The top places to retire in the United States have been revealed.
U.S. News & World Report has measured the best places to settle down in retirement based on several factors, including affordability, happiness, desirability, retiree taxes, job market, and health-care quality. Almost all of the most-coveted spots are in the east and southeast of the country, and most have relatively low housing prices.
The beach city of Naples, Florida, takes the top spot in the report, and is already incredibly popular with older generations seeking a post-work life in the sun and by the sand. You’ll be in familiar company if you choose to retire to Naples as well: more than 50 percent of its relatively small population of around 122,000 people are aged over 65.
Florida has by far the most areas considered desirable for retirement, with eight spots in the top 25, including Sarasota in 4th, Jacksonville in 7th, and Pensacola ranked 17th.
Elsewhere, Virginia Beach, Virginia, is ranked as the second most desirable spot for retirees. Another coastal abode with a population of around 450,000, the resort city has miles upon miles of beaches and is already a popular holiday destination for families. The cost of living is pretty much in line with the national average, and house prices come in well under the U.S. median ($420,400) at $358,477.
A far cry from the quieter cities further south, in third is New York. While a quiet and cheap retirement is unlikely in America’s biggest city with house prices and the cost of living being considerably higher than other desirable retirement spots, the Big Apple received a 10 out of 10 score for health care, compared to scores of below four for the top two spots.
Other spots that make it into the top 10 are primarily in the eastern and southern states, with the exception of Boise, Idaho, which ranks at number six. Cities and towns in the west make an appearance in the top 25 most attractive spots, with San Francisco, California, placing 14th, and Seattle, Washington, at 22nd.
Popular Midwestern spots also feature, including Fort Wayne, Indiana, rounding off the top 10; Green Bay, Wisconsin, coming in 11th; and Omaha, Nebraska, being the 25th best retirement spot.
The top 25 places to retire in the U.S. are:
- Naples, Florida
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- New York, New York
- Sarasota, Florida
- Boise, Idaho
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Washington, D.C.
- Charleston, South Carolina
- San Francisco, California
- South Bend, Indiana
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Pensacola, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Port St. Lucie, Florida
- Melbourne, Florida
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Seattle, Washington
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Omaha, Nebraska