11 Worst Cities in the US to Retire

8) Gary, Indiana

When researching retirement destinations, Gary— also known as the birthplace of Michael Jackson— will likely not appear in search results. Gary, Indiana is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, despite its pop culture historical significance. There are few perks to the city such as its holding of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, its proximity to downtown Chicago, and a long list of landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. A few major motion pictures were also filmed in portions of Gary, including A Nightmare on Elm Street and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Retirees may appreciate the blue collar ethic surrounding the city as well as the location of the iconic Steel Yard, however The Gary population has declined dramatically over the years due to increased crime and low income. The violent crime rate, which includes murder and rape, is one of the highest in all of the United States. While Gary is located near the greater Chicagoland area, the lack of public funding and predominantly run-down neighborhoods makes it the least desirable and least likely city for retirement.