We all want to live long and be healthy. As it turns out, where you choose to live in the second half of your life can make all the difference. So, exactly what makes a city healthy? In doing our research, combing through the government records of hundreds of cities for more than 20 measures of vitality, we looked not only at the physical aspects of a community (clean air and water, for instance) but also at the health and habits of the people who live there. The two are closely linked: if you live near a hiking-and-biking trail and all your neighbors use it, you’ll probably use it, too. If a farmers’ market is just down the street, you’re likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. If your city has multiple hospitals, there’s a good chance you’ll get superior medical care.
The winners? It’s not surprising that our list includes several college towns. Large universities often have teaching hospitals, which employ top doctors using the latest technology. In addition, college towns are full of young people, and younger residents often create a demand for lifestyle perks such as bike paths and accessible fitness programs, which benefit all members of a community.
Few southern towns made our list, despite the warm weather and the relaxed pace of life that have long attracted retirees. Research has consistently shown that cities in the South tend to have some of the highest rates of obesity and chronic disease in the nation. Of course, there are always anomalies—and thank goodness for that, since the thought of retiring to a colder climate may have little appeal for some. Balmy Naples, Florida, came out high on our list, as did Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
All demographic information provided by Bert Sperling of BestPlaces.net. For black-and-white reprints of this article, call 866-888-3723.
2010 Best Places to Retire Abroad
We investigated the overseas retirement scene, looking for mostly warm and sunny, attractively affordable locales with good-to-excellent health care that are hospitable to Americans of retirement age. Read
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Argentina
Dance the tango and sip Malbec in Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America." Read
Belize
A Central American paradise that offers beaches, beauty and a fast track to residency status. Read
Costa Rica
The Central Valley's outlying towns boast temperate, dry days, natural beauty—and so much more. Read
France
Arts and culture, medieval towns and castles attract retirees to the Mediterranean region of Languedoc-Roussillon. Read
Italy
Find vineyards, snow-capped mountains and gorgeous Adriatic Coast beaches in Le Marche. Read
Mexico
First-class urban amenities and charming palm-fringed villages draw retirees to the Puerto Vallarta region. Read
Nicaragua
The dollar goes a long way in Granada—and the breathtakingly beautiful landscape doesn't hurt either. Read
Panama
The mountain village of Boquete offers something close to heaven for American retirees. Read
Portugal
Fall through a crack in time and into the good life in casual Cascais. Read
Spain
Along the beautiful Costa del Sol, the savvy retiree can find quaint villages and quiet beaches. Read
2009 Best Places to Live the Simple Life
Rich culture, great food, low stress. Who wouldn't want to call these affordable cities home? Read
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Tucson, Arizona

— Donovan Reese/ Getty Images
Tucson's Mexican, Native American and frontier roots have mingled to create a mosaic all its own. Read
Greenville, South Carolina

— Andre Jenny/Alamy
After 30 years of redevelopment, Greenville boasts many amenities and a pedestrian-friendly downtown. Read
Montpelier, Vermont

— David Frazier/Getty Images
The churches and homes of downtown Montpelier add intimacy to America's most livable capital city. Read
Logan, Utah

— Phil Schermeister/Getty Images
Opportunities to bike, hike and ski are all within easy reach for residents of this Utah town, nestled in the Cache Valley. Read
Ames, Iowa

— David Purdy/Getty Images
Offering 55 miles of trails for bikers, runners and walkers, Ames is ideal for anyone who loves wide-open spaces. Read














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