Amsterdam News, News Report, Greg Townes , Posted: Oct 10, 2011

Despite being plagued with serious financial problems and a largely negative public image due to present and previous misdeeds by some of its top officials, the Brick City was recently named as one of the best places for senior citizens and the elderly to live by a top-rated insurance company.

On Tuesday, executives from the Chicago-based Bankers Life and Casualty Company announced that Newark was No. 10 on its list of the 50 best places in the country for senior citizens and the elderly to live and retire. The study examined such factors as access to health care, economy, housing and transportation, among other issues of concern to the elderly. The report named Minneapolis and Boston the top two cities in the nation for seniors.

"Most surprising is that the survey results contain many cities we don't often associate with senior living," said Scott Perry, president of Bankers Life and Casualty. "We wanted to find cities that did the best job in providing the services and support that seniors need."

Perry highlighted the large number of general and geriatric physicians, nursing homes and senior centers as the main reasons Newark did well in the survey. Additionally, he credited Newark Mayor Cory Booker for being an advocate for seniors-most notably for establishing the City of Newark's Senior Citizen Commission last year.

However, some long-time residents of Newark have questioned the accuracy of the survey and wonder if all factors of the city were considered.

In a story about the best places for African-Americans to retire that appeared in the October 2008 issue of Black Enterprise magazine, not one city in New York or New Jersey was listed. In fact, the two states were mentioned among the worst states for seniors due to high property taxes and crime problems. On the Bankers report, two cities in New Jersey made the list, as well as New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Some residents are questioning the findings mentioned in the study.
Cheryl M. has lived and worked in and around Newark for more than 30 years. She said the study may not have fully included African-Americans and other minority seniors.

"This is one of the most expensive areas in the country to live," she said. "How can it be ranked as one of the best places to live for people on a fixed and limited income?"
Long-time Newarker Gloria M. said, "I disagree with any report that says Newark is one of the best places in the country for old people to live. I've lived in this area for more than 50 years and I still never go out after dark!"
To view the complete Bankers Life study, visit www.bankers.com.