Retiring to the Porch? Golden Years in Appalachia, Then & Now

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland, OR area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Growing up, she spent summers in Maryland with her grandparents, walking sections of the Appalachian Trail or visiting historical sites in the area. More recently, she hiked the trail in full for the first time and fell absolutely in love, especially with its rich history. She was especially taken by the trail’s natural history and the way it links together the American story, from the site of George Washington’s inoculation of troops against smallpox to the last battlegrounds of Shay’s Rebellion. If you want to follow her writing journey you can find her on Twitter.

Appalachia holds a special place in the cultural landscape of the U.S. It has a combination of breathtaking mountain vistas, freshwater lakes, unique arts, and close community spirit. It’s no wonder, then, that many people consider the region as an option to spend their retirement years. Whether they’ve spent their whole lives in the mountains or are transitioning from other states, the idea of spending the golden years relaxing on the porch is a tempting one.

Nevertheless, the reality of retiring in Appalachia is a little more complex. This is reflected by the region’s history. The mountaintop coal mines have impacted how older citizens have lived the remainder of their lives. It’s worth taking a moment to explore this, alongside looking at the benefits and challenges of retiring in Appalachia today.

The Early Years

Retirement has changed over the years in Appalachia. Certainly, the way of life for retirees in the century following the Revolutionary War wouldn’t be quite the same as you’d expect it today. Indeed, the first consideration is the likelihood of actually living to what we’d consider to be retirement age today. One study of census records of the white U.S. population between 1790 and 1900 places life expectancy at birth between the ages of around 37 and 51. This surely didn’t leave much time for an enriching retirement.

For those who did reach older ages, the ability to retire — in terms of entirely forgoing any type of work — would usually be dependent on family resources. Older residents would often expect to rely on the finances and support of their children and grandchildren. Though, for many people in rural areas, homesteading would be commonplace, with all members of the family working the land and trading for what they needed.

In some instances, participation in the Revolutionary War resulted in entitlement to a pension. Indeed, records show that some Appalachian residents were in receipt of this provision. This wasn’t just limited to those who fought in the war, either. Entitlement to the pension was also extended to widows and orphans of soldiers. As a result, these funds would have contributed to maintaining the quality of life for older populations.

Formal retirement as we’d recognize it today likely wouldn’t have been a realistic expectation for many people until the early 20th century. The challenges of the Great Depression, alongside other socioeconomic and political factors, prompted the passing of the 1935 Social Security Act. Initially, this provided old-age insurance payments directly to those over the age of 65, commensurate with what they paid into the system. However, later amendments expanded this to include payments to dependents. In effect, for the first time, those in Appalachia who had contributed through taxes could be guaranteed a retirement income.

The Development of Challenges

The introduction of the Social Security Act was, without a doubt, advantageous to those living in rural Appalachia. However, that’s not to say that retirement in the region has been without challenges. Historically speaking, some of these involved the potential for workers to be exploited by coal and other industry leaders. Low wages and limited access to benefits have historically perpetuated cycles of poverty in parts of Appalachia. As a result, this made it difficult for those living in the region to save money for retirement to bolster the Social Security benefits they expected to receive.

When the coal industry and unions agreed to a deal in 1946, businesses began to fund pensions for miners. However, the current condition of the coal industry in Appalachia has presented further challenges to those approaching retirement. As the necessity for more sustainable sources of energy has become more urgent, many coal mining businesses have declared bankruptcy, putting employer-funded pensions at risk. There are efforts underway to prompt the government to address this by directing funds to a pension plan run by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). Nevertheless, the financially secure retirement of many Appalachians remains at risk.

Certainly, these are among the elements people should review when looking to relocate to or from Appalachia during their retirement years. The ability to fund a move as well as financially thrive in a new location are primary considerations when you’re planning to move. In addition to practicalities such as packing, it’s also vital for retirees to research whether they’re able to gain the medical care they need in their intended location.

Healthcare can add to the challenges of retirement in Appalachia. One of the realities of aging is the potential deterioration of health, which makes treatment a key quality of life component. Unfortunately, there are well-documented healthcare disparities in the region. This is particularly prevalent in rural areas of Appalachia where health literacy and access to sufficient medical insurance and services are low. It is, therefore, vital for retirees to consider their health needs when looking at Appalachia as a retirement destination.

Access to Retirement Resources

While these challenges paint a complex picture, it’s equally important to consider the resources available for retirees in Appalachia. Any positive retirement experience relies on access to resources. So, how does Appalachia stack up on this level? Well, throughout its history and continuing to the present day, the region boasts an enviable array of outdoor living amenities. Indeed, it is the mild weather, hiking opportunities, and incredible wildlife that have helped make Appalachia a popular alternative to Florida for retirees. Plus, there are friendly communities to engage with. If retirees plan to spend their later years hunting, fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the scenery, Appalachia can be a fantastic choice.

In addition to recreational opportunities, some of the most important resources revolve around ways to keep pensions topped up. For instance, real estate tends to factor into retirement plans as an additional form of investment. Retirees can generate income from rentals, take advantage of a relatively inflation-resistant appreciating asset, and bring a little diversity to their pension savings portfolios.

It’s important to bear a few things in mind when considering Appalachia’s potential to provide real estate income sources. Firstly, in 2023 the value of homes in the region was much lower than the national median. This can be great from the perspective of purchasing a home as an investment, as buyers need relatively little capital to engage with the market. However, this also means that resale values are lower and landlords can expect to charge lower rents than in other areas.

The history of retirement in Appalachia is in step with much of the U.S., developing from family support in homesteads, through industrial action, and the introduction of Social Security benefits. There have also been specific challenges in Appalachia, related to the coal industry and poverty cycles. Nevertheless, as a retirement destination today, it offers some beneficial resources.

When considering these elements, it’s important to note that Appalachia’s history and continued challenges don’t necessarily make it a deal-breaker as a retirement option. There will always be hurdles to overcome, regardless of the location. The key is to gain a good understanding of the potential issues, including how locals have historically addressed them. This can be an empowering way to make decisions that ensure retirement is tailored to fit the retiree’s needs.