Daily Blog: Ithaca, Rochester and Bismarck: Job Enhancements

According to an AARP survey, “70% of Americans ages 45 to 74 plan to postpone retirement – both because they enjoy working and they need the income.”

With the current nationwide reduction in jobs, the cities with recession-proof industries such as “healthcare, higher education, government” are most attractive.

Ten of the “best cities for job-seeking retirees” have been identified by U.S. News and World Report, May 2009, p. 42.

Included are 3 five-figure cities, each with a different appeal factor:

Ithaca, NY (population 30,000) – Higher Education – “At Cornell University . . . 43 percent of employees are age 50 or older. The university also offers perks that may appeal to older workers, such as health screening on campus, paid time off for caregiving responsibilities, and compressed workweeks.”

Rochester, MN (population 90,000) – Healthcare – “The Mayo Clinic employs more than 28,000 people. ‘You can work here forever if your body and mind are still intact’” says an employee who works half a year and takes off the other half.

Bismarck, ND (population 55,000) – Government – “Government jobs typically offer generous health and pension benefits, which many private companies have been slashing . . . State capitals are often prime spots to land a local, state, or federal government post.”

Jobs are always an important issue – in today’s climate, even more. As with Ithaca, Rochester and Bismarck, a city’s attractiveness is enhanced when its jobs are enhanced.