Niagara ReporterThe trashing of the city of Niagara Falls in the mainstream media continues unabated – it’s practically becoming a national pastime – and now a leading and reputable financial industry information clearinghouse, Bankrate, has joined the crowd – rating Niagara Falls as the worst place in the nation for retirement.
Bankrate isn’t even the first among the business reporting media outlets to badmouth the city.
A couple of years ago Bloomberg News described “Niagara Falls’ descent into blight… in spite of its proximity to an attraction that draws at least 8 million tourists each year… encompasses just about every mistake a city could make… Once a hydropowered center of industry, Niagara Falls is now one of America’s most infamous victims of urban decay, hollowed out by four decades of job loss, mafia infiltration, political corruption, and failed get-fixed-quick schemes.”
According to its website, Bankrate, founded in 1976, “continually surveys approximately 4,800 financial institutions in all 50 states in order to provide clear, objective, and unbiased rates to consumers. The Company provides free rate information to consumers on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees.”
“In addition to rate data, Bankrate publishes original and objective personal finance content to help consumers make better informed financial decisions… Hundreds of print publications depend on Bankrate as the trusted source for financial rates and information, including top newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times.”
We quote the preceding directly from Bankrate to establish the firm’s bona fides – this isn’t some phoney, clickbait outfit that somehow got up one morning and decided to pick on Niagara Falls. In fact, they claim 15 million monthly visitors to their website.
So what does Bankrate have to say about whether retiring to Niagara Falls is a good idea or not?
“The 10 worst cities for retirement” is the headline, “No. 1: Niagara Falls, New York.”
“Weaknesses: Highest tax rate in the U.S., crime, harsh winter.”
“Every year, 8 million people come from around the world to visit the country’s oldest state park, featuring that geological wonder, Niagara Falls. Active seniors will enjoy the city’s many bike trails. A myriad of restaurants offers varied cuisines, and the Castellani Art Museum on the nearby campus of Niagara University features an extensive contemporary art collection.”
“Attractions aside, retirees on a tight budget will have to contend with New York’s state and local tax burden, which is the highest in the country, according to the Tax Foundation. Niagara Falls also has the highest rate of crime in the state, according to FBI figures from 2014… seniors will (also) need to factor in the western New York winters, when icy conditions can make it challenging to get around by foot.”
Scoring nearly 200 cities, Bankrate utilized the following sources in formulating its rankings: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HealthView Services, Gallup-Healthways, the Council for Community and Economic Research, FBI, Tax Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, WalkScore.com and the Western States Arts Federation.
