Retirees all have their own list of priorities when it comes to deciding where to retire, be it affordable living, nearby amenities, or proximity to family, among others. But now concern about our changing planet is influencing where retirees choose to live out the rest of their days. That’s right — how “green” a city is has become trendy for those entering their retirement years.
While retirees certainly aren’t concerned with how many green jobs a community has available, they do care about whether or not a community is prepared to face economic challenges like climate change and urban sprawl.
With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at
a few of the most “green” cities for retirees to consider.
Washington D.C.
Thanks to a reliable, clean, and convenient
public transportation system, our nation’s capital ranks as one of the greener
cities in the country. Almost 15 percent of local residents use public transit
to get to work, which is three times higher than the national average. This
means less cars on the road for retirees who wish to go about their day. D.C.
also ranks highly for air quality. Cross the Potomac River if you want to be
near the city, but not in it, and you’ll find the LEED-certified Arlington County,
which provides many options.
Austin, Texas
Austin is an LEED-certified green city that
was added to AARP’s list of most livable cities in 2018. Sensible urban
planning and incentivizing urban growth near public transit has led to its
inclusion, and while the city is known for its live music and youth culture,
the Austin City Council adopted an age-friendly action plan in 2016 to make the
city move livable for people of all ages.
Seattle, Washington
Another LEED-certified city, Seattle was
actually ranked by AARP as the most livable city in the country. Staying true
to its nickname — The Emerald City — Seattle is as green a city as you’ll find,
with its continuously cloudy skies giving way to lush lawns and greenery. The
city boasts numerous parks and has reduced its reliance on fossil fuels,
utilizing hydropower far more than any other source.
These three cities are just the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to green communities here in the U.S. But if you are
retired, perhaps from a green job maybe how eco-friendly a city is will become
a priority for where you choose to spend your later years. Happy hunting!
Green Jobs
How to Apply for a Green Job With the demand for green jobs skyrocketing so far in 2017, giving yourself a unique edge can be difficult—yet absolutely necessary—in order for you to become a proud worker for Mother Earth. Follow these steps to successfully claim your next environmentally friendly employment opportunity. 1. Resume: Make sure … Continue reading..
