Retirement Living in Illinois
Illinois is another amazing place that’s turning into one of the Top Retirement Destinations in the country. Here, retirees can experience, mostly favorable weather all throughout the year. This means they’ll have plenty of opportunities to do outdoor activities like sports, leisure and entertainment.
Also known as the Prairie State, Illinois is dotted with gorgeous nature preserve and state parks which features canyons, lakes and trails. All these in addition to the rolling hills, wetlands and farmlands scattered across the region.
Illinois is truly a beautiful state for active adults who’re looking for a quiet and “close to the big-city” kind of environment. So whether you’re looking for a huge 5k-home Retirement Community or a simple, tight-knit 300-home Active Adult Neighborhood, there’s definitely a place for you here in Illinois.
Illinois Climate and Geography is Ideal for Active Retirement
The state of Illinois is found in the Midwest Region of the country. It has a total land area of 55,518.89 square miles. It’s surrounded by Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana. The Mississippi River covers most of the state’s western border.
With regards to the climate, this state has varying continental climate with huge temperature extremes not moderated by either mountains or oceans. Most of Illinois experiences a humid continental climate which results to hot, humid summers and cold winters.
The average temperature here is 51.37°F with temperatures rising up to 86°F in July and dropping as low as 19°F in January. This mild, four-season climate is what attracted most retirees to different Active Adult Communities here in Illinois.
Illinois offers Plenty of Recreation, Culture and Entertainment for Active Adults
With a big state such as Illinois, it is expected to see a lot of interesting places to visit and restaurants to try out. A lot of Retirement Communities are taking advantage of these amazing tourist spots and local attractions.
For outdoor fun and recreation, retirees can visit some national and state parks surrounding the area. To mention some there’s the Starved Rock State Park, which is a wide nature preserve with canyons and trails – the perfect spot for hiking, walking, biking and camping. There’s also the Matthiessen State Park, the Chillicothe Park District, the Comlara Park and the Washington Park District.
At the Three Sisters Park, the locals hold different festivals and other events, which can be enjoyed by residents as well as tourists.
Retirees who love to play golf can play at various public and private golf courses dotting the state. There’s the Quail Meadows Golf Course, the Ironwood Golf Course, and the Country Hills Golf Course.
There are also a couple of art galleries and museums located here like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site and the Navy Pier.
The Mile offers a wide selection of shopping items ranging from high-end boutiques to exclusive shops. Plus, there are several live entertainment, hotels, restaurants and museums nearby.
Here, active adults will find everything they need just a couple of miles away from their home. They also can enjoy various on-site leisure amenities provided in their respective age-restricted communities.
Cost of Living and Taxes to Consider when Retiring to Illinios
The state income tax in Illinois is calculated by multiplying the net income by a flat rate – the corporate income tax is 5.25% while the personal income rate is 3.75%. The average cost of living here is $96.20 which 3.80% lower than the US average of $100. Furthermore, property tax is a local and not a state tax.
Active adult homebuyers find this news really good since they can spend more on the things that they want and need. Plus, there are a bunch of affordable housing options offered in different 55+ Communities in Illinois.
Illinois Healthcare for those in Retirement
There are many hospitals and medical centers dotting this place. There are also a couple of specialized centers here like the Cardiovascular Services – Hopedale and the Illinois Neurological Institute.
Some of the hospitals found here include the Advocate Eureka Hospital, which is a general medical and surgical facility. Then there’s the Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and the Prohealth Medical Group.
The OSF Center of Health – Morton and Streator are a full-service outpatient medical facility which provides an array of health care services to residents in Illinois.
And on average, there are 219 physicians per 100,000 population in this state. This number is more than the US average of 210 (physician to patient ratio). This is also one reason why a lot of retirees are now flocking to various 55+ Neighborhoods in Illinois.
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