25 Best Places to Retire

Port Charlotte, Fla.

Population: 48,000
% over 50: 44%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $170,000

Lots of places in Florida have been battered by the housing bust. But this laid-back Gulf Coast town, just across Charlotte Harbor from pricier Punta Gorda, arguably best hits the sweet spot of great prices and great amenities. Homes here cost less than half what they did in late 2005, and about 40% of them sit on canals and waterways leading to the harbor -- which has 270 square miles of cruising waters and 219 miles of protected shoreline. -- By Sarah Max

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Next: Palm Springs, Calif.

Palm Springs, Calif.

Population: 48,000
% over 50: 42%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $250,000

It's easy to see the appeal of living in the desert town beloved by Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack. Residents get 332 days of annual sunshine, 360-degree views of the mountains, and as much culture and design as they can pack in. They can see paintings and sculpture in the 125,000-square-foot Palm Springs Art Museum, landmark midcentury architecture by the likes of Richard Neutra and Albert Frey, and indie movies galore at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. . -- By Sarah Max

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Next: Traverse City, Mich.

Traverse City, Mich.

Population: 14,300
% over 50: 41%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $250,000

You don't often hear of people moving to Michigan for the weather. But that's exactly what Susan and Alan Szepanski, 49 and 51, did. After working for the Alaska state government for a combined 55 years, they were able to retire early -- and started searching for a new home. "I wanted a place with access to good medical care and lots of culture," says Susan. "Al wanted water." And both wanted four seasons -- but winters less long, dark, and harsh than those in Juneau. The couple found everything on their wish list in this pretty town on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. Last April they paid about $500,000 for a brand-new, 3,100-square-foot Craftsman-style house with lake views. -- By Sarah Max

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Next: Pinehurst, N.C.

Pinehurst, N.C.

Population: 12,000
% over 50: 57%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $300,000

Most Americans know this town as the home of Pinehurst Resort, which contains one of the country's oldest and most prestigious golf courses. Yet it's also a friendly year-round community with a bustling downtown, firstrate regional hospital, and mild weather. Granted, at $300,000, the typical home in Pinehurst isn't rock-bottom cheap. But all residents are eligible for membership in the resort, which boasts eight golf courses, 24 tennis courts, three pools, and a 200- acre lake with a beach. If you buy a home from someone who already has a membership, you can pay $12,000 to join vs. $40,000 normally. -- By Sarah Max

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Next: Surprise, Ariz.

Surprise, Ariz.

Population: 91,000
% over 50: 43%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $150,000

This fast-growing community outside Phoenix is named after the hometown of the man who founded it in 1938, but Surprise could just as easily describe what people feel when they look at the real estate listings. "You can scoop up a great house for less than $100,000," says local agent Meredith Andrews. Locals can watch baseball at Surprise Stadium (the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers both do spring training here), cool off at the town's 10,500-square-foot aquatics center, and check out ancient petroglyphs at a nearby 30,000-acre park. Nearly 20% of residents live in Sun City Grand, a resort-like retirement community that offers reams of activities--tennis, golf, wine tasting, and more. (The original Sun City is a few miles down the road.) . -- By Sarah Max

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Next: Boulder City, Nev.

Boulder City, Nev.

Population: 14,900
% over 50: 49%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $315,000

What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, and that's fine with residents of this gambling-free town (a rarity in Nevada), who get all the benefits of living 20 miles from Sin City without having to constantly contend with the tourist set. Federal workers build Boulder City in the 1930s to house workers constructing the Hoover Dam just six miles away. The dam remains a major tourist attraction, and it created boat-friendly Lake Mead. In the summer, the thermometer regularly cracks three digits, but Boulder City residents get outside anyway. Local Bootleg Canyon offers a range of hiking and mountain biking trails, and a new zip line for the extra adventurous. The city has a variety of public recreation facilities, including two golf courses and a year-round pool and racquetball complex. -- By Beth Braverman

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Next: Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas

Population: 10,900
% over 50: 40%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $220,000

Retirees flock to Fredericksburg for its warm weather and the income tax-free living afforded by Texas. Outdoor recreation abounds in the multiple parks in Fredericksburg. The largest, the 150-acre Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, offers lake fishing, a 72-par golf course and an Olympic-size pool for swimming. The snaking roads and rolling hills throughout the region draw both bicyclists and motorcyclists. For urban adventures, residents can reach both San Antonio and Austin in less than an hour. -- By Beth Braverman

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Next: Savannah, Ga.

Savannah, Ga.

Population: 130,300
% over 50: 29%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $225,000

A stroll through the cobblestone streets in the historic downtown will take you past antebellum homes and 22 small public parks. Savannah's layout reflects the meticulous planning of founder James Oglethorpe in the early 18th century. Today, the refined city combines Old South charm, romance and history with New South energy and progressiveness. The prestigious Savannah College of Art & Design keeps the city young and has fostered a lively art scene. Art galleries throughout the city showcase both local and national talent, and residents can enroll in a range of SCAD Community Education classes. The bustling downtown also offers a host of shopping boutiques and quality restaurants. -- By Beth Braverman

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Next: Lakewood, Colo.

Lakewood, Colo.

Population: 140,300
% over 50: 36%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $230,000

Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, this Denver suburb attracts hikers keen to take on the peaks. But Lakewood residents don't need to go far to find outdoor adventure. Parks, trails and open space make up about a quarter of the town's acreage. The summit of the 6,800-foot Green Mountain is located in William Frederick Hayden Park, which with 2,400 acres of open space is only the second largest park in Lakewood. The biggest is Bear Creek Lake Park, offering mountain biking and horseback riding along with sailing in its 2,500-some acres. Retirees enjoy a range of art and culture opportunities, from outdoor theater and music performances at the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Amphitheater to indoor performances and art classes at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Annual festivals include the Lawn Chairs & Lemonade social; the Chile Harvest Festival; and Cider Days.
-- By Beth Braverman

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Next: Philadelphia, Pa.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Population: 1,449,600
% over 50: 31%
Typical 3-bedroom home: $375,000

The City of Brotherly Love has the same four seasons and northeastern sensibilities as New York, but it is smaller, a bit slower-paced and a whole lot more affordable. Philadelphia's small city blocks make it ideal for pedestrians, and Center City retirees have an array of shopping and dining options within walking distance. Culture abounds at the city's many museums and theaters. Pennsylvania doesn't tax retirement income such as pensions. Like many major cities, though, Philadelphia has higher crime rates than many on this list. -- By Beth Braverman

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