Magazine profiles Vero Beach as a top retirement town

Magazine profiles Vero Beach as a top retirement town

By Paul Ivice
Originally published 07:29 p.m., October 7, 2009
Updated 08:57 p.m., October 7, 2009

VERO BEACH - The city could see a boost in interest from retirees because of a magazine article published this month.

Where to Retire magazine, a magazine geared to helping people make retirement relocation decisions, profiled Vero Beach as a top retirement town in its November/December issue, which was mailed to subscribers nationwide Oct. 1. Penny Chandler, president of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce since 1995, said, "This kind of article is not unusual for us. We'll see an increased number of calls through our switchboard."

An article like this can help sell houses in the area and also stimulate tourism, Chandler said. The article also will bring attention to the fact people decided to come here not only as retirees, but to start businesses or otherwise become active in the community.

In the same issue, the magazine also profiled Colorado Springs, Colo.; Dahlonega, Ga.; and Sandpoint, Idaho. One Florida community is profiled in every issue. Other Florida communities profiled in issues earlier this year were Dade City, Naples, Coral Springs and Lakeland.

Decisions on which cities to profile are made by editor Mary Lu Abbott, who was unavailable for comment.

In a news release, however, Abbott said Vero Beach has many of the qualities important to today's retirees.

"Vero Beach is home to miles of uncrowded beaches, multiple golf courses, a top-rated public marina and a variety of housing options at several master-planned communities," Abbott said. "Boating along the protected Indian River is popular among retirees in the area, and two inlets provide access to the Atlantic Ocean. Retirees also enjoy numerous volunteer opportunities, live productions at the community theater and art exhibits. Vero Beach combines a relaxed ambience and sophisticated flair that many find appealing."

Chandler said Tourism Director Lori Burns, who retired last week, supplied writer Jim Kerr with information about the community and helped him contact people to interview. Among the Vero Beach residents quoted in the article is Bill Curtis, whose term as chairman of the chamber of commerce ended Oct. 1. Curtis talked about the economic potential for sports tourism in the area and how much his children enjoy the beach.

Magazine spokeswoman Katie Davies said in the news release that each year, 700,000 Americans move to new towns to retire. Generally healthier, better educated and more affluent than retirees who stay put, relocating retirees bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns, she said. Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.

Where to Retire magazine was launched in 1992 with the goal of helping its readers find the ideal place to retire. Published six times a year, the magazine covers the best retirement regions, towns, and master-planned communities, and has a national circulation of 220,000.

© 2009 Scripps Newspaper Group - Online