Forbes’ 2009 Best Places To Grow Old Names Montgomery County, PA One of the Top Places to Retire

Blue Bell, PA - The eagerly awaited Forbes 2009 listing of the top 10 Best Places to Grow Old has named Montgomery County, PA as first on its list of places that offer just what seniors and retirees are looking for now: the excitement that comes with convenient proximity to a major metropolis, the security of living in a place with a solid economic base and significant health and social resources for individuals of all ages, and the educational and cultural opportunities that exist so close to home when prestigious institutions such as Bryn Mawr and Haverford College are so close by.

While the Top Ten listing for Montgomery County may be big news to the rest of the world, it comes as no surprise to the people at Blue Bell Place, an assisted living community that has served seniors in Montgomery County for 8 years.

Kathy Wise, executive director of Blue Bell Place comments: “New residents from outside our area are often quite surprised just how welcoming Montgomery County is. There’s always something intriguing and fun to do around here. With all this richness around us, we certainly don’t have to struggle to find topics for our Watermark University courses or community outings.”

Although Montgomery County is home to the largest mall on the East Coast, most of the county is idyllic and historically rich, attracting bird watchers, hikers who use a network of multi-use trails that wind through the scenic countryside, and history enthusiasts who enjoy several local heritage sites and regular Revolutionary and Civil War reenactment events. Shopping and dining opportunities are as richly varied and bountiful as one would expect.

To pinpoint those U.S. counties deemed to be the best places to grow old, Forbes took several data points. First, the percentage of those aged 65 and over in counties with a total population of 500,000. The slightly higher percentage of seniors in these counties means that retirees can enjoy the company and interests of their peers. Second, Forbes took into account the general economic health of the county, using unemployment rates, median monthly housing costs and median income of those 65 and over. Finally, Forbes determined the number of hospitals, clinics and elder care facilities per 10,000 people in each county. (See details below.)

Data from Forbes
Montgomery County
Total Population: 778,048
Percent of Population 65 and Over: 14.9%
Median Income of Those 65 and Over: $41,323
Median Housing Costs Per Month: $1,539
Average 2008 Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Number of Hospitals, Clinics and Elder Care Facilities Per 10,000 People: 2

About Blue Bell Place.
Blue Bell Place is an assisted living and memory care community, located at 777 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Blue Bell Place is professionally managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company committed to creating communities full of spirit, character, integrity, compassion and adventure – where everyone is encouraged to express their true self. Watermark has provided successful, progressive and engaging senior housing across the country for more than 20 years. Watermark communities are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Arizona. For more information, please visit www.watermarkcommunities.com.

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Contact Information

Kathy Wise

Executive Director

Blue Bell Place

Contact via E-mail