Crime in Retirement Communities: What You Should Know

Every year, a list of the best places to retire is released. They base the ratings off of reported happiness, affordability of housing, and several other factors. Unfortunately, crime rates are not considered in these reports. But a bit of research will show that the crime rates in retirement communities are fairly high. So what can you do to protect yourself and still enjoy your retirement in these places that have so many other benefits? Read on to see some solutions, including a proper home security system.

The statistics

First are the statistics of crime in retirement communities. Below are the top 10 retirement communities and their crime ratings, with a score of 100 being the safest:

City and Crime Rate (100 is Safest)

1. Lancaster, PA – 8
2. Fort Meyers, FL – 11
3. Sarasota, FL – 9
4. Austin, TX – 11
5. Pittsburgh, PA – 10
6. Grand Rapids, MI – 19
7. Nashville, TN – 5
8. San Antonio, TX – 4
9. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX – 9
10. Lakeland, FL – 9

The statistics show that up to 5% of these cities’ residents experience property crimes on a yearly basis.

The Solution

First and foremost, you should take the normal precautions of locking your doors and windows, and keeping valuables out of sight. Besides those actions, the best way to protect yourself and your home is to invest in a comprehensive home security system. Simple additions like a an exterior camera and video doorbell will let criminals know that your home is being monitored. Criminals admit that they’re less likely to commit a robbery if they know there is a home security system present.

In addition, Home security offers many more solutions to make your life convenient. If you’re worried about your health or taking a spill when there’s no one around, you can add a health monitor to your security system that will send an ambulance right to your home if it’s triggered. You can even set up smart lightbulbs and programmable thermostats to get the most out of your security system.

If you’re looking to move to one of the top retirement communities this year, make sure you take the steps needed to secure your home and belongings. A comprehensive home security system will make sure you’re one step closer to having peace of mind, anywhere you live.