This could be a very important stage in which might bode VERY well for the midwest and Ohio in particular.  What does everyone think about this trend and/or migration pattern.

 

Making the Return Trip: Elderly Head Back North

SAM ROBERTS | New York Times

February 26, 2007

 

For the first time since the Depression, more Americans ages 75 and older have been leaving the South than moving there, according to a New York Times analysis of Census Bureau data.

 

The reversal appears to be driven in part by older people who retired to the South in their 60s, but decided to return home to their children and grandchildren in the Northeast, Midwest and West after losing spouses or becoming less mobile.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/us/26seniors.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print

Love this! 

 

I know exactly how I want to die,” he said. “I want to go over to the Eastland Inn, have a shot of whiskey and a beer, and then they can take me to the funeral home

 

I know that there is a lot of out migration for the NE as well and places like Cleveland are prime, as you get a big city feel, (currently) without the big city cost.  Most of the Time Warner people I know that relocated are still in "reverse sticker shock" mode.

 

I know Phoenix is another destination for Ohio-based retirees, and that people usually cite "health reasons" for moving there. However, when I visited for a week last year, my allergies which are usually more of a nuisance than anything were awful because of the smog and dust. I'm sure people with arthritis fare better with the warm weather, but god forbid they have any kind of respiratory issues. It's like the article says - putting that much distance between you and the family you depend on can be such a strain.

 

"“I know exactly how I want to die,” he said. “I want to go over to the Eastland Inn, have a shot of whiskey and a beer, and then they can take me to the funeral home.”"

 

Atta boy! :drunk:

I know that there is a lot of out migration for the NE as well and places like Cleveland are prime, as you get a big city feel, (currently) without the big city cost.  Most of the Time Warner people I know that relocated are still in "reverse sticker shock" mode.

 

As well as the other 10 or so large metro areas in the midwest.  This could be an opportunity for the midwest to seize some growth as the south has done recently.  Sure this article talks about those 75 and up, but there are also trends out there that show an overall reverse migration pattern from very southern states to more northern, southern states (Florida to Georgia/Tennessee).  This would then offer an opportunity for the midwest to try to attract these people on the move to come here instead of those other southern areas.

I don't see how this will be a positive for our economy.  As the article points out, their assets/needs ratio has tanked compared to the relatively young, active, and affluent recent retirees that are moving south.  In fact, it seems as if that is precisely why they are returning.  Not that we could or should turn them away, but all I see is a strain on our already strained social services.  And score one more for Florida- they come down with money and time for recreation, then return to Ohio when they are broke and need help.  There's little for us to gain by being a "hospice" state.

^Except for the jobs to be created with the construction, management an day to day operations with hospice facilities.

and the estate tax!  Chaa Ching!

I'm not really buying this as a trend.  Old people are always going to flock to warmer areas for retirement.  Think about it...year round golf, access to the beach, warm weather is easier on joints, swimming and walking are the two preferred modes of exercise, loads more people their age for activites, etc...

 

I see it as an exception to the rule, rather than "the rule".

Cities like Middletown and Hamilton, etc, etc are aging fast, they can't built the no maintenance homogeneous landominiums fast enough. They need some young families, not more seniors citizens.

 

If a state has too many seniors, legislation is always going to be in their favor. Their voting attendance is much better than younger generations and politicians respond to that. There have been and are proposals right now to freeze senior's property taxes once they get to a certain age. That would mean that any new levies or increases would have their entire burden placed on young, working families, which would only be another reason for young families to flee.

^Except for the jobs to be created with the construction, management an day to day operations with hospice facilities.

& mortuaries/funeral homes

The article alludes to but doesn’t mention the other factor, economics.

 

People of all ages are leaving Florida in record numbers. 2006 estimates are 400 people per day. This is off set by the estimated 1000 people that move here per day. The net of 600 is half the average from the mid 1980’s through the late 1990’s.

 

After 4 hurricanes in 2004 and 6 in 2005, a lot of people have just had enough. High property taxes, skyrocketing home insurance, along with the bust of the housing bubble, has made South Florida unaffordable for many retirees and full time residents alike.

 

The exodus out of Florida so far seems to be benefiting other Southern states. The Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee have benefited the most, with the majority of retirees returning to their roots in the northeast and the midwest.

 

I'm not really buying this as a trend.  Old people are always going to flock to warmer areas for retirement.  Think about it...year round golf, access to the beach, warm weather is easier on joints, swimming and walking are the two preferred modes of exercise, loads more people their age for activites, etc...

 

I see it as an exception to the rule, rather than "the rule".

 

It's important to make the distinction that this trend is referring to the 75-and over population... these are people that are very old, have been retired for many years and are often in poor health

 

No freshly retired person moves to Ohio from the South.  We will always see a negative migration rate for that demographic.  This trend is basically a boomerang phenomenon.  Ohioan retires in his/her early/mid 60s.. moves to Clearwater... gets bored and realizes he/she never actually goes to the beach... turns 80... gets sick... misses family... moves back to Barberton.

"Ohio... Come Here to Die"

and the estate tax!  Chaa Ching!

 

^Except for the jobs to be created with the construction, management an day to day operations with hospice facilities.

& mortuaries/funeral homes

 

I would like to nominate these statements for the "Silver Lining of the Year" award.  :laugh:

Ohio ... It's Cold, But You'll Have Caregivers.

Ohioans who fled to Florida come home Once health declines in later years, retirees want to be near family

 

 

 

Study notes snowbird trends

Many moving to Ohio are ailing

ASSOCIATED PRESS | March 5, 2007

 

PHOTO: Elaine Garron, 87, right, laughs during a Jewish humor program at Stone Garden Assisted Living at Menorah Park in Beachwood. Garran recently moved to Beechwood to be closer to her family.

ROADELL HICKMAN/Plain Dealer

 

Snowbirds who move back to Ohio are older and twice as likely to be disabled as those retiring to the South, which some county officials say strains budgets for senior medical, meal and transportation programs.

 

About 25,000 Ohioans aged 60 and older moved to Florida, while 9,100 moved to Ohio from Florida in 1995-2000, the most recent years for which detailed data are available from the Internal Revenue Service. The tax-return data is often used to track U.S. population migrations.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070305/NEWS01/703050384

I agree that this 'boomerang' effect that is going on is a bad trend for the midwest and northeast.  People retire...spend all of their money in Florida, then once they are in financial and medical need they move back to where they came from.  It sounds like they are having their cake and eating it too...so to speak.

 

I don't know how you address this situation, but it sure does need to be looked at.

Maybe there's a way the state could get people to maybe buy a Winter house in the south and keep the Summer home in Ohio. We'd still get tax money and would still have those snow birds partially living here in their more productive senior years.