Moving to a new town is an exciting adventure. But there’s more to relocating than just settling down in one of the most popular residential areas. Most people consider their personal situation and their wish list of wants and needs. Cleanliness, pet-friendliness (who wouldn’t spoil their pooch by moving to a place with a dog-friendly beach?), affordable prices, and even perks like great food and entertainment also factor into the decision.
But for people with disabilities, the checklist is much longer and includes additional considerations that directly affect independence, quality of life, and overall health. Old and historic cities (albeit beautiful) can be access nightmares for people with mobility challenges. Weather can have a big impact on people who are sensitive to heat and cold, and air quality and altitude can have a big impact on those with underlying respiratory conditions. Access to health care is another key factor, along with the availability of basic disability benefits that provide income security and funding for durable medical equipment, prescription drugs, and home health aides.
Putting all this together, it can be hard to pinpoint the best places to live for people with disabilities. Thankfully, WalletHub has compiled a list of the best and worst U.S. cities for people with disabilities across three main dimensions: economy, quality of life, and healthcare. For people with disabilities considering their next big move, this list may serve as some homework. Read on to find out which cities came out on top.
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How did the study determine its top cities?
WalletHub analyzed 182 cities, including the largest U.S. cities and at least two cities from each state. To determine the best cities for people with disabilities, the study evaluated data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ultimately, three main aspects were considered:
Economics: We looked at housing affordability, cost of living, employment rates and average income for people with disabilities, cost of in-home services, wait times for public housing, and availability of disability insurance. Quality of Life: We looked at how easy it is for people with disabilities to live and thrive in the city. This includes the number of wheelchair accessible places like restaurants and parks. We also looked at the effectiveness of the state’s Medicaid program, the walkability of the city, and the number of accessible homes for sale. Health Care: We considered the cost of a doctor’s visit, average health insurance premiums, the number of doctors and providers in the city, the number of hospitals, and the quality of the public hospital system.
The three categories were weighted equally at 33.33% each, giving each city an overall ranking out of 100 points.
So what are the best American cities for people with disabilities?
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According to a WalletHub survey, Scottsdale, Arizona, took the top spot. This Southwestern city is widely known as an attractive place to live thanks to its thriving cultural scene, stunning natural scenery, robust economy, and comfortable desert climate. Yes, we’re talking about the weather! As anyone who’s ever visited Arizona knows, the high temperatures year-round, combined with low humidity, make it surprisingly comfortable for those looking to escape the chilly winters. The city also offers a wide range of housing options, from mansions to suburban and urban settings.
But what makes Scottsdale such a special place for people with disabilities? To understand, WalletHub took a closer look at the economy, quality of life and healthcare factors.
economy
The city of Scottsdale stands out for its strong economic performance, ranking an impressive 13th out of all cities in this category. While there are plenty of places with a lower cost of living (such as Brownsville, Texas; Huntington, West Virginia; and Jackson, Mississippi), the category also includes important aspects such as employment rates, average income for people with disabilities, funding available to assist with in-home services (such as health aids), and waiting lists for public housing.
Scottsdale isn’t the cheapest city to live in, but the city has done a lot to reduce the cost of living for people with disabilities, and that’s evident in their public transportation programs. The city offers a free wheelchair-accessible trolley that runs throughout downtown, as well as several paratransit options. Additionally, seniors and people with disabilities can receive vouchers to make Uber, Lyft, and taxi rides more affordable. (All of these are worth considering if you’re looking for a great place to retire.)
For those concerned about overall housing costs as a person with a disability, Scottsdale may be a top contender, but cities like Virginia Beach, Virginia; Plano, Texas; Columbia, Maryland; and Overland Park, Kansas also rank highly in this area.
Quality of life
In the quality of life category, WalletHub looked at what factors in the city provide people with disabilities with rich social and recreational opportunities. Scottsdale’s Downtown area (also known as Old Town Scottsdale) is especially well-suited for people with disabilities because it packs all the essential amenities into a compact, easy-to-navigate one-square-mile area. It’s home to first-class hotels, restaurants, shops, art galleries and attractions, many of which are wheelchair accessible.
Additionally, Scottsdale is committed to inclusivity and provides comprehensive adaptive services to meet the needs of people with disabilities. This commitment makes it easier for residents to receive support in participating in a variety of programs, including parks and recreation, human services, leisure education and community service programs. Additionally, the City is providing Chaparral Park with an improved, fully accessible playground with amenities for children and parents of all levels to enjoy.
health care
Moving to Scottsdale, Arizona to access better medical care can be an attractive option thanks to the city’s strong and diverse medical ecosystem. World-renowned medical institution Mayo Clinic has a major presence in Scottsdale and is highly regarded for excellence in patient care, research, and medical innovation. Access to cutting-edge treatments and top medical professionals makes it a popular destination for those in need of specialized medical care. Additionally, the area’s prominent medical network, HonorHealth, focuses on patient-centered care and offers a wide range of medical services from primary care to specialty care.
Overall, Scottsdale received very high marks in the healthcare category, ranking 7th out of 182 cities, outperforming many major U.S. cities widely known for excellent healthcare, including Boston, Philadelphia, Denver and Chicago.
What other cities made it into the top 10?
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If Scottsdale isn’t your dream location, don’t worry. There are plenty of other great places to relocate to in the United States for people with disabilities. Here are the top 10 cities:
Scottsdale, AZ; Denver; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Virginia Beach, VA; Pittsburgh; Columbia, MD; Chandler, AZ; Huntington Beach, CA; Overland Park, KS
Each of these cities has its own benefits and is worth considering for people with disabilities looking for a new place to live. Take Denver, for example. If you’re looking to settle somewhere outside of the Southwest, you might like this northern city. Denver shares Scottsdale’s dry, arid climate, but generally has a higher cost of living (Economy score of 66 vs. 13). Minneapolis has a very high Economy score of 156, and while it doesn’t have a high cost of living, it makes up for it with an incredibly high quality of life and healthcare score.
Overall, the choice of where to move is very personal, but with any luck, this list will help you narrow down your options and pick the place that’s right for you. And if you’re flying to your new home, make sure you book a flight with an airline that’s best for passengers with disabilities.
source:
WalletHub: “Best and Least Cities for People with Disabilities (2023)” City of Scottsdale: “Disability Support Services” LivAbility: “Renovated Accessible Playground Opens in Scottsdale”
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