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10 Best-Rated States for Retirement

Low cost of living (check), modest taxes (check) and nice weather (check)

from: AARP, Updated October 2012

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Many highly personal factors come into play when it's time to pick the perfect place to retire. Everything from availability of tee times to proximity to grandkids can have an impact on the decision. There's no one-size-fits-all formula. After all, one retiree's paradise can be another's hellish nightmare.

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Your Retirement

Dancing the night away in Texas, which ties with California as a great place to retire. — Photo by Robb Kendrick/ Aurora Photos

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MoneyRates.com seeks to add some objectivity to what's otherwise a very individualized life choice. The finance website looked at a number of factors to come up with its 2012 list of the 10 best states for retirement.

The criteria include climate, crime rate, life expectancy and economic conditions such as cost of living, job opportunities and taxes.

It probably won't take much convincing of anyone to believe that Hawaii tops the list as the best place to retire. (Yes, it's pricey, but the weather is great and the life expectancy age is high.)

Idaho and Utah came in second and third, respectively, despite their weather, thanks to low crime rates and favorable economic factors.

Had your heart set on a traditional Florida and Arizona retirement? Don't worry, both hot spots make the list.

[AARP Editor's Note: Individual cities in many of MoneyRate.com's "best" states have earned spots on AARP's Best Places to Retire lists. Check them out!]

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