8/25/2020
These 10 Small Towns Are Perfect for All Retirees
Many Americans dream of living in a big, bustling city during adulthood, likely thanks to a booming economy and a plethora of opportunities. But retirees typically prefer a more laid back, relaxed environment during their golden years. It’s understandable that after years of hard work you’d want to settle down and forget all about the hustle and bustle of huge metropoles.
Inevitably, however, as cities expand their economy and as their quality of life increases, they attract more and more residents. Eventually, most small towns can fall into the same ‘trap’.
The key is finding a place small and cozy enough that still offers all the services, stores, and health care options that are important to you and your household. We’ve taken a look at 10 superb retirement destination candidates with more than 50,000 residents but less than 100,000 that could be perfect for you!
If you want to live in a smaller, comfortable city that has everything you need, read on!
Leander, Texas
Leander, Texas, could be the perfect retirement spot for those who want the coziness of a small but growing town while not located too far from a metropole. According to the Census Bureau data, Leander’s population has grown by 12% over the past year. In 2019, it boasted 62,608. This sort of influx points to a rise in opportunity for many people, meaning you don’t have to worry about life here stagnating.
As hinted at earlier, Austin is close by if you feel the need for a little diversity in your activities, but otherwise, there is plenty to do in Leander. Are you a fan of golf? Why not experience a round or two at the Crystal Falls Golf Club. If you prefer to explore the outdoors then we highly recommend the Texas Hill Country at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s also a great place for retirees in terms of events, as the city proudly organizes hikes, museum visits, river cruises, and wine tasting, among others, for those aged 55 or older.
For a great retirement destination look no further than the fastest-growing small city in the nation, Leander!
Apex, North Carolina
Over the past year, Alex, North Carolina has grown by at least 10%. Now, 59,300 people reside here and you could be one of them.
What makes Apex particularly enchanting, especially for former scholars, is the fact that it is a part of what is known as the Research Triangle area. You’ve got three major research universities just within reach: North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Because of this, Apex has seen a massive increase in opportunities and partnerships both between the three universities and private industries.
If you ever feel the need to stretch out a little, you can always visit nearby Raleigh for a little added spice to your activities. Not that you’ll grow tired or bored of Apex! Retirees like it for its walkability, so you can always go for a stroll and visit the recently renovates historic buildings from the 1800s.
PeakFest is a popular, annual fair that attracts big crowds for its fine arts, foods, and crafters, so make sure you’re always ready to attend!
Doral, Florida
If you want to settle down for a warm, winter-free retirement then Doral is another fast-growing city you might enjoy. In the past year, its population increased by 8% according to Census Bureau data.
Situated in the South of Florida and just 30 minutes away by car from Miami, Doral is a great home for retirees who prefer warmer climates and the convenience of living close to the Miami International Airport. If you plan on traveling the world then you never need to worry about long, uncomfortable rides to the airport, a hub for many international travels. Then there’s also the fact that Doral hosts the headquarters for the cruise operator Carnival Corporation.
Also, you’re never too far from a golf course here. Did you know that Florida has the most golf courses per capita in the nation? This is particularly great for seniors who want to stay active, fit, and healthy.
Finally, another reason retirees might appreciate living here is the fact that Florida has no state income tax, translating to more money in your pockets to spend on your hobbies.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Brenton, Arkansas is yet another beautiful retirement destination for seniors who are having a hard time letting go of certain comforts that smaller towns don’t typically offer. You can find everything you’d ever need here thanks to the city’s growing economy and quality of life.
In terms of fun activities, you can always walk, bike or hike through the 120-acre Ozark landscape.
In addition, make sure to visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, as admission is free, where you can view famous paintings by the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Roy Lichtenstein.
If you ever need a change of scenery, make sure to visit nearby Bella Vista, another popular retirement destination. Here you’ll find more than enough lakes and golf courses for all your favorite outdoor activities.
Bentonville has grown significantly over the past year, seeing a 7% growth in population. Now, according to the data, 54,909 live here. This is partly due to the fact that it’s home to the Walmart headquarters which helped boost the economy even further.
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown, Texas, has seen many layers of improvement to its economy and quality of life, partly due to being the home of the oldest higher education institution in Texas, the Southwestern University.
However, it’s much more than a college town. One of its most attractive features is a retirement community called Sun City Texas with more than 15,000 residents aged 55 and over. It’s, therefore, no wonder that Georgetown’s population has increased by 7%. Now you’ll have as many as 79,604 southern, friendly neighbors to brighten up your retirement days!
