Philadelphia: A Great Large City for Retiring in Good Health
The "City of Brotherly Love" appeals to a variety of people -- from art enthusiasts to fitness buffs.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Au8qHyMjcpsmriDU9sicH7-415-80.jpg)
Population: 1,567,442
Cost of living: 119.5 (national median: 100)
Median home price: $180,000 (national median: $185,000)
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Healthy highlight: Philadelphia's annual Broad Street Run is the largest 10-mile race in the country. This year, more than 40,000 runners took to the course in the pouring rain.
For retirees eager to keep their mind and body in motion, Philadelphia offers no shortage of activities. The culturally inclined can take in the art at the city's world-class museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. Or they can attend concerts and lectures at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, whose fall lineup includes the touring cast of An American in Paris and chef and author Anthony Bourdain.
12 Great Places to Retire for Your Good Health
- Naples, Fla.
- Lynchburg, Va.
- Billings, Mont.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Omaha, Neb.
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Seattle
- Austin, Tex.
- Philadelphia
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Augusta, Ga.
Health-conscious retirees might spend their mornings shopping for fresh produce, meats and cheeses (and maybe the occasional cannoli) at the Ninth Street Italian Market or going for a bike ride among the gaggles of runners, walkers and strollers on scenic Kelly Drive. What's more, Philly is home to several excellent university health systems, including those at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Each of Philadelphia's neighborhoods has its own flavor, says Heather Petrone-Shook, a real estate agent at Long and Foster and a member of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors. If you don't want all the hustle and bustle of city life, she says, Manayunk, just 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia via Septa Regional Rail (people age 65 and up ride free), offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm. The neighborhood scores major walkability points thanks to its bustling mile-long Main Street corridor. Main Street boasts seemingly one or two of everything, from bars and restaurants to high-end clothing boutiques to quirky record stores and antiques shops. Just steps from Main Street, active residents can visit the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, with basketball courts and a 250-seat theater, or walk along the Manayunk Canal Towpath—a two-mile boardwalk that connects with more than 60 miles of trail along the Schuylkill River.
Formerly known as a haven for Philly college students, Manayunk's housing prices, location and improving amenities have recently brought empty nesters to the neighborhood in droves, says Jane Lipton, executive director of the Manayunk Development Corp. Renovated townhomes built from 1900 to 1920 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms sell for about $220,000 to $350,000. New homes, most of them 2,000 square feet or more with garages, start at about $550,000, she says.
Pennsylvania is tax-friendly for retirees. The Keystone State doesn't tax retirement income for residents age 59½ or older, income from individual or workplace retirement accounts, or Social Security benefits.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Ryan joined Kiplinger in the fall of 2013. He wrote and fact-checked stories that appeared in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and on Kiplinger.com. He previously interned for the CBS Evening News investigative team and worked as a copy editor and features columnist at the GW Hatchet. He holds a BA in English and creative writing from George Washington University.
-
5 Stocks to Buy for a Trump Presidency
The race for the White House is heating up and these five stocks are set to benefit if Donald Trump claims victory.
By Will Ashworth Published
-
6 Target-Date Funds to Buy For Your Retirement
These six target-date funds are good set-it-and-forget-it options that are a staple of retirement plans.
By Nellie S. Huang Published
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Last updated
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024: Good News for Teachers
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2024 and workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,000 or $19,500 if 50 or over.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated