Jon Bilous // Shutterstock For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. The coronavirus pandemic also helped many realize that time could be fleeting. About 2.6 million more people decided to retire during the pandemic for various reasons, including safety issues and increases in the value of assets, according to an analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. But deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision. Stacker compiled a list of the 100 best places in the United States to retire using 2022 data from Niche.com. Rankings were based on a variety of factors such as weather and access to health care. You can read more about the Niche methodology here. A maximum of 10 places per state were included. Warm, sunny weather was the most common denominator among the best places to retire. The coasts of California and the deserts of Arizona are prime destinations, boasting hundreds of days of sunshine annually. Florida’s climate has also been a big draw for retirees, and the Sunshine State has grown in popularity since COVID-19. Options for recreation play another big role, especially top-ranked golf courses and tennis clubs. Other top retirement destinations offer natural attractions, like trails for biking and walking or mountain settings for hiking and bird-watching. Sand and surf locations offer beaches, boardwalks, boating docks, marinas, fishing charters, swimming, and sailing opportunities. Desert sites are popular as well, promising sunny days, little rain, and striking landscapes. Some of the most desirable retirement destinations are those located near major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, all of which are ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living–often due to pricey housing costs–that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference as well. All the top retirement destinations take a cue from Arizona’s Sun City, one of the first planned communities for active older adults that offered opportunities for retirees–with little interest in just fading away–to keep busy and engaged. Whiling away retirement years on a front porch in a rocking chair is no longer ideal. You may also like: Here are the best places to live on the East Coast, from New England to the Florida Keys #100. Timonium, Maryland tokar // Shutterstock – Population: 10,642 Timonium, Maryland, is a Baltimore suburb that gets high marks for accessibility to restaurants, shops, and transportation. It is served by a light rail system that carries passengers to downtown Baltimore and to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The former Timonium Race Track property is now home to the annual Maryland State Fair. #99. Greenville, Delaware Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock – Population: 2,448 Located in New Castle County and a suburb of Philadelphia, Greenville, Delaware, is a woodsy community nestled near the picturesque Brandywine Valley. There are plenty of parks and about 51% of the residents rent their homes. President Joe Biden has a private home here. #98. Mammoth Spring, Arkansas Paul R. Jones // Shutterstock – Population: 1,117 Located on the Arkansas border with Missouri, Mammoth Spring is a small town of just over a thousand people. The town’s namesake is one of the largest natural springs in the world. The spring forms a 10-acre lake and the Spring River, which is known for its trout fishing. #97. Belmont Estates, Virginia ThePhotosite // Shutterstock – Population: 1,204 Belmont Estates is located in the Shenandoah Valley just west of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Residents take advantage of the area’s many outdoor activities, from hiking and biking trails to fishing and paddling. Harrisonburg also has more than 200 restaurants and is home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. #96. Riverwoods, Illinois Nejdet Duzen // Shutterstock – Population: 3,536 In Riverwoods, Illinois, residents live among the trees. This village, located 24 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, has policies in place to protect its famed woodlands. The village borders the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, a 565-acre nature preserve that offers hiking and cross-country skiing along the Des Plaines River. #95. Corte Madera, California Drew Shetter // Shutterstock – Population: 9,793 Corte Madera, California, is located along the San Francisco Bay in Marin County, just 12 miles north of San Francisco. A nonprofit organization called Age-Friendly Corte Madera provides support and resources to help seniors stay active and involved in order to have a high quality of life. The organization has earned Corte Madera recognition as part of the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. #94. Bella Vista, Arkansas shuttersv // Shutterstock – Population: 28,819 Bella Vista, Arkansas, is known for its outdoor recreation possibilities. It boasts several lakes; golf courses; and the Back 40, a system of almost 40 miles of trails for biking, hiking, bird-watching, and walking. #93. Chevy Chase Village, Maryland Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstockk – Population: 1,871 Chevy Chase Village, the wealthiest town in Maryland, boasts a low crime rate and a highly educated population–65% of residents have a master’s degree or higher. Being close to Washington D.C. gives residents easy access to all of the amenities of the city, but housing prices are also very high. #92. Ocean City, Maryland Canva – Population: 6,957 Beachfront Ocean City, Maryland, has a year-round population of about 7,000 people and can swell to more than 300,000 on typical summer weekends. It has 11 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches and a lengthy boardwalk, and it is popular for fishing from the surf, from piers, and from charter boats. #91. Indian Hills, Kentucky Corey B Stevens // Shutterstock – Population: 3,011 Indian Hills, on the shores of the Ohio River, is a comfortable suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, and it’s also about 100 miles from Cincinnati. But for retirees, Kentucky does not offer the best elder services, quality of life, or access to quality health care. #90. Flat Rock, North Carolina Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock – Population: 3,354 Close to Asheville, North Carolina, and closer yet to Hendersonville, North Carolina, Flat Rock is a village with arts and crafts galleries, restaurants, and shops. It dates back to a time when wealthy residents of Charleston, South Carolina, and plantation owners built summer homes in the mountains to escape the summer heat. Located in the village is the state theater of North Carolina’s Flat Rock Playhouse and the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. #89. Aledo, Illinois Canva – Population: 3,625 This county seat of Mercer County is located in the western part of the state, approximately 15 miles from the Mississippi River. The town has a rural feel to it and celebrates many festivals throughout the year, including one dedicated to rhubarb. For frequent travelers, the Aledo Police Department will check in on homes while residents are away to make sure they’re safe. #88. Emerald Isle, North Carolina Lewis Directed Films // Shutterstock – Population: 3,691 Emerald Isle is on Bogue Banks Island, part of North Carolina’s Inner Banks islands on the Crystal Coast. The beach and ocean are key focal points of this town, with plenty of sand and water activities like boating, kayaking, beach volleyball, and fishing. Residents are allowed to drive registered golf carts in town. #87. Summersville, West Virginia Jim Vallee // Shutterstock – Population: 3,316 Summersville Lake is the gem of Summersville, West Virginia, and the lake season is celebrated here. Residents of this mountain town can enjoy swimming, boating, paddling, scuba diving, and fishing–the West Virginia Bass Federation regularly hosts tournaments at the lake. While life here can be peaceful, West Virginia ranks low in terms of senior health care and life expectancy. #86. Sea Breeze, North Carolina Chris Hill // Shutterstock – Population: 1,646 A suburb of Wilmington, North Carolina, Sea Breeze is an unincorporated waterfront community. During the Jim Crow era, it was a popular resort for African Americans, but Hurricane Hazel devastated the area in 1954. Today it’s a popular destination for those who like to play on or in the water. #85. Little River, South Carolina PQK // Shutterstock – Population: 9,692 Little River, South Carolina, is an unincorporated community north of Myrtle Beach on the border of North Carolina. Residents don’t have to pay local taxes, and they rely on the county government to provide services. Little River has a reputation for being laid-back and offers plenty of outdoor recreation ranging from water activities to golfing. #84. Sandia Heights, New Mexico JackKPhoto // Shutterstock – Population: 3,111 A suburb of Albuquerque, Sandia Heights has a rural feel–residents often come across deer, bobcats, roadrunners, and even bears exploring the area. Residents aim to keep a feel for the natural beauty of the area, including having homes in subdued colors that blend into the mountain environment. The Sandia Mountains are a major feature of the area and are a prime place for hiking and bird-watching. #83. Isle of Palms, South Carolina Canva – Population: 4,371 The barrier island community of Isle of Palms is just north of Charleston, South Carolina, with miles of sandy beaches as well as plentiful spas, golf courses, and the Wild Dunes Resort with private homes and condominiums. Isle of Palms is a nesting site for female loggerhead turtles, which build nests and lay eggs between May and August each year. #82. Surfside Beach, South Carolina Trisha McQuade // Shutterstock – Population: 4,470 Family-oriented Surfside Beach has made it a point to be inclusive and welcoming, declaring itself an autism-friendly travel destination with specially trained employees at local businesses and specially designed lodging, and providing multiple entry points to beaches that can accommodate wheelchairs. More residential and year-round than other nearby resort towns, Surfside Beach is close to Myrtle Beach and to the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of beaches along the South Carolina coast. #81. Chatham, Massachusetts Lucky-photographer // Shutterstock – Population: 6,009 The natural beauty and moderate weather of Cape Cod are among several reasons many people retire to the fishing village of Chatham, Massachusetts. Residents enjoy outdoor activities like boating, golfing, biking, hiking, and bird-watching at the nearby Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Nearly half of Chatham’s population is over 65, and there are plans to build a new Chatham Center for Active Living to serve this demographic. #80. DeCordova, Texas Canva – Population: 2,981 A small town approximately 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth, DeCordova is a gated community located on Lake Granbury. Residents belong to the DeCordova Bend Estates Owners Association and the DeCordova Bend Estates Country Club, which features two golf courses, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a park, and courts for tennis, pickleball, and basketball. #79. Seal Beach, California Jon Bilous // Shutterstock – Population: 24,268 At the northern end of Orange County, Seal Beach, California, has sweeping beaches, picturesque neighborhoods, and one of the state’s longest wooden piers. The saltwater wetlands of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge provide a habitat for thousands of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway as well as for an array of fish, sea turtles, and butterflies. #78. Laguna Woods, California Matt Gush // Shutterstock – Population: 16,056 Laguna Woods sits on what was once a sprawling cattle ranch in Orange County. It features Laguna Woods Village, a gated community for older adults that offers tennis, horseback riding, golf, swimming, performing arts, and a bus transportation system to reach shops, restaurants, churches, and health care facilities. #77. West Yarmouth, Massachusetts Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock – Population: 6,388 West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, comprises the southwest portion of Yarmouth, a town on Cape Cod. The community lies along the Nantucket Sound and Lewis Bay, so maritime activities are a big draw. The town has several beaches, ponds, boat launches, and trails. #76. Centerville, Ohio Beeline Aerial // Shutterstock – Population: 23,766 Centerville, Ohio, features about 30 old stone houses, built from native limestone, that give it a historic feel. For elderly residents, the city offers home maintenance resources and a call-in program to check on residents’ well-being. #75. Meadowlakes, Texas Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock – Population: 2,274 Meadowlakes is a gated community in the Hill Country of Texas, northwest of Austin. Its focal point is the Hidden Falls Golf Club, which features an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a pool. Lakeside Park offers access to boating and fishing on Lake Marble Falls, and the town also maintains a recreational vehicle storage facility for residents. #74. North Decatur, Georgia Paper and Posies Photo // Shutterstock – Population: 15,833 North Decatur is a suburb of Atlanta near Emory University. It has convenient public transportation to medical care facilities, the more commercial city of Decatur, and midtown Atlanta. #73. Weston Lakes, Texas Alessandro Cancian // Shutterstock – Population: 3,846 Weston Lakes, Texas, is a planned, gated community with lakes stocked for fishing and a championship golf course. It is located in rolling hills to the west of Houston. Nearly half of its residents are over 55. #72. Indian Wells, California Canva – Population: 5,463 Luxurious Indian Wells, in California’s Santa Rosa Mountains, is just a short drive from Palm Springs, California. It was popular with Hollywood stars in the ’50s and ’60s, and today its palm tree-lined streets are filled with spas, top dining, and shops. Indian Wells hosts the annual BNP Paribas Open professional tennis tournament. The cost of living is high, especially