Sunday, January 23, 2011

Top Ten Places to Retire - For Baby Boomers Who Are Nothing Like Their Parents

The top ten places to retire include cities that abound with outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. They are not large metropolis cities, yet are within easy driving distance of all that big cities have to offer.

As a baby boomer you are active, an innovator and entrepreneur. And you do not consider retirement a place to sit back and watch the grass grow. Here are the ten best places to retire for active baby boomers who want to live in picturesque surroundings with plenty of opportunities for being outdoors.

1. Deland, Florida
Deland is minutes away from beautiful beaches and is home to many forms of historic architecture and culture. With near perfect weather year round and proximity to the ocean, this city of 25,000 lends itself to unlimited opportunities for water sports and most outdoor activities. Deland offers a great opportunity in retirement to lead an active lifestyle.

2. Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard is known as the Land of Waterfalls due to over 200 waterfalls that flow from the picturesque mountain streams. It also boasts a mild climate, low crime rate and moderate housing costs. This charming town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to 7,000 residents and within easy driving distance of Asheville Regional Airport.

3. Peoria, Arizona
Peoria is a suburb of Phoenix, a well known retirement destination of approximately 143,000 residents. With warm weather all year round, this quintessential town offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and golf. The view is breathtaking, given the proximity of one of the most spectacular wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon.

4. Marco Island
The largest of a chain of islands off the coast of Southwest Florida, Marco Island is a popular place to go with its mild temperatures year-round outdoor activities and nature reserves close to retirement. With a population of 13,000 and an abundance of sun andwhite sandy beaches, Marco Island is home to a casual, easy-paced lifestyle and plenty of opportunities for water sports.

5. Central Coast of California
Home to 247,000 residents and also known as San Luis Obispo, this area offers breathtaking views of the ocean as well as sunsets that are meant to be enjoyed. It is home to fine wineries, dining and shopping, and a relaxed beach atmosphere. Opportunities for water sports are plentiful here as well as a more peaceful way of life.

6. Georgetown, South Carolina
This coastal village with a population of under 68,000 is idyllically wedged between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Georgetown is near great airports and shopping, not to mention fantastic golf opportunities. This city offers an unmatched coastal lifestyle with its unique historic area and recreational amenities.

7. Largo, FL
With a population of around 70,000 and its consistently pleasant weather, Largo is one of the top ten places to retire. With miles of white sandy beaches and its proximity to Tampa and St. Pete, you are never far from big city amenities. A place for a great opportunity in retirement to enjoy the outdoors year round.

8. Green Valley, Arizona
With a population of 18,000, Green Valley offers higher education with a focus on recreation and a crime rate well below the national average. The average temperature is in the upper eighties and the low is about 30. It is a golf-lovers paradise as well as home to numerous painting and sculpting studios.

9. Savannah, GA
Savannah has a population of about 300,000 and the city is bathed in elegant architecture and natural beauty. With its old-world charm and plenty of walking trails, Savannah is a city to enjoy slowly, making you feel as if you are living in another era.

10. Albuquerque, New Mexico
With its sunny climate and Sandia Mountains in the background, Albuquerque is home to writers and artists who are drawn to the beauty of its landscape. Albuquerque is also home to Intel and Kirtland Air Force Base which provides stability for the local economy. Although a little larger with about 500,000 residents, Albuquerque boasts plenty of climbing opportunities and many options for theater buffs.

If you are searching for great retirement locations, look in one of the top ten places to retire above. From the old-world charm of Savannah, Georgia to the near-perfect weather of Deland, Florida, these idyllic spots offer a mild climate, proximity to big-city amenities, and plenty of outdoor activities.

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