Excellent health care contributes to South Dakota’s top place finish as retirement state

It takes a lot to lessen the sting of a South Dakota winter, but apparently biting winds and harsh temps didn’t impact South Dakota’s ranking as the number one place to retire. According to a recent report released by Bankrate, South Dakota is the best place to retire, taking into consideration cost of living, taxes, health care quality, weather, crime, cultural vitality and well-being.

Residents of South Dakota scored the highest on the well-being score and have been in the top six since 2013. Well-being is based on how people feel about purpose (a reason to get up in the morning), social (loving and meaningful relationships), financial (lack of money stress), community (love where you live) and physical (good health). Great health care facilities and value also brought South Dakota to the top of the list.

The next highest states on the list include: Utah, Idaho, New Hampshire and Florida.