Retirement, often referred to as the “golden years,” is a significant life transition that most people look forward to and 5 Florida cities have made a list of best places to retire.
Retirement marks the end of a long and fulfilling career and the beginning of a new chapter in life. When my parents retired a few years back, all they wanted to do was get out of Illinois and get to warm weather. They’re finally moving to SWFL to Fort Myers next month. When I asked them how they plan to fill their days, my dad responded with “not working!” I’m sure that’s the highlight for those ready to wrap up 50+ years of toiling away. Retirement offers the promise of relaxation and leisure and while some don’t mind the weather or don’t want a big move, often times, it’s an escape to paradise that retirees crave. I see people out on the beach all the time and dream about what it would be like to have only THAT to do on the daily. Ahhh..one day.
5 Florida Cities made WalletHub’s list of best places to retire
When you’re not working for a paycheck, affordability is something retirees highly take into consideration. WalletHub put together their list of best places to retire to assist in helping people plan retirement affordably with the best quality of life. They looked at 180 cities in the U.S. and different factors like cost of living, number of recreation/senior centers, weather, tax-friendliness and more. You can check out the full list here. Below are the top 10.
Top 10 Best Places to Retire:
10. Atlanta, GA
Atlanta killed it in the quality of life category. So much to do if you’re into downtown city vibes, or the mountains not too far away. The city also did well in healthcare.
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9. Charleston, SC
If you’re a foodie and love the coastal lifestyle, Charleston is the city for you. The city ranked highest in healthcare and also high in quality of life.
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8. Cincinnati, OH
If you’re looking for affordability, look no further than Cincinnati, which is ranked the highest on list. The city also ranked high for quality of life and healthcare.
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7. Denver, CO
Denver is a city that I visit pretty often. All four seasons are gorgeous with lots to do. It ranked high on this list for affordability.
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6. Casper, WY
Casper ranked very high in quality of life and activities. You have hiking, skiing and lots of outdoor activities, it would be impossible to be bored.
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5. Miami, FL
Miami is kind of known for being expensive, but the city ranked high in affordability. The city got one of the highest rankings for quality of life as well.
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4. Orlando, FL
Orlando ranked high in quality of life. You have a little bit of everything there, the grandkids will love to come and visit and the beach is just a short drive away.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
3. Fort Lauderdale, FL
When I think affordability, Fort Lauderdale doesn’t come to mind, but it ranked pretty high in that category. It also got good rankings in healthcare and quality of life.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
2. Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale is one of my favorite cities, so it’s not just for retirees. But for those looking for desert days, the city did rank high in affordability. And it’s great for year-round golf!
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1. Tampa, FL
While right next to each, St Pete came in on the list at #11, but Tampa takes the top spot as the best place in America to retire. The weather is amazing year-round and the city ranked high for health care.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
