Retirement is already here or is in the near future for baby boomers, but many have not decided where to put down roots for those golden years. WalletHub, a personal financial website, looked at the 50 states and the District of Columbia and ranked them on their retirement friendliness or unfriendliness.

WalletHub looked at 24 categories, from the cost of living to health care availability to how many theaters and museums each state has, to find the places seniors might want to avoid. Each item was weighted according to its importance, with affordability receiving the most weight. As it turns out, the East Coast states do not fare well in this ranking. 

Following in ascending order are the 10 states where retirees will find the most challenges to an enjoyable lifestyle:

10. Maryland

Maryland’s affordability ranking, quality of life and health care ranking all are below the median.

 

9.  Alaska

Alaska ranks next to last for its quality of life, including weather, and is below the median for affordability. However, it does have a high rate of employment for those over 64.

 

8.  New York

As might be expected, New York’s affordability ranking is very low (48th) and health care is only average. However, it does have one of the highest life expectancies.

 

7.  West Virginia

The quality of life and health care rankings for West Virginia are near the bottom and it has the lowest number of employed people over the age of 64.

 

6. New Jersey

New Jersey’s affordability and health care rankings came in on the low side and quality of life only ranked 24th out of 51.

 

5. Vermont

Although Vermont has one of the highest populations of people over the age of 64, its affordability ranking came in at 47th and quality of life is below the median.

 

4. Connecticut

Connecticut came in next to last for affordability and also has high taxes.

 

3. Hawaii

The adjusted cost of living for retired persons in Hawaii is the highest in the country and its quality of life puts it in 42nd place.

 

2. District of Columbia

Quality of life in Washington, D.C., came in dead last, and its affordability ranking is far below average.

 

1. Rhode Island


Tiny Rhode Island did not fare well on any front, with an affordability ranking that is at the bottom of the list and a quality of life ranking that put it at number 45.

The full report is available here.