our Premium Subscription you get customized Cost of Living comparisons, including property taxes, between any two cities in the United States.  You can enter your own salary and home costs to calculate the local property taxes, plus see a comparison of other taxes, home values, health care costs, child care, and more. Click here to learn more.

• Alabama has the next lowest average property tax after Hawaii with an average of $4.22 per $1,000 in home value, which means that real estate owners pay $616 in annual taxes on the average $146,000 home.
• Louisiana comes in third place with an average $5.20 per $1,000, with the result that homeowners pay an average of $867 per year in property taxes.
• Washington, D.C. is also one of the places on our list with a very low property tax in comparison to other places in the U.S., averaging at $5.45 for every $1,000. Despite D.C.''s low tax rate, a high median home price of $651,500 results in a hefty $3,551 in annual property taxes.
• In fifth place comes Colorado with an average of $5.51 for every $1,000 and $2,234 on a median $405,400 home.

• Explore Museums and National Monuments Virtually: Quarantine life has surely been difficult in many ways but one aspect of life that has improved for many of us is our access to museums throughout America. Various institutions around the U.S. have opened their doors online, providing free digital viewing at their exhibits. For the 4th this year, try celebrating the holiday by exploring the history of our country with virtual visits to the the Statue of Liberty,  George Washington''s Mount Vernon, NASA, or the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 
• Philadelphia Online Tour: Philadelphia is a city that has clearly been an integral part of our countries creation and history. After all, It was the first capital of the United States and the location where the founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Articles of Confederation. Enjoy exploring the iconic historical sights such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House with Visit Philadelphia''s nifty online tour. This tour is complete with video, narration, and 360-degree photos.
• Virtual 5k''s: 4th of July 5k runs present an opportunity for runners- and strollers alike- to energize themselves and release endorphins in a fun way. More recently, online groups have started to offer many virtual runs that anyone can participate in at their own speed, anywhere across the U.S. So throw on your sneakers and enjoy some fresh air while celebrating the U.S.! 
• NYC fireworks: For anyone who is interested in viewing the NYC Macy''s Fourth of July fireworks show but can''t make it to the Big Apple (or doesn''t want to expose themselves to crowds at the moment), the Macy''s 4th of July fireworks will be televised on NBC on July 4th. The streaming will also include footage of displays from previous nights along with music and tributes to essential and healthcare workers who continue to do so much for our country throughout this pandemic. 
• Other Televised Fireworks: Although many firework displays this year have been cancelled, some cities, such as Nashville and Boston, still plan on televising their events which will include live performances in addition to previously recorded material. Try arranging for everyone in your circle to tune in over conference call so that you can appreciate the beauty of the show together! 
• Fireworks in D.C.: Our nation''s capital is a great place to celebrate the country. Even though some Fourth of July ceremonies have been cancelled in D.C. this year, the fireworks will still take place as planned. Military demonstrations, flyovers, and music will all be a part of this effort to honor our country''s veterans and service members. For the finale, the celebration will include a fireworks display over the National Mall. The show will also be available for virtual viewing on PBS on Saturday, July 4, from 8-9:30 p.m. ET.
• Santa Clarita 2020 Spirit of America Fireworks Spectacular: Santa Clarita's show over Westfield Valencia Town Center will be one of the few outdoor fireworks shows in the area this year. There will be restrictions due to Covid-19 and the show will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. Check out the link here for more information. 

• Rancho Cucamonga Community Fireworks Show: Rancho Cucamonga, CA plans to host a free, 15- minute fireworks show that will take place near Chaffey College. No viewers will be allowed on the campus. Spectators are welcome to watch the show from wherever they are at in the city or through Facebook Live (@CityofRanchoCucamonga).
• 4th of July in Boston: Even though Boston's annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will not happen in-person this year, the city plans to broadcast The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes. This will air on Bloomberg Radio Boston's WHDH-TV, and Bloomberg Television on Saturday, July 4, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Although this one may not come as a shock, New York City is at the very top of our rankings with a risk index of 10 and 1.840 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air, posing the greatest amount of risk of respiratory illness.  Air pollution has long been one of New York City's most significant public health challenges. The NYC Department of Health provides one grave example of this: between 2005 and 2007, levels of particulate matter contributed to over 3,000 premature deaths and over 8,000 ER department visits and hospitalizations for respiratory disease in NYC each year. With a population of 8.6 million, it''s going to take a strong effort to continue on the difficult journey of reducing the amount of air pollution.

