With changing seasons, plenty of outdoor activities, and proximity to the largest cities in the Northeast, Connecticut appeals to many. The residents of this state aren’t the only ones who recognize the benefits of living here – Connecticut was recently named as a top state in two surveys by MoneyRates.com.
As one of the 10 Best States to Raise a Family 2021 and Best States to Retire 2021, Connecticut has appealing qualities for all ages. Keep reading to learn more!
Best States to Raise a Family 2021
Families across the country reassessed their living situation last year as the pandemic hit. Many people moved away from cities and into suburban areas, but parents want to know there is more than a big backyard when considering where to raise children.
Here are the nine factors that MoneyRates.com took into consideration when determining the top states to raise a family:
- Academic performance
- Availability of youth/student checking accounts
- Overall affordability
- College affordability
- Crime safety
- Access to daycare
- Child health
- Kid-friendly neighborhood amenities
- Broadband availability
Overall, Connecticut ranked as the Number 4 state to raise a family.
While Connecticut is not the most affordable state on the list (ranked 43 overall and 45 for college affordability), it does fall in the top ten for academic performance (9), access to youth checking accounts (10), safety (3), and daycare availability (5).
In the remaining areas, Connecticut was ranked in the top 20 for child health (15), neighborhood amenities (14), and broadband connectivity (12).
Best States to Retire 2021
Connecticut isn’t just an excellent place for raising children; it is also a top state for retirement. For this study, MoneyRates.com focused on four major categories:
- Economic factors, including the cost of living, property tax burdens, and unemployment rates.
- Crime and safety factors, including violent and property crime rates.
- Lifestyle factors, including the proportion of older residents and average temperatures.
- Healthcare conditions, including nursing facility capacity, cost of health care, and life expectancy.
For the best states to retire, Connecticut ranked Number 7 overall.
Once again, affordability is Connecticut’s biggest hurdle, ranking 45 for economy. However, this state offers plenty to aging residents, coming in top spots for crime/safety (4), lifestyle (19), and healthcare (3).
What do you love about living in Connecticut? Let us know in the comments!