A small southern getaway overlooking the Mississippi River is gaining popularity throughout the state after a third-party study found that it is one of the best places to retire.
The Gulfport, MS, Sun Herald reports that SmartAsset, a finance technology company headquartered in New York, found that the small city of Natchez, MS is one of the five best places to retire to in the entire state of Mississippi.
Richard Douglas, a recent retiree who moved to Natchez from Pennsylvania with his wife, would argue that the town is a top five option in the country, let alone the state.
“For me, just the sheer beauty of the homes and the town itself are really inspiring,” Douglas said. “There is something special about seeing that every day.”
Natchez has been a certified retirement city since 1997, which means it meets an extensive list of standards that benefit retirees. These criteria include quality health care, recreational opportunities, and a safe community.
Statistics from SmartAsset’s study show that about 18.4% of Natchez’s population is composed of senior citizens. Living in an area with like-minded individuals is an important aspect of retirement community for many people.
“Most senior citizens have time on their hands, so they’re drawn to places that have recreation and entertainment opportunities,” said A.J. Smith, managing editor and vice president of content for SmartAsset. “They also want other senior citizens to do those activities with.”
The small-town atmosphere combined with easy access to popular attractions and destinations is a huge sell for many retirees.
These communities often fill up quickly, so seniors need to make arrangements early to move into high quality new homes for their retirement years.
Places like Natchez are few and far between. Publisher Condé Nast recently ranked Natchez as one of the friendliest cities in America.