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Top 10 Places To Retire

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Scottsdale Arizona

Scottsdale Arizona

Top 10 Places To Retire

When you think of retirement you probably think of plenty of sunshine and recreation. But think farther down the road, ten maybe twenty years.

When choosing a city or state for retirement its probably a good idea to do a little research to know what it offers beyond the 18th green or the lady’s Yoga class at noon. What about quality health care? Oh, healthy as a horse eh? Here’s a fun fact for you; we all get old. Actually that would be the best goal. Get as old as possible. We won’t mention death but what about taxes? Florida is a great tax state. What are the others?

Ok so how did we come up with these 10 places to retire? We let other people do the research based upon nearly 200 U.S. cities taking into account climate, crime, financial factors, health care and just how easy it is to get around. The best cities to retire to offer an abundance of natural attractions, cultural options and did we mention good weather?

When you think of retirement, quite frankly Florida and Arizona are what people usually think of. But it’s hard to climb mountains in Florida. If hiking in mild temperatures is your thing, forget about Arizona. Of course you can hike there, just not in year-round mild temperatures. So without further ado let’s go to the city that is tenth on the list.

Next - # 10 - Kendall, Florida

 

 

 

 

 

When you think of retirement you probably think of plenty of sunshine and recreation. But think farther down the road, ten maybe twenty years.

 

When choosing a city or state for retirement its probably a good idea to do a little research to know what it offers beyond the 18th green or the lady’s Yoga class at noon. What about quality health care? Oh, healthy as a horse eh? Here’s a fun fact for you; we all get old. Actually that would be the best goal. Get as old as possible. We won’t mention death but what about taxes? Florida is a great tax state. What are the others?

 

Ok so how did we come up with these 10 places to retire? We let other people do the research based upon nearly 200 U.S. cities taking into account climate, crime, financial factors, health care and just how easy it is to get around. The best cities to retire to offer an abundance of natural attractions, cultural options and did we mention good weather?

 

When you think of retirement, quite frankly Florida and Arizona are what people usually think of. But it’s hard to climb mountains in Florida. If hiking in mild temperatures is your thing, forget about Arizona. Of course you can hike there, just not in year-round mild temperatures. So without further ado let’s go to the city that is tenth on the list.

 

10: Kendall, Florida

 

For safety and convenience, it’s hard to beat Kendall Florida, population around 75,000 which sounds like a lot for a small bedroom community of Miami. Did we mention Kendall is home to Dadeland Mall, an upscale indoor shopping mall in East Kendall? There is plenty to do there. Just about everything is walking distance.

 

 

9: Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston has a plethora of art galleries, restaurants, golf courses, beaches and much more.  Most say that when visiting Charleston most of the hidden gems are off the beaten path. Of course if you lived there you would know where all the beaten paths were and avoid them.

 

With the mild Atlantic breeze, summers are tolerable and winters are downright cozy. This is one port city defined by cobble stone streets and horse drawn carriages. There are plenty of antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery district. The first shots of the civil war were fired in Charleston at Fort Sumter.

 

8: Cape Coral, Florida

Another Florida city, is this a pattern? Retirees can expect plenty of sea and surf related recreation from Cape Coral. Cape Coral is on the Gulf Coast side of Florida near Fort Myers.  Snowbirds, Seniors from the north, migrate each winter to Florida usually from October through April.

 

According to the Gallup-Heathways Well Being Index (and we didn’t make that up) people in Cape Coral or satisfied with their lives.. Residents ranked in the top for their physical health, financial security, supportive social networks and an overall sense of purpose.

 

Cape Coral has a low walkability score, but hey, the further you have to walk, the better shape you’re in. How do you think they scored so high in health? The cost of living is about the same as the national average. Cape Coral also has a low rate of violent crime. And that’s according to the FBI who, well, would know.

 

7: Glendale, California

We go all the way across the nation for our next hot pick, Glendale California, a suburb of Los Angeles also known as the Jewel City. Glendale, not Los Angeles.  Glendale has more than 5,000 acres of natural open spaces with trails  and roads enjoyed by joggers, hikers, mountain bikers and of course a few slow walking stragglers. 

 

Southern California has beautiful weather. There we said it. Everybody knows it but we said it anyway. Ok, so not a lot of rain in southern California but that why everybody is so active.

 

Challenging cost of living. Prices for prescriptions and gasoline are above the national average. Home prices are higher too.

 

As far as crime, Glendale gets a top 10 rating for low incidences of crime. The FBI shows few violent crimes per capita.

 

6: Round Rock, Texas

Round Rock, “The Sports Capital of Texas”. Well at least it’s Round Rock’s opinion. Go and see yourself, its on a lot of signs.

 

Seniors in Round Rock are a hop skip and jump away from one of the cultural centers of the Southwest, Austin Texas. 20 Miles to the south.

 

Round Rocks scores high for well-being, again according to that Gallup thing we mention earlier. They also scored high for health and financial stability. Austin also has a low crime rate.

 

 

5: Scottsdale, Arizona

If you like the Southwest, and if you like the dry heat of the desert, you will love retiring to Scottsdale. There is Pinnacle Peak Park, a 150-acre park where seniors can take starlit strolls. Or take a guided hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which is a little larger than 30,000 acres.

 

Hate the heat but like air conditioned shopping, Scottsdale calls itself Beverly Hills of the Southwest.

 

According to our friends at Gallup-Healthways, residents of Scottsdale feel good about life. They give themselves high health ratings as well as a good sense of life and purpose. With all that sunshine, what is there to feel bad about?

 

 

4: Sarasota, Florida

Well we were due for another Florida city, Sarasota. Sarasota is one of those towns where there is more than meets the eye. Culture seniors find plenty of theater and operas. The Ringling Museum arts complex features Ca’d’Zan, John Ringling’s Venetion Gothic mansion.

 

Since it is on the Gulf Coast, there are many “water things” to do. Obviously it’s also a Golf haven. We hate to mention the obvious things but there are rules etc.

 

Sarasota gets high marks for well-being. The cost of living is slightly above average but there is that Florida No Income Tax thing.

 

3: West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines is a former railroad town.  The affordability is West Des Moines major selling point. The Council for Community and Economic Research says the costs in West Des Moines are approximately 10% below the national average. And they should know.

 

According to Gallup-Healthways’ Well-Being Index, financial stability scores will with residents as well as their sense of security. There is a thriving job market in West Des Moines also.

 

West Des Moines scored in the top 10 list for health care.

 

2: Franklin, Tennessee.

 

Franklin, located about 20 miles southwest of Nasheville is what small town Main Street all about . As a matter of fact there is an annual Main Street celebration.  The city offers senior history buff several Civil War sites which include Carnotn Plantation and the Civl War command post Carter House.

 

Health Care is less than the national average. Overall cost in the area are less than the national average but that’s why we move to small towns and also why Franklin is number two on our list.

 

 

#1 Arlington Virginia.

 

Arlington Virginia tops our list. Just think 26 square miles of big city culture and amenities with a small town feel. The walkability score for Arlington is high which is great since there are many things to walk to! Arlington is also served by the Metro, the Washington DC area subway system.

 

Arlington gets high marks for well-being on the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index. Financial and physical health were at the top.  Washington DC is a stone’s throw away.

 

 
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