Wednesday, June 6, 2001

Study says Fayette's a great place to retire

Fayette County is among the state's best retirement places, according to an ongoing study focused on Georgia's quality of life for persons age 50 and over.

As one of the state's more desirable retirement destinations, this area holds down a single spot on the top-40 list. Fayette County scored quite well overall in some key areas of retiree concern, such as health care and medical facilities, public safety, climate and outdoor activities, cost of living, and where to take the grandkids when they come to stay.

Fayette will soon join Georgia's 39 other "best retirement places" at RetirementLivingGeorgia.com.

"What we're doing is simply pointing retirees in the direction of the folks at grassroots organizations, who will gladly provide current firsthand information about their communities," says Michael Burke, associate publisher of the Retirement Living Georgia series and community research director for the statewide survey by RLG Group/Atlanta. "This Web site picks up right where the series left off a few years ago. And with a much better support system, it will not be too long before the site is reaching out in a number of ways, to help retiree families on the move."

A roster of preferred destinations grew naturally out of the market study and a list of "best places" will appear online at RetirementLivingGeorgia.com later this month. Selection of Georgia's best retirement places was based primarily on county-level assessments of what each community offers active retirees in both the essential everyday needs and lifestyle amenities. Counties were profiled against standards similar to those used by Money magazine, Retirement Places Rated and other national surveys.

Georgia communities were not vying against one another and no ratings will be handed out. The Georgia study is funded privately and independently conducted by a team whose average age is "right around 60," according to Burke.

His group believes the state's broad diversity of lifestyle options is well represented at the new retiree Web site. Users will be able to connect with the state's top 40 to learn more about communities individually, through free travel and newcomer information that's provided by local chambers, visitor bureaus, Main Street programs and other local downtown development organizations.

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