| Are you swarmed with this list and that list of best | | | | This one entices you with its unique blend of living |
| places to retire? | | | | somewhere between a city and a town. |
| Don't get overwhelmed. | | | | Its major crowd puller is the Rocky Mountain National |
| You see, the retirement locations are already there; | | | | Park. |
| it's just a matter you make an informed decision to | | | | If you want to shop, dine and visit theatre, drop by |
| choose which place you want to retire to, based on | | | | Denver, which is nearby. |
| the research and information that's available to you. | | | | 6. Savannah |
| And of course, the ingredients of a retirement | | | | It has an old world charm about it with lots of |
| location such as the economy, climate, cost of living, | | | | mansions, old oak trees and walking trails. |
| access to healthcare facilities, crime rate, social and | | | | The lifestyle here is easy and non-cluttered with |
| cultural spots and transportation, should be your | | | | plenty of places to go for relaxation and |
| deciding factors in choosing one as your retreat, to | | | | entertainment. |
| spend your golden years there. | | | | 7. San Antonio, Texas |
| Armed with this, I'm giving you my own list of the | | | | It's a blend of terrain and cultures and a bargain in |
| best places to retire in the US. | | | | terms of low cost of living (Note: Housing prices are |
| (P/S: The number in the list doesn't signify the order | | | | $50,000 below the national median, and there's no |
| of ranking. It's just a convenient way of organizing | | | | income tax). The city basks in rich Mexican heritage, |
| things) | | | | which infuses every aspect of life here from food to |
| 1. Largo, Florida | | | | culture and arts. |
| By itself, Largo is already a vacation spot. So, you | | | | It also houses a dynamic business environment and |
| can understand its lure too as a retirement place. | | | | provides excellent medical facilities. |
| It's famous spot is the Largo Cultural Centre, where | | | | Culture also abounds in San Antonio, from rich ethnic |
| it hosts many music festivals. | | | | feel to great arts and museums. |
| The diversity of people who lives here brings to birth | | | | 8. Gainesville, Florida |
| a wide range of tantalizing cuisine from Spanish, | | | | The gorgeous Florida sun; the wonderful, warm |
| Portugese, Italian to Mediterranean, Asian, Japanese, | | | | freshwater springs where you can swim, fish or |
| Chinese...... | | | | canoe; the affordable housing and the best health |
| Largo sure has plenty of goings for you! | | | | care facilities, give you a quick idea whether you |
| 2. Ann Arbor, Michigan | | | | wanna retire here........ |
| It's a town blessed with beautiful sceneries with | | | | 9. Portsmouth, New Hamsphire |
| parks and beaches to enhance your sense of | | | | You'll love the art galleries, boutiques, used |
| nearness to the nature. | | | | bookstores and seafood cullinary outlets. |
| The town's pride, the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, | | | | Portsmouth is also a working waterfront where busy |
| features plays, concerts and cultural shows, to whet | | | | tugboats and tankers dock along the Piscataqua |
| your artistic appetite. | | | | River. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which dates |
| 3. Franklin, Tennessee | | | | back to the 1800s, is the oldest shipyard in the |
| It has its unique small town charm - purportedly a | | | | country and still a main economic engine of the |
| charm so alluring that it coaxes people who have | | | | region. |
| already settled elsewhere, to come here. | | | | 10. Ashland, Oregon |
| The charm? Peaceful, lay-back living; clean, serene | | | | Ashland is a cozy town of 20,000 odd people, tucked |
| environment; low cost of living; relaxed and carefree | | | | in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains in |
| lifestyle. | | | | conservative southwestern Oregon. |
| For scenery, Franklin boasts of scenic beauty with | | | | It's the host to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival |
| long stretches of rolling hills. | | | | (hold each year from February through November). It |
| 4. St. George, Utah | | | | also houses numerous theatres besides the |
| St. George has the most picturesque setting, nestling | | | | Shakeperean type. |
| close to the Snow Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Grand | | | | Recreational activities are everywhere, from walking |
| Canyon. | | | | and biking in 93-acre Lithia Park, a downtown oasis, |
| It's a charming town with attractive novel features | | | | to skiing and camping in nearby mountains. |
| of cultural life such as the Shakespearean Festival, | | | | So, are you keen to explore further these best |
| the Tuacahn Theatre and the Huntsman Senior | | | | places to retire? |
| Games..... | | | | Well, go for one of them if you feel it suits you. |
| 5. Fort Collins, Colorado | | | | |