One step in the right direction is that Governor Cuomo plans to meet 50% of New York''s energy demands with renewable sources by 2030. This project is supposed to be up and running by 2022 and should reduce carbon emissions by 1.6 million tons, the equivalent of taking 340,000 cars off the road- but there is still a long way to go. 

In comparison, the city at the bottom of the list with the lowest amount of particulate matter (0.345 micrograms per cubic meter) and the lowest risk index (1) is San Jose, CA. It may come as a surprise that San Jose is the city in the U.S. with the lowest amount of particulate matter since just last summer, San Jose leaders declared a climate emergency. Despite that fact, the amount of particulate matter, which is just one component of the overall air quality index, is the lowest of the fifty largest cities in the U.S.
 

In the San Francisco Bay Area Basin, most of the particulate matter stems from factories, demolition, agricultural activities, motor vehicles, construction, and grading. San Jose plans to try to keep the level of particulate matter low, and address the problem of the overall climate emergency, through a variety of tactics including the implementation of "all-electric, zero-net-carbon" new municipal facilities. Another effort that is underway is partnering with San Jose Clean Energy to provide 100% carbon-free energy to residents by 2021. San Jose also plans to prohibit the use of natural gas in new construction projects citywide by January 2023.

Overall, it''s clear that the city in our rankings with the lowest amount of particulate matter has some room for improvement in terms of improving the health of the environment and therefore the health of its inhabitants. There is still a long way to go, and the health risks associated with high levels of particulate matter highlight the importance of climate change substantially.  Notwithstanding the aforementioned, while we are taking steps in our own lives to reduce our impact on the environment, one positive thing we can keep in mind is that several other cities in the U.S., potentially ones that we might want to move to one day, are doing the same. 

Particulate Matter Health Risks

Specific health risks associated with high levels of particulate matter include cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks as well as asthma attacks and bronchitis. The size of the particles directly correlates with their potential for causing health problems. Fine particles pose the greatest risk because they can get deep into the lungs and possibly even into the bloodstream. As you can imagine, lung irritation poses a great concern in the age of Covid-19 because of the fact that it is a respiratory disease. Anything that weakens one's respiratory system puts them at greater risk of succumbing to the effects of the Coronavirus. Although coarse particles are less of a concern, they can still irritate the nose, throat, and eyes. To learn more about who is at the most risk from exposure to both types of particulate matter as well as ways to mitigate health risks, check out the EPA document  Particle Pollution and Your Health (PDF). 

