Retirement migration has been well documented over the past 2 decades. Initially, there were
many reservations expressed about the economic impact of retirees on receiving communities;
however, several recent studies have documented a positive financial benefit of retirement
migration for the destination areas. Although acknowledging the economic benefit of retirees on
receiving communities, this article addresses the broader implications of the retirement boom
on sparsely populated, nonmetropolitan coastal counties. The relationship between this aspect
of economic development and the rise of the tourist industry in these areas is also examined.
Other issues investigated include infrastructure requirements; environmental concerns; medical
facilities and personnel, and rising taxes, utilities, and other costs.
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