Retirement is the buzz in many places these days, especially among the Baby Boomer generation. With possibly a third of your life spent in retirement, it is important that you choose a place that is ideal for you, your needs and means. Retirement is often called ‘the golden years’, however if not planned properly, especially when it comes to location, those years may look a bit less sparkly. 

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Some big things to consider when picking a place to retire are: weather conditions, the price of housing, taxes, the cost of living, access to good medical care and possibly retirement homes. The United States is home to many great retirement locations, however we’ve narrowed it down to a few of the best cities to retire in popular American states. 

The Best Cities To Retire In Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota (population around 760,000) has been a popular place to retire in recent years and its desirability has only grown. This gulf coast town is home to a great art scene (The Ringling Museum), restaurants, beautiful beaches and a variety of housing options. Those who want to retire and live their life on the beach can opt for a Lido or Siesta Key beach condo. While downtown Sarasota is a great location to be in the heart of all the action, like the farmers market, art fairs, restaurants and performance halls. 

Those who live in Sarasota report feeling happy and safe in their community. It is also home to a great hospital, Sarasota Memorial. Therefore, you needn’t worry about not receiving top notch medical care. Sarasota is also well located, only an hour or two away from larger cities like Tampa and Orlando. 

Overall, Sarasota is a beautiful and well taken care of town that is ideal for those looking for a quiet gulf coast retirement location.

Port St. Lucie, Florida

For a taste of Florida’s East coast, consider Port St. Lucie. Located on the Atlantic Coast, Port St. Lucie is another great retirement city for beach lovers. This city is more affordable to live in with median home prices falling around 184,200 dollars. About a third of the population is of retirement age, which means you’ll have access to community. Additionally, the crime rate is very low and has great access to amenities. 

If you want to spend your retirement in nature, Port St. Lucie has many options. Besides the beach, residents can explore the Savannas Preserve State Park, paddle along the river or rent a boat, and visit the St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Baseball fans will love visiting First Data Field where the NY Mets hold spring training. 

Port St. Lucie is a wonderful retirement option promising good, sunny weather and a variety of activities with which to fill your leisure years. 

Jacksonville, Florida

If retirement in a large city is what you are looking for, Jacksonville, Florida might be the place for you. Located in northern Florida, Jacksonville is a nice combination of a large city and coastal beach town. Accessible public transportation, low unemployment rates, and affordable living (median house price: $185,700) make Jacksonville one of the best cities to retire in Florida. Public transportation not only includes buses, but water transportation like river taxis and ferries Additionally, Jacksonville has access to great medical care with top performing hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville. 

Jacksonville is a diverse city with people from all different ages and backgrounds. Spend time indulging in art, culture and music in the city. For some time in nature, Jacksonville is home to huge state parks, miles of beach, and intercoastal waterways. Those who want to enjoy active lifestyles during retirement can engage in exciting watersports, hiking, diving, fishing and golfing. When retiring in Jacksonville, you’ll find something for everyone!

Places To Retire in US with Good Weather

Retirement in San Diego, California

San Diego is one of the best cities to retire in California. Some of the best weather may be found throughout the year in San Diego. With the sandy beaches, picturesque mountain ranges, and the border of Mexico nearby, San Diego makes for a premiere retirement home. The weather itself allows for golf throughout the duration of the year as well as tennis and water sports.

The cost of living in San Diego may appear somewhat high compared to other cities, but the seventh largest city in the United States offers a variety of housing options from single family homes to high-rise condominiums and apartments. It is a military town and college town as well as a border town, so San Diego offers plenty of attractions such as Sea World, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo as well as sports teams like the Padres and Chargers. The city offers would-be San Diegans a wide breadth of cultural and artistic experiences. It is certainly one of the best cities to retire in on the west coast.

Retirement in Phoenix

Phoenix is one of the best cities to retire in Arizona. This desert oasis offers retirees a warm climate most days. The city boasts “300 sun-filled days” per year, according to Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix provides a retirement environment within driving distance of the Grand Canyon as well as Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Hoover Dam. Retirees can find a pleasant home in Phoenix with its recent housing developments within and outside of the city limits.

One does not have to go far to find culture in Phoenix. The city is filled with museums and attractions, including Native American reservations and the Painted Desert. Phoenix is home to the Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) sports franchises as well as the host city for college football’s Fiesta Bowl. In addition, Phoenix has numerous parks, lakes and nearly 200 golf courses. One can certainly retire in Phoenix and bask in the beautiful weather of the desert community.

Retirement In Las Vegas

Las Vegas has become one of the best cities in Nevada to retire for many people in the last decade or so. Its very affordable housing prices, no state tax, and low crime rate has been drawing people to this high action city. Beyond the glitz of the world-famous Strip, Las Vegas offers retirees plenty to enjoy in their golden years. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce asserts that “there is no better place to be a sun-worshipper.” It has low humidity, although its summer can have some high temperatures.

The Hoover Dam is just minutes away. Parks and golf courses are scattered throughout the city. Naturally, tourism serves as a major industry for the city, but the population is only just over 600,000 people. With just enough entertainment shows and concerts to whet one’s appetite along with the famous buffets on the Strip, Las Vegas can prove to be a pleasant place to settle down for a retiree.

It's Never To Early Prepare For Retirement

These are some of our top choices for the  best cities to retire the United States. When thinking about retirement it is important that you keep those key factors in mind, as well as other personal factors that may be important to you.

Planning a visit to these destinations is crucial to seeing if they are the right place for you. If you plan on doing multiple short trips you may want to invest in a good carry on. This one is really light weight, durable and has 360 degree spin wheels for easy maneuvering!

If you are younger and beginning to think about retirement, planning your finances is a great first step in preparing for your golden years. We have tons of articles on how to save, start an emergency fund, and get out of debt, that could be useful in getting your financial life organized. It is never too early to start preparing for life you really want!

Did any of these retirement locations surprise you? Where is your ideal place to retire? Let us know in the comments below!