• Explore Museums and National Monuments Virtually: Quarantine life has surely been difficult in many ways but one aspect of life that has improved for many of us is our access to museums throughout America. Various institutions around the U.S. have opened their doors online, providing free digital viewing at their exhibits. For the 4th this year, try celebrating the holiday by exploring the history of our country with virtual visits to the the Statue of Liberty,  George Washington''s Mount Vernon, NASA, or the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 
• Philadelphia Online Tour: Philadelphia is a city that has clearly been an integral part of our countries creation and history. After all, It was the first capital of the United States and the location where the founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Articles of Confederation. Enjoy exploring the iconic historical sights such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House with Visit Philadelphia''s nifty online tour. This tour is complete with video, narration, and 360-degree photos.
• Virtual 5k''s: 4th of July 5k runs present an opportunity for runners- and strollers alike- to energize themselves and release endorphins in a fun way. More recently, online groups have started to offer many virtual runs that anyone can participate in at their own speed, anywhere across the U.S. So throw on your sneakers and enjoy some fresh air while celebrating the U.S.! 
• NYC fireworks: For anyone who is interested in viewing the NYC Macy''s Fourth of July fireworks show but can''t make it to the Big Apple (or doesn''t want to expose themselves to crowds at the moment), the Macy''s 4th of July fireworks will be televised on NBC on July 4th. The streaming will also include footage of displays from previous nights along with music and tributes to essential and healthcare workers who continue to do so much for our country throughout this pandemic. 
• Other Televised Fireworks: Although many firework displays this year have been cancelled, some cities, such as Nashville and Boston, still plan on televising their events which will include live performances in addition to previously recorded material. Try arranging for everyone in your circle to tune in over conference call so that you can appreciate the beauty of the show together! 
• Fireworks in D.C.: Our nation''s capital is a great place to celebrate the country. Even though some Fourth of July ceremonies have been cancelled in D.C. this year, the fireworks will still take place as planned. Military demonstrations, flyovers, and music will all be a part of this effort to honor our country''s veterans and service members. For the finale, the celebration will include a fireworks display over the National Mall. The show will also be available for virtual viewing on PBS on Saturday, July 4, from 8-9:30 p.m. ET.
• Santa Clarita 2020 Spirit of America Fireworks Spectacular: Santa Clarita's show over Westfield Valencia Town Center will be one of the few outdoor fireworks shows in the area this year. There will be restrictions due to Covid-19 and the show will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. Check out the link here for more information. 

• Rancho Cucamonga Community Fireworks Show: Rancho Cucamonga, CA plans to host a free, 15- minute fireworks show that will take place near Chaffey College. No viewers will be allowed on the campus. Spectators are welcome to watch the show from wherever they are at in the city or through Facebook Live (@CityofRanchoCucamonga).
• 4th of July in Boston: Even though Boston's annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will not happen in-person this year, the city plans to broadcast The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes. This will air on Bloomberg Radio Boston's WHDH-TV, and Bloomberg Television on Saturday, July 4, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

The following is a lightly edited transcript of a phone interview conducted by Newsletter Manager, Emma Butterfield, as she sat with a soy chai latte in hand in her studio apartment in Downtown, Portland OR. 

1. Do you have any pointers for what to take note of when visiting your top retirement town choices? 

Rita: Visit your top retirement town in July because the humidity is bound to be the worst during that month. This way, if you are someone who abhors humidity, you will be able to determine if you can tolerate the humidity when it peaks with intensity.  The availability of reliable healthcare is key, and Rita emphasized her priority of residing within fifteen minutes of a decent hospital. Consider how much dining out costs and  the general cost of living because retirement often means fixed income and living on a tight budget. Consider the hobbies and values that are most important to you and make sure that your prospective retirement communities allow you to continue to nurture those values. For example, having a pool at home is very important to Rita so she made it a priority to talk to a pool builder while she was visiting her top town choices. 

2. Other than low crime rates, what else draws you to small town living for retirement? 

Rita:.Rita emphasized the fact that low rates of crime is the factor that holds the most weight for her in terms of what she looks for in a retirement location. Smaller towns typically aren't as expensive as their larger counterparts, so this is another component that attracts her to them. Less traffic is another feature that draws her to small town life.   As retirement draws near, she's come to appreciate time more and loathes wasting it in traffic, something that big city dwellers have to get used to.

3. Which tools on our website do you find to be most helpful for retirement location research and why? 

Rita: A particular tool of interest is our city compare tool which compares each area based on a variety of components that are important to the relocation process. Rita discussed how she found this tool to be particularly useful for her relocation to Texas from Illinois in 2014, which inspired her to use it for her retirement research as well. Rita shared that she uses each comparison portion of the tool, including the demographics option which she utilizes to identify towns that have inhabitants that are at similar stages in life as she is. Making sure that she is not the only older person in a neighborhood with mainly young people with children is a priority for her. Additionally, many like Rita find the comparison feature to be quite helpful to eliminate locations that have undesirable features and to highlight locations with other features they are seeking. 

