A new story by the Forsyth County News touts a recent study naming Cumming as one of the best cities of retirees.
Below is an excerpt of the piece by reporter Kelly Whitmire…
The study, done by SmartAsset, looked at tax burden, medical care, recreation and social centers for retirees and found Cumming to be the second best place to retire in the country. Only Naples, Fl was ranked higher, and Cumming finished just ahead of Beverly Hills.
“This county in particular is very supportive of seniors,” said Ruthie Brew, director of senior services for Forsyth County. “The benefits that are afforded them are really extraordinary.”
Other factors taken into account were the number of doctors’ offices, recreation centers and retirement centers per 1,000 people and percent of the population who were seniors.
Cumming was ranked first for medical care, with 32.4 doctor’s offices per 1,000 people, and fifth for recreation, with almost nine recreation centers and 1.6 retirement centers per 1,000 people.
Brew said the county’s three senior centers–Charles’ Place, Sexton Hall and Hearthstone Lodge–were “wonderful places to gather in the community” for seniors.
She said Hearthstone, which she called “best kept secret in the county,” was particularly important for the health of seniors and included a pool with warmer water and less harsh chemicals for seniors, a fitness room and a “great room” for fitness classes and other activities.
Brew said there was also a group of about 50 “avid hikers” who go on two hiking trips a month. The area did not rank in the top 10 for tax burden, all ten were from the tax-friendly states of Alaska and Delaware, but Brews said taxes, in particular an exemption for school taxes, made it a popular spot.
“Even though your home may be paid for, if you have to come up with $10,000 or $15,000 or $20,000 for real estate taxes, that will be a hardship on you eventually,” Brew said. “This area is unique in that they recognize seniors do need breaks and they no longer have students in the schools.”
She said affordability of housing and weather, particularly warm winters, were also big factors for seniors. This is the third year for SmartAsset and the first time Cumming has made the list. The study can be found near the bottom of the page at https://smartasset.com/retirement /retirement-calculator?year=2017#us/best-places.
To read the story in its entirety, Click Here
