When you or someone important to you starts to seriously think about their retirement, there are a few things that jump out as important from the start!
- What hobbies or activities can you do to stay active?
- Is there a local community that you can engage with and get support from?
- Is your location too remote should anyone want (or need) to visit?
These are some of the important questions, outside the initial obvious concerns regarding cost of living, that you should consider..
Fortunately for Washingtonians, the town that was rated the best place to retire in Maryland and that was once crowned the “World’s Kindest City”, is only a cozy 2.5-hour drive from the District!
This dream retirement destination is none other than Salisbury, Maryland.
Why is Salisbury the best retirement town in Maryland?
Salisbury, for those who are unfamiliar, is a small coastal city that has the feel of a large town, making it big enough for daily variety to keep your life exciting, but small enough for comfort and familiarity.
Additionally, the city collectively has hundreds of acres of green spaces throughout its local parks and the Salisbury University Arboretum, which provides walking and bike paths while also being a notable area for bird-watching.
Aside from the local parks for walking and biking, there are so many senior-friendly activities that make Salisbury a desirable destination for retirees:
- Water activities, like kayaking, canoeing, or fishing, along the Wicomico River.
- Head to the Salisbury Zoo for a charming experience of seeing animals from around the world.
- Salisbury University Campus hosts guest speakers, performances, and other events that may be of interest.
- Local golf courses that provide senior discounts.
There is also a strong senior-friendly infrastructure around Salisbury:
- MAC (Maintaining Active Citizens) runs a local senior center that offers exercise courses, fresh hot meals, bingo, arts & crafts sessions, and more!
- The local Wicomico County Commission on Aging provides a lot of advocacy, in-home support, housing referrals, and more to local seniors.
- There are several assisted living facilities for those who require or simply prefer 24/7 support.
How was Salisbury crowned the kindest city in the world?
Salisbury, Maryland, was crowned the world’s kindest city in 2019 by the World Kindness Movement, an international organization driven by the goal to highlight and spread kindness around the globe.
The title was given to Salisbury in particular for its dedication to fostering inclusiveness among its community, which was considered exemplary at the time.