when it comes to housing. #71. Olmos Park, Texas Randall Runtsch // Shutterstock – Population: 1,856 Olmos Park is an affluent enclave of about 800 homes, surrounded entirely by the city of San Antonio, Texas, with impressive estates dating to the 1920s. Much of it is green and shaded by a canopy of old oak trees. Although Olmos Park is only about three-fifths of a square mile in size, it operates its own police, fire, and environmental services departments. #70. Prospect, Kentucky DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock – Population: 4,961 A suburb of Louisville, Prospect ranks as one of the safest cities in Kentucky. Its police department offers a house watch service for those who travel out of town. The town currently has five neighborhoods, but two more are under development as its population continues to grow. #69. Herricks, New York James Kirkikis // Shutterstock – Population: 4,032 Herricks, New York, is a hamlet on Long Island that is governed by the town of North Hempstead. Its southern border is along a bus line that allows residents to travel to other towns on the island. The bus line also connects with trains that will go into New York City. #68. Clear Lake Shores, Texas Cire notrevo /34/ Shutterstock – Population: 1,371 Clear Lake Shores bills itself as “the yachting capital of Texas,” and for good reason–it is popular with boaters and anglers. The city also has a designation as a bird sanctuary, as it’s part of the Clear Lake Loop of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. For getting around on dry land, residents are allowed to drive golf carts in town. #67. St. Simons, Georgia CE Photography // Shutterstock – Population: 15,291 Historic St. Simons, Georgia, is brimming with stately mansions, beaches, and picturesque oak-lined streets. The area has a number of top golf courses, and the PGA’s RSM Classic tournament is held at the Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons. #66. Pleasant Ridge, Michigan Steve Lagreca // Shutterstock – Population: 2,589 Pleasant Ridge, less than 2 miles north of Detroit, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the classic houses along its wide, tree-lined streets. The community is built on an ancient beach ridge, one of many that are located parallel to the Great Lakes and their channels. #65. Del Mar, California Seojoohyun // Wikimedia Commons – Population: 4,331 Charming Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego, was once a getaway oceanside location for Hollywood film stars. It features Tudor-style buildings, outdoor cafes, and the feel of a European village. It also features thoroughbred racing at the Del Mar racetrack. #64. Southern Shores, North Carolina Canva – Population: 2,931 Southern Shores is situated to the north of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks. The oceanfront town is residential, with low-density single-family homes and little commercial development. #63. Larkspur, California Stas Volik // Shutterstock – Population: 12,363 Marin County’s Larkspur is scenic and historically rich, filled with false-front commercial facades, Victorian homes, a Mission Revival-style city hall, and the art deco Lark Theater. Larkspur Landing has dining, open-air shopping, and the Golden Gate Ferry terminal for boat travel to San Francisco. #62. Sunset Beach, North Carolina Richard A. McGuirk // Shutterstock – Population: 3,994 The town of Sunset Beach is set on a barrier island and on the mainland of southeastern North Carolina along the Intracoastal Waterway. Its historic pontoon swing bridge was replaced in 2010 by a steel span. From a small beginning in the late 1950s, Sunset Beach has grown, with nearly 4,000 year-round residents, three golf courses, preserved marshland and dunes, a protection program for nesting loggerhead sea turtles, and lush birding trails. #61. West Brunswick Township, Pennsylvania CandyBox Images // Shutterstock – Population: 3,214 West Brunswick Township is a quiet town in east central Pennsylvania with nearly 45% of its population being 55 and older. It boasts a low cost of living, and its hospital is accredited as a primary stroke center. #60. Bellbrook, Ohio JaySi // Shutterstock – Population: 7,277 An outlying suburb of Dayton, Bellbrook is undergoing an economic revitalization program to improve its downtown area and reengage the community. Homes here typically cost less than in the surrounding area. #59. Great Neck Gardens, New York John Penney // Shutterstock – Population: 1,213 A New York City suburb, affluent Great Neck Gardens is located on Long Island’s north shore. Its cost of living is nearly twice as high as the rest of New York, and the median price of a home is more than $1 million. #58. Sea Girt, New Jersey
Best places to retire in America
