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30 Best Cities to Make New Friends

These are the places where the 50+ make strong personal connections

spinner image Livable Cities, New Orleans
Biking in the French Quarter, New Orleans
Cedric Angeles/Intersection Photos

Cities where residents look out for family and neighbors, join civic groups, vote in high numbers and have easy access to the digital world are often good places to live. These 30 cities score highest on that scale. Washington, D.C. does well because of its many political connections. Sioux Falls, S.D., and Rapid City, S.D., excel in social engagement — how often residents interact with friends and neighbors.

See Also: AARP Livable Communities Guide

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Large

(Population 500K and above)     

Washington, D.C.

Portland, Ore.

Nashville

Jacksonville, Fla.

Philadelphia

Milwaukee

Boston

Austin, Texas

San Francisco

Columbus, Ohio

Medium

(100K-500K)                            

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Fargo, N.D.

Springfield, Ill.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tallahassee, Fla.

Madison, Wis.

Lincoln, Neb.

Springfield, Mo.

New Orleans

Gresham, Ore.

Small

(25K-100K)                

Rapid City, S.D.

Bismarck, N.D.

Franklin, Tenn.

Kearney, Neb.

Wheeling, W.Va.

Brentwood, Tenn.

Portland, Maine

West Fargo, N.D.

South Portland, Maine

Owatonna, Minn.

 

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