We want retirement to be one of the best periods of our lives. Work-free, comfortable and fun. Settling down in a spot that isn’t a good match certainly doesn’t fit into that equation.
So, we have some suggestions to steer you in the right direction.
The online bank SoFi recently released an analysis of the happiest metropolitan areas to retire in. It ranked the 200 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas on 13 factors relating to social life, finances and health. The information SoFi used to rank these areas came from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, Walk Score and Sperling’s Best Places.
Let’s see which metros landed themselves in the top spots.
10. Madison, Wisconsin
Total score: 55.13 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 84th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 5th
- Health category: 11th
Madison has a vibrant cultural scene that embraces the arts, food, beer and sports. Some annual events that celebrate these aspects of the town include Art Fair on the Square and Great Taste of the Midwest.
9. San Luis Obispo, California
Total score: 55.18 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 9th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 11th
- Health category: 41st
San Luis Obispo has lots to offer, especially for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can relax on beautiful beaches, surf, kayak and camp. Or for a more thrilling experience, they can dirt bike, ride their ATVs or go off-roading.
With its vineyards and farms, San Luis Obispo also has a strong food and wine scene.
8. San Jose, California
Total score: 55.52 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 5th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 113th
- Health category: 7th
Between museums, outdoor activities and historical attractions — there’s plenty to do in San Jose. Let’s not forget the wineries and breweries. Anyone looking for a slow day can also hit the greens on any of San Jose’s many golf courses.
7. Olympia, Washington
Total score: 56.46 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 32nd out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 1st
- Health category: 88th
The area around Olympia has an “eclectic” arts and music scene. Retirees can also enjoy a long list of outdoor activities that include hiking, water sports, golfing and boating.
You can check out the Capital Lakefair, too. It’s an annual five-day event that has been running since 1957 and is equipped with carnival rides, live entertainment, fireworks and more.
6. North Port, Florida
Total score: 56.77 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 4th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 37th
- Health category: 129th
One attraction here is the Warm Mineral Springs Park, offering year-round swimming. According to Visit Florida, the springs are said to have healing properties because of the water’s high mineral content.
Baseball fans can fill their free time here with some Major League Baseball action at North Port’s CoolToday Park, where the Atlanta Braves train in the spring.
5. Boulder, Colorado
Total score: 56.95 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 21st out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 16th
- Health category: 13th
Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado, Boulder is home to the University of Colorado Boulder. Its downtown is a lively area full of restaurants, craft breweries and street performers. During the warmer months, it also has a twice-weekly farmers market.
Nature lovers are likely to feel right at home with such a backdrop of natural beauty. Boulder County has 40,000 acres open to the public with more than 60 parks and 155 miles of hiking trails. Boulder Canyon is a popular place for scenic drives, fishing, rock climbing and, of course, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
4. Durham, North Carolina
Total score: 57.56 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 57th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 13th
- Health category: 2nd
Durham is home to famed Duke University and is known as a destination for higher education. You certainly don’t need to be a college student to enjoy this area, though. Anyone can enjoy the sports scene, as well as outdoor activities and gardens. If you want an indoorsy day, watch a Broadway production at the Durham Performing Arts Center or visit any of the area’s museums.
3. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Total score: 61.40 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 64th out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 14th
- Health category: 1st
Ann Arbor houses the University of Michigan and has a growing tech scene, but it’s also an artistic hub with three major annual art fairs that draw half a million visitors annually — including the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair that began in 1960. There’s also a scene for book lovers, with bookstores offering rare and vintage volumes. When locals aren’t taking in the arts, they also enjoy Michigan’s nature through its accessible forests, kayaking and fishing.
2. Naples, Florida
Total score: 61.43 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 2nd out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 18th
- Health category: 32nd
Naples is located on the Gulf Coast and is a good spot for those looking for high-end shopping and dining. There’s also a lot of opportunity for fishing, outdoor fun like kayaking and swamp walking in the Everglades.
1. Barnstable, Massachusetts
Total score: 62.05 out of 100 possible points
Rank in the:
- Social category: 1st out of 200 metro areas
- Financial category: 6th
- Health category: 120th
Barnstable is the largest town in Cape Cod and is made up of seven villages. It’s easy to travel the surrounding areas as well, with Barnstable hosting trains, planes, ferries and buses to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
There’s a large variety of food, and fresh seafood is readily accessible thanks to Barnstable’s location by the coast.
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