4. Do you have any other comments or pointers for our readers that you think will be helpful? 

Rita: Above all else, Rita emphasized the  importance of identifying your top priorities before you even begin your search.  Next, pick your top three places and visit them. While you're there, mix with and chat up the locals. Ask them things like: "where are the best places to eat and shop at in town?" and "do you know of any good realtors?". Make it a priority to really immerse yourself and maybe even visit a couple times to make sure it's the place for you. Another smart move is finding a realtor to give you some house sheets. This will allow you to get a better feel for the neighborhoods and what zip codes you want to live in. Tell them that you're really interested in the area and chances are they'll be more than happy to help you out. Another trick Rita shared is her utilization of Excel spreadsheets to organize and analyze the data she carefully curates.   During this process, she identifies the aspects of a town that are most important and attributes the appropriate weighted value to each, with the most important attribute being given the highest rating.

• Find the best place for you to live by taking our Find Your Best Place quiz
• Compare the cost of living in your current town to the cost of living in the town you''re considering with our Cost of Living Calculator
• Check out our article America''s Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement

We hope that you''re all staying safe and doing what needs to be done to keep everyone you love safe as well. Before we know it, our world will heal and return to a state of normalcy.

As always, we love to hear from our members and website researchers. If you have a question or comment you can reach us at emma@bestplaces.net.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones,
Emma Butterfield, BestPlaces Newsletters Manager

Even if traveling frequently may not necessarily be the best option this Summer, there's no reason we can't think about how our location might impact the Summers that lay ahead and our Summer experience in general. Summer can be one of the most enjoyable times of the year for many reasons, but if you're not situated in a place with a comfortable climate and plenty of fun activities to keep you occupied, you're less likely to have a pleasant time. Based on a variety of factors such as access to entertaining activities, the outdoors, and various other local attractions as well as overall level of overall comfort, we've created a list with just the food for thought you're looking for. Read on to learn about the most enjoyable places to be during the Summer in the U.S.! 

• Seattle, WA 
  Home to some of the country's most sought after coffee, lots of history and culture, and a bustling art scene, Seattle's easy-going feel is something that many people find attractive. Resting between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is surrounded completely by water so it makes for a great place for various outdoor adventures such as camping, kayaking, and hiking. The close by Mount Rainier and Olympic Mountains provide beautiful views and ski slopes that are a short drive from the city. Even though Seattle may get a bad rep for its rainy weather, there's actually less precipitation per year than in Boston or New York. Even if you're not a big fan of outdoor activities, Seattle still has plenty to see and do. The glass-blown pieces at  Chihuly Garden and Glass in addition to the artwork on display at the Seattle Art Museum are sure to satisfy the art lover in anyone. Another exciting activity available is watching ships pass by at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Seattle even offers several boat tours with an inside look at how the locks operate. If you're a foodie, try checking out a couple of the many food markets such as Pike Place Market. Another thing that makes Seattle a great place to be during the Summer is the climate. The average daily high temperature during the summer is 77.4 degrees while the nighttime low temperature is 53.2 degrees. Seattle also averages at only 11 rainy days during the summer and only 5 days that are too hot.
   

• San Diego, CA
  With 70 miles of beautiful coastline and consistently sunny weather, there's no wonder that many are drawn to all that San Diego has to offer. The city is also known for its delectable Mexican cuisine, one of the most popular zoos in the country, and a bustling nightlife. Not to mention all the wonderful beaches such as Mission Beach, La Jolla Beaches, Coronado. The Gaslamp Quarter is known for its vibrant nightlife and provides a perfect activity for when you're done soaking up the sun for the day. San Diego's climate is also sure to please with an average daily high of 83.3 degrees and a nighttime low of 60.2 degrees. With an average of only 1 rainy day each Summer, not being able to recreate outdoors is almost never an issue. 
   

