The Worst 10 Places for Seniors in America (Over 10,000 Residents)

With the senior population in the United States continuing to grow, more and more adults are heading into their retirement and looking for the right place to enjoy this phase in their lives. Using the advanced metrics of the SeniorScore™ tool, SeniorAdvice.com has found countless communities across the country that can provide seniors with the health and safety; recreation and leisure; financial setup and overall quality of life that they need to enjoy their retirement in comfort. However, while there are dozens of great communities throughout the country for seniors, there are also many towns and cities that can make life challenging for today's seniors.

Using the SeniorScore™ tool we have ranked the ten worst cities in the US for seniors that have more than 10,000 residents.

1. Kodiak, AK

For many seniors, the idea of spending their retirement in Alaska, doesn't exactly sound appealing, but there is more than cold weather to battle when it comes to the community of Kodiak. The town's SeniorScore™ ranked significantly lower than the national average and the rest of the state, due to low scores particularly with recreation and leisure, as well as health and safety.

There are very few Medicare registered physicians within the city limits, and only one major hospital near the area. There are also no recorded senior living facilities and a very low number of home healthcare providers in the community of Kodiak. The town also has a very high crime rate and a very low average life expectancy.

While senior living facilities can be hard to come by in the area, those that are close are also quite expensive. This is particularly true for nursing homes, which cost, on average around $302,950 per year; a staggering amount for any senior to pay.

Everyday amenities such as gyms, malls and grocery stores are very difficult to find in Kodiak. To put it in perspective there are only six churches and 10 pharmacies nearby. This is perhaps why the town has a very low population of seniors.

2. Shiprock, NM

Seniors who choose to retire in Shiprock, New Mexico may find some difficulty in getting the healthcare that they need thanks to a low number of Medicare registered physicians and no nearby hospitals.

While the warm weather may seem inviting, the senior living services in the area aren’t as welcoming. Prices for all types of care are high, especially for adult daycare, which costs on average more than $35,360 per year for seniors.

Features like this, along with a low life expectancy and a limited number of recreation and leisure opportunities, all make Shiprock one of our worst places for seniors to live. This is perhaps why there is a low percentage, only 19%, of seniors that make up the Shiprock population, as most older adults realize there are much better places to spend their golden years.

3. Wasco, CA

Wasco is the first of many California cities to make our list. California was rated as the number one worst state in the country for retirement finances, so it should come as no surprise that the state has several cities on its list that are bad for senior residents.

There are very few Medicare physicians within the city limits of Wasco, and no hospitals actually in the city. There are also only seven senior living facilities in close proximity and a low number of home healthcare providers.

Care isn’t only sparse in Wasco, it is expensive as well. Seniors looking to go to a nursing home can expect to pay around $100,000 per year for their annual costs.

These prices come from a community where the average individual and the average household makes much less than the national average, yet the cost of living is still very high. Add these expenses with only four area parks, six churches and no malls, grocery stores or gyms and you can see why the city has a population of only 12% seniors.

4. Mendota, CA

Mendota is another California city that has made our list of worst communities for seniors and the issues with this city begin with their health and safety rating. The area has a high violent crime rate, a very low number of Medicare physicians and no hospitals or senior living facilities in the city. They also have a low number of home healthcare providers.

When it comes to affording the senior services that are available, residents of the city can expect relatively high prices even though the cost of living is high in the area, and the average household income is less than half of the national average.

Overall, Mendota also has limited parks and golf courses and only three grocery stores in the city, with no gyms, movie theaters or malls within close range, meaning there isn’t much for active seniors to do in Mendota during their retirement years. Facts such as this are perhaps why the city has a senior population of just 11%.

5. Adelanto, CA

In Adelanto, California, there are a low number of home healthcare providers, senior living facilities and Medicare registered physicians, and these are just a few of the reasons this town made our list. With no hospitals in the area, a very high violent crime rate and limited recreation and leisure opportunities it should come as no surprise that this city has a shockingly low number of seniors who live there, with just 11% of the population being made up of seniors.

When it comes to affording senior living care, adults living in Adelanto can expect high costs. Assisted living costs alone are well over the national average, costing over $45,600 per year.

These numbers come from a city that has a very high cost of living, yet the average individual makes less than half of the national average when it comes to income.

6. Immokalee, FL

While many seniors will flock to Florida when it is time to enjoy their golden years in style, Immokalee is not necessarily the first place seniors should consider. The town has a good number of golf courses, but limited parks, churches and grocery stores. There are also no movie theaters, gyms or malls in the area.

Plus, with just 12% of the population being made up of seniors, finding peers in this community can be a challenge for older adults.

When it comes to affording senior living services, many will find the prices for care in Immokalee quite high, especially when compared to the average income for residents living in the area. Seniors who call this Florida town home can expect high senior living costs across the board and expect that their annual nursing home costs will be over $120,000 per year.

In addition to these costs, seniors living in Immokalee do not have access to a lot of Medicare physicians or any area hospitals, making it a difficult place for many seniors to call home and to get the healthcare that they need.

7. Winslow, AZ

Even though Arizona is known for being one of the most senior-friendly states in the U.S., there are a number of concerns that come with the city of Winslow. With no hospitals in the city, a very low number of home healthcare providers and only one senior living community, there are a number of healthcare concerns for seniors living in Winslow, Arizona.

Daily life can also be challenging in this Arizona city as there are no movie theaters, gyms, grocery stores, malls, churches or pharmacies in Winslow.

High prices for senior care, along with limited leisure and recreation opportunities may perhaps be the reason why Winslow has such a low percentage of seniors who call this Arizona town home.

8. Crescent City, CA

Crescent City is another California town on our list, and one that has a low number of seniors who call the area home. There are no malls or churches near the city and there are just nine grocery stores, two movie theaters and five gyms in the area.

When it comes to senior living options in the area, seniors can expect to pay more than the national average when it comes to their annual costs.

With extremely high senior care costs, only one hospital and two senior living facilities in the area, it is easy to see why there are so few seniors who choose to reside in Crescent City.

9. Avenal, CA

In Avenal, California, seniors may get to enjoy sunny weather year round, but there are a number of other obstacles that can make life in this California town tricky.

However, these numbers come in an area where the overall cost of living is very high, yet the city's median household income and per capita income is shockingly low.

There are also limited opportunities for recreation and leisure in the area with no churches, malls, movie theaters or gyms and only one park and three grocery stores. This may be the reason that the population of Avenal is made up of just 12% seniors. Plus, with no hospitals or senior living facilities in the town and a very low number of home healthcare providers, seniors may want to look elsewhere for their ideal post-retirement city in California.

10. Arvin, CA

Rounding out our list of worst cities for seniors is yet another California city. Arvin has a very low number of Medicare physicians, no hospitals, no home healthcare providers and a very high violent crime rate, making health and safety a concern. There are only a few churches, malls and movie theaters in the area and no parks for seniors to enjoy the sunny California weather in.

However, the real issue for many seniors comes in the living costs. Arvin has extremely low household income and per capita income, yet a very high cost of living. In the community 1 out of every 50 seniors is financially responsible for at least one grandchild, and they can expect to pay a great deal for their senior living care. Nursing home care alone is over $100,000 per year in the town.

A financial landscape like this is likely one of the reasons why just 12% of this city's population is made up of seniors.