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When thinking about where to retire, most people consider comparable factors: the tax rates of the state in question, the accessibility of quality healthcare, the opportunities for outside recreation and, of course, the safety and the benefits of the city or town itself. A college town or city might not be the first location that most retirees would think about. Sometimes college towns are full of loud students, and in some cases, offer very little to draw anyone who isn’t in college. However, college towns and cities also have many potential benefits — easy access to college courses, fun activities, and more. Sometimes, college towns can offer retirees the perfect blend of a small town (or a big city), with vibrant surroundings and opportunities for learning and experiencing new things. You will have to decide if a college town is your dream retirement location, or if you prefer to choose a more traditional long-term residence.
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College towns and cities come in all different sizes, and so they offer varying opportunities. One of the biggest positives of living in a college town is that you will be surrounded by fun and exciting students, many of whom will be energetic and motivated, and still idealistic enough to want to change the world. This kind of environment can be very motivational.
Another positive of living in a college town is the fact that colleges often host free concerts, festivals, or even workshops. Popular speakers come to college campuses, and sometimes, politicians as well. If you like the arts scene, you will certainly benefit from living near a college, and you also may meet people that you would never have the chance to meet otherwise, like politicians, singers, dancers, and even actors who come to connect with the students. The possibilities for interacting with interesting people, including the students themselves, are endless.
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Another great positive of living in a college town is the fact that you will have so many educational opportunities nearby. Even if you have your bachelor’s degree already (or even an advanced degree), you will certainly find classes that interest you, and they may only be a walk or a few minutes drive away. Many college towns offer free or reduced classes for retirees.
College towns also often attract businesses and restaurants, which might not be available in towns of comparable size (without a college campus.) Restaurants want to attract students, so if you are interested in living in a small town but you want to have many choices for good food or even for places to shop, a college town might be the perfect place for you. If you choose a college in a big city, you will have even more options.