• Honolulu, HI
  Honolulu is a great place to be during the Summer for many reasons, one being the fact that it boasts many natural attractions that are exciting to explore. One example is the Diamond Head State Monument, which offers scenic views of Waikiki and an opportunity to explore an interesting dormant volcano crater. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve provides a beautiful bay with clear, pure water that is great for snorkeling and viewing a variety of colorful fish and coral. The Waikiki Trolley offers a hop-on, hop-off tour bus that allows you to explore as much of Honolulu as you want with several exploration options. Hi5 Tours Hawaii connects you with the most vibrant aspects of the town through delicious and beautiful food and scenery.  
   

• Outer Banks, North Carolina
  Known for the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright took the first flight (at Kill Devil Hills), Outer Banks is definitely a town that boasts notable history. Even if history isn't your forte, there's plenty of other opportunities to enjoy this beautiful town. Outer Banks is home to many places to explore the outdoors, including approximately 3,000 shipwrecks that can be explored by scuba diving and snorkeling. If you love being active outdoors, help yourself to the many wonderful locations to watch wildlife, fish, and windsurf. There are also many beaches and the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island is a great place for families to take the kids. With many old lighthouses, secluded beaches, vacation rental homes, cute beach shops, and large dunes, this is a truly unique destination worth exploring.
   

• Portland, Maine 
  Although at first thought, Portland may bring to mind images of sleepy beachside towns with tons of lobster, the town is much more than that. Although the city only has a population of 66,700, it has just as much to offer as many larger cities. Portland is very dedicated to the arts, boasts a wonderful dining scene, and works hard to preserve the famous Old Port. The city offers many museums and restaurants with James Beard Award-winning chefs all throughout the downtown area. It provides the best of both worlds- the city life AND the beach life. 

Even though tax season has come to an end, it''s still important to consider how taxes where you live, or where you are considering living, may impact prosperity and overall quality of life. 

After last week''s newsletter about the most tax-friendly places, you may be wondering about the states in the U.S. with the highest taxes. Scroll down to find out about the states that do the most damage to your wallet during tax season! 

Methodology and Assumptions

In this analysis, we calculated the taxes for a person with the median U.S. income, which is $60,000.

For income tax calculations, we used the tax year 2019 tables and assumed the person is single and took the standard deduction.

To calculate the amount of sales taxes, we combined the tax rates for the state, county, and local jurisdictions and multiplied this by the portion of a person's income which is spent on taxable goods and services according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (20.7%).

Real estate taxes include the property tax calculated using the state's median home cost and we also added the cost of the transfer fee for that property, spread over the average 13-year period a homeowner owns their place.

The annual taxes on automobiles can vary considerably so we included the sales tax (spread over a six-year period), the annual registration fee, and the amount of annual auto property taxes.

Not included in our analysis were excise taxes on goods such as gasoline, cigarettes, liquor, wine, and beer.  We've included these in our spreadsheet, with the maximum corporate income tax rate and taxation of Social Security.

Click here for our detailed spreadsheet showing the tax rates for all 50 states and many more tax statistics.

With beautiful beaches, countrysides, and plenty of other opportunities for careers and entertainment, California has many benefits but tax-friendliness is definitely not one of them. With a hefty effective state tax rate of 18.75%, residents have to plan for and factor in the reality that a substantial percentage of their finances will go towards taxes each year. The sales tax rate in California is also the highest in the country so that''s an important component to consider as well. The personal income tax rate for the state''s wealthiest is the highest in the country. One benefit of the state is that California has below-average property taxes due to Proposition 13, the 1978 measure that limited increases to no more than 2 percent a year.
 

 The most densely populated state in the country, New Jersey is right behind California with an extremely high effective state tax rate of 18.72%. With an average of $8,273, real estate taxes are also the highest in the country. Social Security income is not taxed but withdrawals from retirement accounts are partially taxed. 

New York state is home to America's number one world-class city and has many options for those who are career-driven or like to enjoy the arts. Although, the high taxes have the potential to complicate financial matters for residents. The state has an effective tax rate of 16.79% and the state income tax is one of the highest in the entire country. Sales taxes average at $1,016 per year, which is a very high number compared to many other states in the U.S. Social security income is not taxed but withdrawals from retirement accounts are partially taxed.