I have put together this list of best places to retire because I had a visitor tell me he had to decide on a place to live before choosing a community and did I have a list. Baby boomers will be thinking about where to spend their retirement years. I believe this will be a "hot topic" for many years. You can let us know your best places to retire list on the form at bottom of page.

Best Places to Retire: 2009

This year: Healthiest Places: the healthiest places aren't ones that we may choose. You have to be a little bit of an adventurer since they are located away from pollution, bad air and bad water. We list here the places we have chosen.

#1 San Francisco is #1 - it's a city but the air comes directly off the Pacific Ocean and sweeps the town's pollution out on a regular basis - the fog in the summer may be a little too much for some who like the sun but the rest of the year is great. Despite the high cost of housing, it's definitely one of our best places to retire.

#2 Honolulu - Hawaii is consistently at the top of the list for healthy places to live due to the clean air and consistent climate - You can feel energetic here. Try the Hawaii Kai community - just rent for a carefree lifestyle.

#3 Montana - No surprise here - clean, clear air although very cold in the winter months - There is a retirement community here called Rainbow Retirement Community that boasts the world's oldest man at 113 years - is Montana the reason why.

#4 Maine - Oxford County in Maine has a very good air quality but also very cold in the winter as is all of Maine - Portland which isn't too far away and being on the coast will be slightly better climate. But if you like cold weather, we choose retirement communities in Portland for best places to retire.

#5 Idaho - see Boise, another cleaner environment

#6 - 8 - California - Northern California-any along the Coast or wine country - Napa area, Monterey, or North of San Francisco as well as San Francisco itself, which is #1.

#9 & 10 - Florida - Purest air is in Broward County, Pembroke Pines, and Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Alpine Park. Any area within 30 miles to the Coast should have a better quality of air and qualify for best healthy places to retire. (Please verify all information with local authorities.)

Our list is a very relaxed list--no intense research--just places we like and places that retirees are migrating to. We only chose ten out of many.

1) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina "Hot" resort areas will be on the Best Places to Retire lists for a long time to come, and currently at the top of the list for best places to retire is Myrtle Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean. There is a huge selection of resort ocean condominiums (see our new Retirement Resort page) and new home developments. There are a few over 55 communities here (see our article on Our Trip to Myrtle Beach, link below). Due to the problems in the current real estate market, there is a slowing market here, but should come back well in the future (check with local Realtors). Good for golfers and beach lovers.

2) Wilmington, North Carolina Very close to Myrtle Beach but a little more open land here if you would like to build on a piece of land further back from the ocean. Areas near the ocean also and being near Myrtle Beach a plus.

3) Cary, North Carolina Another "hot" category right now is inland areas of the Southeast and Cary is at the top of this list. Only an hour and a half drive to Atlantic Ocean beaches. Outstanding employment opportunities and mild weather. It's near the college town of Chapel Hill and the whole "Triangle" area is booming.

4) Greenville, North Carolina Southeast lakes are popular with retirees. (See our new Focus categories for North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia as well as our regular over 55 categories.) This is just one of many lake areas in the Southeast.

5) Charlotte, North Carolina At the top of the list for urban sophistication, another category that is in demand now. Another boomtown.

6) Savannah, Georgia and Surrounding Area which includes the Hilton Head area of South Carolina - Desirable for its quaint Southern and charming towns and ocean amenities.

7) Bend, Oregon In the Northwest area which is a very popular area now for retirees after the Southeast and Southwest.

8) Cape Coral/Fort Myers Several Florida towns would be on a list for Best Places to Retire but this one is one of the most popular in Florida according to the U.S. Census. Near resort areas of the Gulf with a lower cost of living.

9) St. George, Utah The Southwest is very strong for retirement and Utah is at the top of the list. Many healthful amenities.

10) Austin, Texas Couldn't decide between Austin or Idaho Falls as both are upcoming areas for retirement. One is in the Southwest and one from the Northwest, both the most popular areas for retirement.

As mentioned before, it is hard just choosing ten towns. We could have included some towns from Tennessee, like Clarksburg, a Southeast Inland town. We expect towns in Tennessee will be moving up the list for next year. We also didn't include some great college towns.

In general, we are looking at Resort Towns; Inland areas offering a slower pace and less expensive (but updated towns with amenities, not wastelands); College Towns for lifelong learning and stimulation; Quaint, charming and scenic Towns for classic lifestyle; and Sophisticated Urban enclaves. The most popular regions are the Southwest, Southeast, and Northwest.

