25 Best Places To Retire

1. 25Best Places To Retire

2. Moving on in Life Retirement is a new phase of life, and, for many, a chance to consider new surroundings. Here is our new list of 25 top U.S. cities for retirement. Data we sifted included housing and living costs, taxes, weather and air quality, crime rates, doctor availability, and active-lifestyle rankings for walkability, bicycling and volunteering.

3. Abilene, TX Trivia: Founded as a railroad shipping town for cattle. Pros: Robust economy, warm climate, cost of living 13% below national average, average home price $139,000 (national average: $207,000). Con: Not very walkable.

4. Auburn, AL Trivia: Home of Auburn University. Pros: College town, good economy, toasty climate, cost of living 11% below national average, average home price $165,000, low crime. Con: Few doctors per capita.

5. Austin, TX Trivia: State capital, home of University of Texas. Pros: Terrific economy, warm weather, cost of living at about national average, low crime, high grades for bicycling and volunteering. Con: Average home price, $225,000, above national average.

6. Bellingham, WA Trivia: Scenic coastal home of Western Washington University, car ferry to Alaska. Pros: College town, good economy, average home price $266,000, above-average air quality, low crime, highly walkable. Cons: Cost of living 9% above national average, poor state tax climate.

7. Blacksburg, VA Trivia: Named two centuries ago for town's founder. Pros: College town (Virginia Tech), strong economy, cost of living 7% below national average, average home price $210,000, mild climate, low crime. Cons: None.

8. Bluffton, SC Trivia: Sits on a river bluff near the Atlantic Ocean. Pros: Scenic waters, warm climate, good state tax environment, average home price $197,000, low crime, highly walkable. Cons: Cost of living 8% above national average.

9. Boise, ID Trivia: State capital. Pros: Dry climate, good economy, cost of living about at national average, average home price $168,000, low crime, high rankings for walkability, bicycling and volunteering. Cons: Cost of living 4% above national average.

10. Bowling Green, KY Trivia: All Chevolet Corvettes are built here. Pro: College town (Western Kentucky University), decent economy, cost of living 6% below national average, average home price $138,000, warm climate, low crime rate. Con: Low walkability rank.

11. Brevard, NC Trivia: County seat of Transylvania County. Pros: scenic town amid waterfalls, moderate climate, cost of living 3% below national average, typical home price $195,000, low crime, high walkability rating. Cons: none.

12. Cape Coral, FL Trivia: Only a half-century old. Pros: Gulf of Mexico frontage, warm climate, above average air quality, cost of living at national average, median home price $165,000, low crime, high marks for volunteering.. Cons: So-so economy, low walkability rating.

13. Charleston, SC Trivia: Civil War started here. Pros: Water frontage, warm climate, robust economy, good state tax environment, cost of living about national average, typical home price $$228,000, low crime, high bicycling grade. Con: Low marks for volunteering.

14. Clemson, SC Trivia: Home of Clemson University. Pros: college town, warm climate, above-average air quality, cost of living about national average, typical home price $135,000, good state tax climate, low crime, high walkability rank. Cons: None.

15. Fargo, ND Trivia: Named for co-founder of Wells Fargo. Pros: Gangbusters economy, cost of living 8% below national average, typical home price $165,000, abundant doctors per capita, above average air quality, high marks for bicycling and volunteering. Con: Cold winters.

16. Fredericksburg, TX Trivia: Named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Pros: Warm climate, above average air quality, cost of living 5% below national average, median home price $138,000, low crime, high walkability rank. Cons: None.

17. Las Cruces, NM Trivia: 45 miles from Mexican border. Pros: College town (New Mexico State University), good economy, cost of living 8% below national average, median home price $176,000, good state tax environment, warm, dry climate. Cons: Low doctors per capita, low walkability rank.

18. Morgantown, WV Trivia: Home of unique people-mover transit system. Pros: College town (West Virginia University), good economy. cost of living 8% below national average, typical home price $185,000, good state tax environment, abundant doctors, good walkability rank. Cons: Cold winters, below-average air quality.

19. Ogden, UT Trivia: Major railroad hub. Pros: Good economy, cost of living 12% below national average, median home price $124,000, good state tax climate, low crime, high volunteering rank. Con: Low doctors per capita.

20. Oklahoma City, OK Trivia: Site of world's first parking meter. Pros: Good economy, cost of living 7% below national average, typical home price $161,000, good state tax climate, high volunteering rank. Cons: high crime rate, sometimes violent weather.

21. Pittsburgh, PA Trivia: Named for a British leader. Pros: Solid economy, average cost of living, typical home price $130,000, large number of doctors per capita, high ranks for volunteering, bicycling and walkability. Cons: High crime rate, cold winters.

22. Port Saint Lucie, FL Trivia: Begun as a real estate development. Pros: Warm coastal climate, above average air quality, cost of living 5% below national average, typical home price $140,000, low crime rate. Con: So-so economy.

23. Salt Lake City, UT Trivia: originally named Great Salt Lake City. Pro: Moderate climate, above average air quality, terrific economy, cost of living 5% below national average, typical home price $226,000, abundant doctors per capita, high grades for bicycling, volunteering and walkability. Con: High crime rate.

24. San Angelo, TX Trivia: Near the geographic center of Texas. Pros: Warm climate, booming economy, cost of living 9% below national average, median home price $175,000. Con: Low walkability rating.

25. State College, PA Trivia: home of Penn State. Pros: College town, good economy, average home price $259,000, low crime, high walkability rank. Con: Cost of living 5% above national average.

26. Tucson, AZ Trivia: nicknamed "The Old Pueblo". Pros: Warm climate, above-average air quality, cost of living 4% below national average, typical home price $172,000, abundant doctors per capita, high rank for bicycling and volunteering. Con: High crime rate, so-so economy.

27. Venice, FL Trivia: Known as "Shark's Tooth Capital of the World". Pros: Warm Gulf Coast climate, above average air quality, cost of living at national average, median home price $196,000, low crime. Con: Low walkability rating.