Any list of “10 Best” is open to individual assessment and disagreements, but some small cities just seem to drift to the top of those “best places to retire” lists year after year. Although retirees are not all looking for the same qualities in a new community, most active seniors want a place where they can be comfortable with other residents their own age, stretch those retirement dollars as far as possible, enjoy favorable weather much of the time, find ways to keep active, and enjoy cultural activities and sporting events.
Anyone approaching retirement age also acknowledges the need for medical facilities and access to quality health care. Beyond these common concerns, seniors also tend to look at quality of life issues including good food, comfortable housing, proximity to major airports, weekend travel, and a healthy business climate.
Are there really “10 Best” small towns to retire to? We admit that our list is not scientific, but we have selected 10 that we think offer enough variety to appeal to a broad spectrum of seniors. They may not all be equal, but all have a charm and a distinct vibe that attracts retirees as well as tourists.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe possesses a mystique that few other cities can claim. Nestled between the mountains at 7,000 feet elevation, the “City Different” is a consistently popular tourist destination. The lifestyle is informal and, even though Santa Fe is the state capital, it proudly retains some of the character of the Old West as well as its roots in Spanish and Pueblo Indian culture. It is home to a world-class opera and the gateway to outdoor adventure during every season. With a population around 70,000, it is a good place enjoy retirement, even though it is not inexpensive.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Owing its existence to natural thermal springs that many residents believe promote health and wellness, Hot Springs is the choice of numerous retirees, not only for its health claims but also because it boasts shopping, golf courses, a national park, museums, film and music festivals, and thoroughbred racing and gaming. This pretty little burg is also the boyhood home of Bill Clinton, with a current population of around 35,000.
Port Charlotte, Florida
Florida has always been popular with retirees because of its sunny warm climate and the absence of state income tax, but Port Charlotte, on the state’s Gulf Coast, is particularly appealing because of its laid-back vibe, its “small town” feel and its proximity to river, sea, small islands, and numerous other attractions. It was also hard-hit by the recent housing crisis, and good deals can still be made here. Located south of Sarasota and north of Naples and Fort Myers, Port Charlotte is a unincorporated community of about 50,000.
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city north of Boston, but it still has a friendly small-town feel, with plenty of reminders of its bustling seaport past. You won’t get away from winter in Portland, but most Mainers take winter in stride, and savor the spring, summer and fall. In Portland, seniors can find many creative outlets: crafts and antiques, fine dining, farmers markets, museums and galleries, parks and golf courses, sailing and beaches, golf courses, and senior enrichment courses at the University of Southern Maine. Portland itself has a population of under 70,000, even though its metropolitan area is several times that.
Bellingham, Washington
Located less than an hour south of British Columbia, Bellingham life revolves around Puget Sound and the water. Home to Western Washington University, and a popular shopping center for Canadian visitors, Bellingham is also the southern embarkation point for the Alaska State Ferry. The city is also the gateway for boating adventure in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Its relatively mild climate makes Bellingham ideal for retirees with an active bent. Fishing and boating are prime recreational pursuits. Approximately 80,000 residents call Bellingham home.
Denton, Texas
A mid-size community in North Texas, Denton is close enough to the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to offer convenient access, but far enough away to eliminate the hassle of big-city living. Denton has much to recommend it, including fine hospitals and health-care services, two major universities, a proud history, and a major, luxury planned community for active seniors that is more like a small town by itself. Denton’s population is currently just over 113,000, but it still feels like a friendly small town on the Texas prairie. And getting away to anywhere on the globe is easy: DFW Airport is less than an hour away.
New Bern, North Carolina
Whether you arrive in New Bern by highway or by boat, you’ll be charmed by the appearance and the appeal of this historic village. People are friendly, the architecture is impressive, the pace of life is slow, and local amenities are top notch. New Bern is on the river, rather than the coast; it is a community filled with trees and a 300-year-old history. And its just over 30,000 residents are united in the belief that it is one of the best places in the country to live.
Iowa City, Iowa
Known as the only UNESCO City of Literature in the U.S., Iowa City is also filled with football fans who cheer for the University of Iowa team. The city was Iowa’s territorial capital as well, and the stately Old Capital Building is a prominent feature of the local campus. Located in the center of rich farmland, Iowa City is a fine example of the mix of cultural interests and family life, and the melding of “town and gown.”
Couer d’Alene, Idaho
Nature doesn’t get much prettier than it is in Couer d’Alene. And life is just as pleasant in this stunning town on the shores of one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the country. This is a city of under 50,000 people who celebrate each season with gusto, reveling in the natural beauty and great opportunities to enjoy a varied lifestyle. It tends to be cold in winter and can get hot in the summer, but local residents just enjoy the natural beauty from indoors during those extremes. The overall cost of living is 95 on a scale of 100 and living is easy.
Sonoma, California
Wine lovers and others flock to Sonoma to visit as well as to settle because of the temperate climate, the outdoor attractions, the fine foods and the good wines. Retirees who appreciate such things will find much to love in this center of the California wine country. Only 45 miles north of San Francisco, the Sonoma Valley is known as the state’s happiest county. Indeed, its attractions are numerous and, although the lifestyle here tends to be upscale and pricey, if you can afford it on your retirement budget, Sonoma may just be the perfect choice for you.
2 Point Highlight
The lifestyle is informal and, even though Santa Fe is the state capital, it proudly retains some of the character of the Old West as well as its roots in Spanish and Pueblo Indian culture.
You won’t get away from winter in Portland, but most Mainers take winter in stride, and savor the spring, summer and fall.
It may be difficult to pick the “10 Best” places for retirees, but it’s not at all hard to list small cities with great appeal.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to call home in retirement, check out these 10 very appealing small cities.