See our 2007 list, below:

2007 List of some best places to retire:

Aptos, CA

This is a true gem. It's on the Pacific Ocean in Northern California between San Francisco and Monterey. The air comes directly off the ocean most of the time. The temperature seldom goes above 80. The bookstores and farmer's markets are plentiful. It inspires you to walk, beachcomb, play golf, tennis and hike its mountains. There are great restaurants and seafood. Only 35 minutes drive to Monterey/Carmel and about an hour to San Francisco. Santa Cruz, 15 miles away, is home to University of Santa Cruz and a colorful downtown. Drawback: Occasionally the fog comes in pretty heavily in summer and all of California is prone to earthquakes.

Saratoga Springs, NY

Again, very fresh, sweet air and cool in upstate New York. College town brings bookstores and good, cheap restaurants. I like the mineral spas. Scenery is gorgeous and area is a relaxing slow pace. Summer weather is perfect. Drawback: Long, cold winter Fix it by enjoying skiing, a cozy fireplace or a second home.

Berkeley Springs, WVA

Small town with great assets. George Washington bathed in its mineral springs and so can you. When I go there, I fill up jugs with this amazing water to take home. There is a historic downtown with great health food restaurants and quaint shops. Mountain air and relaxed, rural feeling.

Lake Grove, Long Island, NY

Here the air is fresh due to the close proximity to the ocean and there is shopping nearby. Long Island has lush farms and fresh produce is available in the summer months. New York City is only an hour away. Relatively uncrowded Atlantic ocean beaches are within 30 minutes. The further West on Long Island you go, the less traffic. Drawback: You will get suburban-type traffic jams due to large shopping areas. Fix it by not going out during the busy times.

Desert Hot Springs, Calif.

Great desert spot near Palm Springs, California. Short drive to Palm Springs restaurants, shopping, and quaint shops. But I prefer this town because of the mineral water spas and plentiful massage. Authentic Mexican restaurants are everywhere and clean air. Medical facilities in area. Just great healthy lifestyle. Drawback: Gets very hot in summer. Fix it by having a second home, air conditioning or stay inside. Nights cool off.

Clarendon, Virginia

You probably won't find this on any "best" lists, however, I think it is appropriate. Many seniors want to be in a downtown setting where they can easily walk to entertainment, restaurants and shopping. This is a stimulating downtown area next to Arlington, a more well known city in Virginia, both close to Georgetown and Washington, DC. Clarendon is more upscale and smaller than Arlington. When you live in one of its condominiums or many single homes, it can be a short walk to desirable upscale shopping. Many great restaurants to choose from for every cultural taste. Lots of young and sophisticated career people live here but this is part of what some seniors want. Drawback: Higher cost of living and traffic. Fix it by going with the stimulating flow, eating less but better and walking.

I'm sure most have heard of Carmel and Monterey but Pacific Grove is a nice town in the area with a high senior population and not quite as pricey. Very stimulating public trails along the ocean where tidepools abound on the great Monterey Bay for exploring. Close to outstanding restaurants, touristy shopping, and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Drawback: Foggy summers similar to San Francisco. Fix it by taking brief trips to sunnier places during summer. White Sulphur Springs, California

This town is between Napa (very well known) and Calistoga (a spa town). Spa towns have great restaurants, relaxed feeling and usually clean air. This town has great wineries as well..and beautiful scenery..

St. Augustine, Florida

One of many Florida towns that should be on the list. This is a town where you can find great shopping and activities quickly. You can reach every place in St. Augustine within ten minutes by car. I like to be on the ocean for those breezes and fresh air, too. You will find many things to do in the historic downtown.

Deer Valley, Utah

I consider this whole area to be a great place to retire due to its outdoor activities, scenery and good air. Major Ski Resorts are here. There is a lot to do. Winter skiing. Summer has horseback riding and hiking in gorgeous countryside. It's a great place to live. Utah is a healthy and beautiful state.

After you find a few great places, some things you may wish to check out further might be the crime statistics, the weather profile, median home price, closeness of medical facilities, among others.

Lists of Best Places have become very popular.

Some other lists to check out are: Money Magazine's Best Places to Retire; Forbes Magazine has a list, Progressive Farmer Magazine's Best Places to Live in Rural America; AARP has great articles, resources and lists; AOL's Best Places to Retire List and Best Places to Retire Magazine. Another resource would be travel magazines such as Travel and Leisure or Conde Nast Travel for resort areas. Also see our Recommended Books Category.

We have begun writing profiles about best places to retire and what they have to offer seniors. More to come but you can read these "best places to retire" here:

St. Augustine, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Boynton Beach, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
California

Back to Top

Please make your own selection of the best places to retire. These lists are very general and for information only. Always consult with local Realtors and other real estate professionals.

Click below to see best places to retire lists from other visitors to this page...

Return from Best Places to Retire to Bestguide-Retirementcommunities Home
See our new category Retirement Resort for second homes..