Independent Living in Idaho

Idaho is a state located in the northwestern part of the United States, and it is the 7th least densely populated of all states. The state shares its borders with British Columbia, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. It is a vast mountainous state that attracts many active golden agers to its cities and towns for retirement. The name Gem State was given to Idaho as almost every type of identified gemstone has been found there, and it is full of rivers, lakes, mountains and parks, as well as big cities and good medical care that make it an ideal retirement state.

A Look at Idaho

Because Idaho is such a vast state, real estate costs and costs of living vary greatly. For example, houses and the cost of living in Boise city are dramatically higher than that of those found in Couer d'Alene. So your living cost will vary depending on the area in which you choose to retire. However, in general the cost of living in Idaho is about 5% lower than the national average, although sometimes income taxes can soar up to almost 8 percent.

Medical Facilities in Idaho

Idaho has over 50 hospitals and medical centers throughout the state, and many of these are regionally ranked. Some of the best medical facilities found in Idaho include the Kootenai Medical Center, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Portneuf Medical center and the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. This plethora of medical options means that retirees have a strong medical sector to rely on, and a range of hospitals to choose from should something go wrong with themselves or a loved one.

Senior Living in Idaho

There is a wide range of senior living communities throughout Idaho, and they all vary according to the area in which they are located in. For example in Sun Valley, most communities are extraordinarily pricey and cater mainly to the wealthiest of retirees, while places like Idaho Falls, are more suited to fully active, outdoorsy retirees, and the cost of living here is 7.9% below the national average. While there are many different areas to choose from in Idaho, most of the senior living communities will cater for a variety of different needs and levels of care depending on the individual. More active, fully fit retirees can take advantage of the natural delights of Idaho by living in an independent retirement community. Meanwhile, if a higher level of care is needed, there are a number of assisted living facilities throughout Idaho.

Idaho is made up of steppe terrain, and thus this mountainous region is ideally suited to more active members of the golden ager generation. Dotted with rivers, mountains and lakes, Idaho offers an abundance of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing and golfing. Home to the famous Yellowstone National park, the state also has 6 national wildlife refuges, and 2 national recreation areas that retirees can get out into during their spare time. This wide array of outdoorsy options doesn't mean that Idaho is only good for nature lovers; in fact it is full of rich history and steeped in culture. Of particular significance are The Craters of The Moon National Monument, the Museum of Idaho and the Willard Performing Arts Center. The cultural riches to be found in Idaho do not pale in comparison to the amount of outdoor activities, and the fact that there is such a wide range of choice in both areas, makes it a perfect place to retire.

Idaho is one of the least populated states in the US, and this makes it a popular choice for retirees looking for some peace and quiet; however it also has huge cities, a strong economy, cultural festivals and events, historic monuments, national parks and many hundreds of different things to keep golden agers busy in their retirement years.