| Some folks approaching retirement consider moving | | | | Average Temps: July - 93; Jan - 45 |
| to the most relaxing places found throughout the | | | | On the eastern Gulf Coast of Texas, sights and |
| ubiquitous "best places to retire" books; other folks | | | | sounds of unrelenting waves crashing tirelessly on |
| seek out safe and reliable retirement communities | | | | shore prevail, with each breaker making its mark in |
| that are tucked away behind security gates. | | | | the sand before slowly retreating. These sights and |
| However, a new breed of boomer is approaching | | | | sounds are what make this top ten Texas |
| retirement with an entirely different, more aggressive | | | | destination so popular. While vacationers enjoy spots |
| attitude. They want to be a part of the action, and | | | | such as the 130-mile long Padre Island National |
| to live in exciting and thriving economic havens. Most | | | | Seashore, daily shipping traffic motors in and out of |
| plan on working part- or full-time; and many want to | | | | the port, giving the local economy a boost. Job |
| jump head first into completely new endeavors. Here | | | | opportunities abound in industries such as tourism, |
| are three of the best places to live in America where | | | | petrochemical, military, and education. Want to own a |
| boomers can reinvent their lives. | | | | kite shop? has included Corpus Christi in its 2006 list |
| These cities are all fairly large, and they have hot | | | | of hot, mid-sized cities for entrepreneurs. For those |
| summers and mild winters. The cost of living falls well | | | | who want to stretch their hard-earned money as far |
| below the national average, but that doesn't come at | | | | as possible, Reuters ranked Corpus Christi in the top |
| the expense of terrific arts and cultural and | | | | ten out of 188 cities whose paychecks went the |
| educational opportunities. Crime rates are also all low | | | | farthest. Mild climates add to the city's appeal, |
| in these particular cities. | | | | offering nearly year-round recreational opportunities. |
| Augusta, Georgia | | | | Swimming, sailing, and surfing are just some of the |
| Population: 193,000 | | | | seaside activities pursued by locals. Those interested |
| Avg. Home Price: $250,000 | | | | in retiring, launching a new career, or both, will find |
| Avg. Annual Precipitation: 42 inches | | | | that with all of its amenities, Corpus Christi makes |
| Avg. Temps: July - 90; Jan - 34 | | | | dreams a reality. |
| Augusta's temperate climate creates an explosion of | | | | Boise, Idaho |
| color come springtime with azaleas in full bloom; and | | | | Population: 190,000 |
| the annual Masters Golf Tournament creates a | | | | Average Home Price: $215,000 |
| colorful explosion of its own. Fans funnel onto the | | | | Average Annual Precipitation: 12 inches |
| grounds of Augusta National Golf Course to watch | | | | Average Temps: July - 90; Jan - 21 |
| the world's top golfers vie for the inimitable green | | | | In the "land of the trees," the surrounding mountains |
| jacket. It is this time of year when the service and | | | | are full of trails for hiking, and fast, cold rivers for |
| sales segments employ nearly 50% of the population. | | | | trout fishing. Recently identified by Forbes magazine |
| Though the Masters generates a substantial amount | | | | as one of America's top ten locations for business |
| of revenue, businesses that create revenue year | | | | and careers, it's easy to see why people choose |
| round are what sustain a robust economy. To entice | | | | Boise to start a new company. In fact, the Boise |
| the entrepreneur, the city appeals to small businesses | | | | metro area is home to over 18,000 businesses, |
| with various incentives which, in turn, have resulted in | | | | dozens of corporate headquarters, and a half-dozen |
| a top 10 rating from Entrepreneur magazine. As well, | | | | Fortune 500 companies. One of the city's most |
| bigger businesses in the manufacturing and health | | | | recent crowning achievements is having arrived in the |
| care sectors, for example, provide a sturdy economic | | | | high tech age. Its lead employer, Micron Technology, |
| base. Augusta was recently identified in Where to | | | | has a workforce of approximately 10,000. Boise's |
| Retire magazine as one of America's eight great | | | | housing, health care, and transportation costs earned |
| budget towns, making retirement that much more | | | | the city a mention in Where to Retire magazine as |
| enjoyable. Work or play, Augusta is that elusive hole | | | | one of "America's best eight budget towns." Boise is |
| in one everyone's been waiting for. | | | | both affordable and convenient. Quick access to |
| Corpus Christi, Texas | | | | thousands of acres of open space, jogging trails, |
| Population: 277,450 | | | | parks, and museums make it easy for active |
| Median Home Price: $185,000 | | | | members of the community to get right down to |
| Average Annual Precipitation: 29 inches | | | | business. |