The 7 Best Places to Retire

If retirement is high on your to-do list, you may be wondering where you can find it attractive, affordable and advantageous. A new study by U.S. News and World Report compared the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country as potential retirement spots based on housing affordability, desirability, retiree taxes, the job market and access to quality healthcare.

Weighted based on a survey of people 45 and older about retirement preferences, more than half the list contains cities from three states: Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Here are the survey’s top seven findings:

Lancaster, Pa. The median home price is just $198,000, and the rural area near Amish country boasts rich history, quiet scenery and great healthcare availability.

Fort Meyers, Fla. Florida has no state income tax, and the area offers fishing, boating and beach activities and a median home price of $233,000.

Sarasota, Fla. Hurricane Irma slowed the influx of retirees into Sarasota, but the clean-up effort is just about complete. The median home price in the area is $239,000, and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota provide fine healthcare.

Austin, Texas. Known for its live music and quirky culture, Austin is both a college town and technology hub with great healthcare available. Seniors can take up to six classes free of charge at the University of Texas at Austin. Home prices average $283,000.

Pittsburgh, Pa. An exciting hub for sports fans, the city boasts several colleges and fine healthcare facilities. Residents 65 and older can get free public transportation on the city’s bus and rail systems, and the median home price for seniors is just $142,800.  

Grand Rapids, Mich. A haven for artists, the city offers volunteer opportunities and classes at several art museums along with good healthcare options and a median home price for seniors of just $171,000.

Nashville, Tenn. - With a median home price for seniors of $234,000, Nashville has many colleges and universities, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center is ranked No. 17 on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll. The city also supports several professional sports teams, and Tennessee doesn’t tax earned income (but will tax your dividends and interest.)