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When it’s time to decide where to spend your golden years of retirement, it can get a bit overwhelming for you to choose where to live, right?
If moving somewhere with southern hospitality and quiet living sounds like your ultimate retirement dream, Oklahoma goes under your retirement radar with numerous perks.
Widely known as “The Sooner State,” Oklahoma has a unique balance of small-town charm and a diverse experience to retire with a low cost of living and tax advantages for seniors, paired with a temperate climate.
What makes “The Sooner State” great for moving sooner?
Oklahoma, in the south-central region of the USA, has over 14% of the population over the age of 65, making it one of the top states with a growing retirement population.
Let’s explore how Oklahoma attracts many seniors to move every year:
1. Affordable cost of living
Oklahoma ranks second lowest on the cost of living in the US, which can be a big pro for retirees on a fixed income. Factors like retirement-friendly taxation and lower property and transportation costs than the national average make it appealing for seniors wanting to create the most of their retirement income and lead a worry-free lifestyle.
2. Warm Southern hospitality
While moving for retirement, finding a friendly and hospitable location can be intimidating. Not so much in Oklahoma! Oklahoma is known for fostering a strong sense of community spirit and a lively social scene to enjoy and socialize throughout your retirement years.
3. Rich cultural scene
Oklahoma has a diverse cultural scene with 38 tribal nations and numerous museums, theaters, and festivals throughout the year. With a rich Native American history and culture, the state hosts celebrations like the Oklahoma State Fair, the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, and the Tulsa International Mayfest.
4. Natural beauty and outdoor recreation
Oklahoma is home to scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities with stunning national parks (Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve), hiking trails, birdwatching, or even fishing and boating in one of its many lakes. With a mild climate, four crisply defined seasons, and diverse geography, outdoor enthusiasts can stay active and connected with nature.
5. Military and economy
Oklahoma has a strong network of military bases paired with a thriving economy at all levels. Meaning seniors and retired veterans will feel very much at home with plenty of scope to still earn in their retirement years and actively participate and enjoy social and veteran-focused programs.
Top 10 retirement communities in Oklahoma
Retiring in Sooner Land can open a lot of exciting doors for you to explore – and sooner than you can think! Each retirement community in Oklahoma offers its own unique features paired with an array of amenities and perks to cater to older adults with different lifestyles and preferences.
7 Best Retirement Communities in Oklahoma
We have compiled some of the best-reviewed and well-structured retirement communities (with living options and services they provide) that you can find in the cities of Oklahoma state:
1. Victorian Estates Assisted Living – Yukon
Victorian Estates Assisted Living is a secure and close-knit community for independent seniors seeking additional support to enhance their sense of well-being. They provide a variety of price ranges and room styles available to cater to everyone’s needs.
2. Tealridge Retirement Community Assisted Living – Edmond
With independent living, assisted living, and memory care as the living options, Tealridge Retirement Community put together a diverse program of activities and events and a multi-dimensional model of wellness designed to cater to individual interests, backgrounds, and hobbies.
3. The Grove at Midtown Assisted Living – Tulsa
The Grove at Midtown in Tulsa covers both Assisted Living and Memory Care so that one can age in place in a relaxing and vibrant community with a vast number of amenities and life-enhancing services to enjoy.
4. Brookdale Stillwater Assisted Living – Stillwater
Brookdale Stillwater provides just the right amount of personal assistance, health and wellness, and lifestyle services and gives you a home-like environment with amenities like pet-friendly transportation and parking spaces.
5. Arbor House of Norman Assisted Living – Norman
Arbor House of Norman offers the highest quality in independent living, assisted living, and senior memory care with social activities & events and housing options that have modern designs and up-to-date features.
6. Cedar Ridge Senior Living Assisted Living – Broken Arrow
Cedar Ridge Senior Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care to allow our residents to age in place and enjoy amenities like religious services, physical fitness, musical activities, off-campus excursions, and an onsite beauty parlor.
7. Southern Plaza Assisted Living And Memory Care Assisted Living – Bethany
Southern Plaza Retirement Community aims to provide the highest quality of life through living options like independent living, assisted living, memory care, and wellness services that promote independence, a healthy lifestyle, and a sense of security.
3 Retirement communities in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities to retire in the state, offering comprehensive options for cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and theaters.
1. Vitality Living Village
Vitality Living offers senior living in Oklahoma, providing assisted living and memory care with culinary experiences, engagements, and health and well-being services that allow adults to experience a vibrant lifestyle.
2. Baptist Village Of Oklahoma City
Baptist Village is a CCRC in Oklahoma City offering independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and a health center for long-term care nursing services with an array of amenities like life-enriching activities & social events, scheduled trips & transportation.
3. Epworth Villa
Epworth Villa is a senior living community that provides senior apartments and cottages with modern designs and up-to-date features with outstanding and varied culinary options, great entertainment on and off campus, and much more.
Cost of 55 plus communities in Oklahoma City
Multiple factors influence the cost of senior living and retirement communities in Oklahoma. Those include your preferred location, the type and level of care you need, and your unique financial plans.
Even though Oklahoma’s average cost of senior living is lower than the national average, these costs vary across the cities.
- Assisted living: $4,212/month
- Home care: $5,513/month
- Nursing home (semi-private room): $5,983/month
- Nursing home (private room): $6,647/month
- Memory care: $6,050/month
- Independent living: $2,906/month
Look at the following articles for insightful financial facts that can help you to have a stress-free retirement!
- Hatching your retirement nest egg
- How do you convert 401k to a self-directed IRA?
- Roth IRA Vs. savings account: Which is better?
Final thoughts
It is safe to say that Oklahoma has a wealth of features for being the perfect retirement state with low taxes, natural beauty, great culture, vibrant communities, and amazing affordability. However, the lack of overall development might be a key consideration.
So, it is necessary that you weigh up all the significant factors associated with retiring in Oklahoma and embrace the Sooner State as soon as you have your retirement expectations met!
You can also explore the nearby states of Oklahoma as well.
FAQs
Is Oklahoma a good state for retirees?
Oklahoma has a lower cost of living than many other states in the US, with lower housing, healthcare, and transportation costs and great weather, making it a great place to live for retirees on a fixed income.
What is the average cost of independent living in Oklahoma?
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Report, Oklahoma’s average cost of independent living is $24,672 per year, which is lower than the national average. Still, the cost can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle, preferred location, healthcare needs, and financial plans.
What’s the best place to retire in Oklahoma?
If Oklahoma is your desired retirement state, here are some of the best places to retire:
- Tulsa
- Oklahoma City
- Edmond
- Stillwater
- Yukon
Is Oklahoma a tax-free state?
While Oklahoma seniors pay property taxes, when you are 65+, you can freeze the taxable value of the new home, which protects you from runaway tax assessments. Income from Social Security is also not taxed, meaning an income tax exemption of up to $10,000 per annum than other states. However, other retirement incomes like pensions and withdrawals from 401(k) or IRA are taxed.