The hometown feeling is also something a lot of seniors living here love. On top of that, the city has a lovely town square that’s frequently taken up by events and festivals. But if you’re ever in the mood for a little trip, hop in a car and drive just 30 minutes away to Austin where you’ll find no shortage of barbecues and live music.
This historic city is also known for top-notch healthcare, boundless culture and as a place where neighbors become friends!
Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye, Arizona is yet another place that Retirees prefer to run off to in order to avoid winters. But beware! If you wish to live you should expect the heavy use of air conditioning in order to make it through the summer months. Still, we can’t help but feel that the desert climate and stunning backdrops are quite appealing.
Seniors will have plenty of opportunities to stay active with the help of a free Fitness in the Park program, provided by the city. You can work on your yoga, pilates and even Zumba if you’re bustling with energy. Furthermore, there’s the Rusty Spurs Social Softball Club which you should consider if you’re 50 or older! In terms of hiking trails, make sure to visit the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. It’s also an archeological site filled with desert flowers and petroglyphs.
Buckeye has grown by 7.1% over the past year, meaning that nowadays 79,620 people live here. Don’t forget that if you’re ever looking into a change of scenery, Phoenix is just 45 minutes away!
New Braunfels, Texas
You’ll find the charming city of New Braunfels, which has grown by 6.8%, between Austin and San Antonio. This might be a plus for those seniors who need to settle down in a quiet area but still prefer having a bigger city, or two, just out of reach. In 2019, the population was 90,209, according to the data from the Census Bureau.
It’s also an ideal location for seniors with grandchildren who wish to attract their families for more visits. The little ones won’t be able to resist a visit to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark or the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and Caverns. Worry not, you’ll also get senior discounts when you visit!
Another favorite activity among locals, not just seniors, is tubing down the Guadalupe and Comal rivers, especially during the warm summer months. Just don’t forget the bug repellent and you’re good to go!
New Braunfels was originally settled by German immigrants and even today the locals love to celebrate their heritage with several annual festivals. Wassailfest and Wurstfest are two of the biggest ones you can look forward to.
Redmond, Washington
It’s time to talk about a city ‘made’ for seniors who love milder climates. In Redmond, Washington, you can avoid both melting heats in the summer and freezing colds in the winter. It’s situated 15 miles away from Seattle, so you’re never far from a big city if you ever need it.
Those who like spending time outside, either just going for walks, hiking, biking, or taking their furry friends out will appreciate Redmon’s walkable nature. Cyclists especially have an extensive network of bike lanes to taken advantage of. There are also a number of hiking trails you can try out if you want to stay active during retirement!
For fans of boating, fishing and watersports make sure to pay Lake Sammamish a visit!
Between 2018 and 2019 the city’s population has grown by 7%, reaching 71,929 inhabitants. That may be thanks to the headquarters of Microsoft which attracts a lot of people for job opportunities. If you’re a bit of a techie yourself, you might just find your kind of people in Redmond.
Fort Myers, Florida
Florida, once more, proves to be one of the top retirement destinations in the U.S. For this pick we’re talking about Fort Myers, located along the Caloosahatchee River near Florida’s Gulf Coast. The city has seen a 6% boom population over the past year. Nowadays, as many as 87,103 people live here, and we can see why!
It’s a perfectly relaxing beach retirement spot, so it’s no wonder a lot of retirees have their eyes set on Fort Myers. In fact, a third of the population is over the age of 60! You’ll have no issues making friends your age with similar interests or joining local clubs or groups for your specific hobbies.
We should also mention that Fort Myers topped the U.S. News list of Best Places to Retire in 2020, so if you were ever on the fence, you should know that this is a fantastic spot to settle down.
It’s also incredibly affordable, so much so that seniors don’t typically have an issue finding great housing.
Lehi, Utah
Situated about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, Lehi is a great retirement destination for seniors who just can’t get enough of the mountainside. You’ll be surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, White Mountains and Oquirrh Mountains, while the city itself is located along the Jordan River. It’s great to live in a place where the Utah Lake is essentially in your back garden!
Lehi was originally settled by Mormons, so there’s great historical value to be found here wherever you look.
In terms of activities, you can enjoy mountain biking if you’re a fan of the extreme, hiking, fishing and biking, plus winter sports in the colder months of the year.
But if you’re in for more laid back experiences you can always visit the museum and garden complex Thanksgiving Point. It also provides other great opportunities such as golfing or even spa treatments!
So? Where do you plan to spend your retirement?