What makes a location ideal for retirement? Obviously, this is a deceptive question; there are as many answers as there are retirees. Others find winter sports to be the most energizing, while some adore golfing in the sun. There is a modern art enthusiast for every history aficionado and an adventurer for every homebody.
1. Catalina Foothills, Ariz
Catalina Foothills, situated against the Santa Catalina Mountains, is a picturesque, traditional retirement community with golf, sunsets, and spas. It is a mid-sized metropolis with a population of approximately 54,000 that is located just north of Tucson in Pima County.
Catalina Foothills offers a wide variety of outdoor activities owing to the region’s diverse terrain, which includes mountains, deserts, and canyons. More than one million people visit the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area each year to experience its natural grandeur. However, if you prefer to stay closer to home, you can visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
With a bit of driving, you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the universe, as Arizona is also home to the aerospace and astronomy industries. The Mount Lemmon Sky Center at the University of Arizona and the Pima Air & Space Museum are excellent destinations for visiting grandchildren.
La Encantada and other upscale retail destinations are also abundant in the area; for bargains, head to the Tucson Premium Outlets.
2. Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert City is the place to be if you have an appreciation for the arts and ideal weather.
Palm Desert City, located in the Coachella Valley, has a 54% population of people aged 50 and older, so there is an active older community waiting to be joined.
Sun City Palm Desert, a gated community with 9,000 residents over the age of 55 that offers a vast array of activities and classes (such as yoga, water aerobics, and cycling), the renowned Mountain Vista Golf Club, and over 1,000 acres with waterfalls, bocce courts, and jogging trails, is a standout.
If you’re not ready to commit to desert living full-time, you can become one of the thousands of “snowbirds” who migrate to Palm Desert each winter due to its 263 sunny days per year.
3. West Bloomfield, Mich
West Bloomfield, Michigan, is an idyllic location to consider if you envision spending your retirement overlooking tranquil shores and breathtaking vistas. There are so many lakes in the township that it has been nicknamed the “lake township of Oakland County.”
Cass Lake, the largest of Oakland County’s more than 358 lakes, is located on West Bloomfield’s northern border. The neighboring 139-acre Dodge State Park offers a variety of winter and summer activities. The public park, which features a picnic area, playground, and shoreline, is ideal for family gatherings because it is accessible to those with disabilities and pet-friendly. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, located within a half-hour’s drive, provide visitors with the opportunity to ride in a genuine Model T.
4. Northfield Township, Ill
Northfield Township, located only 25 miles north of Chicago, is a tranquil and picturesque community.
Northfield is filled with parks and outdoor golf clubs, giving it a true suburban atmosphere. A botanical garden, lagoons, and Lake Michigan are also nearby.
Those who prefer to spend their days immersed in nature can explore Northfield’s many nature preserves, such as Somme Woods, Chipilly Woods, and Sunset Ridge Woods. There, you can go hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or have a picnic with family and friends.
5. Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs City, Florida, provides an abundance of both sunshine and volunteer opportunities.
Bonita Springs, located in Lee County on the southwestern coast of Florida, is home to stunning natural areas such as Lovers Key State Park, a two-mile-long barrier island beach with walking trails, kayaking, and other activities.
Bonita Springs has a population of approximately 55,000, of which 57% are aged 50 or older. If you’re not a fan of the seaside, the city’s downtown is a hub of year-round community activities such as farmer’s markets, local concerts, and seasonal festivals.
Residents of Bonita Springs are generous, and philanthropy plays a significant role in the community’s culture. At the annual Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest, you can raise funds for a variety of charities or simply donate food to the Bonita Springs Assistance Center, which assists low-income senior citizens.
6. Minnetonka City, Minn
Minnetonka, Minnesota provides the optimal balance between nature and a major metropolitan area. You can stroll through the 73-acre Noerenberg Gardens or take a bike ride, hike, or horseback journey along the 63-mile Luce Line Trail, which is only 30 minutes away from Lake Minnetonka. The line was converted from a former railroad that traversed Minnesota in the early 1900s to nature trails.
Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka has all of your shopping and dining requirements. The mall has more than 100 stores, several restaurants with seating, and ample space for moderate exercise during inclement weather. On pleasant days, you can take advantage of Big Willow Park’s 95 acres and stroll along one of its simple trails. For those who enjoy spending a day or more exploring a vibrant city, Minneapolis is only a 20-minute drive away.
7. Georgetown City, Texas
It sounds like a movie set: charming town squares, fields of flowers, warm weather, and convenient access to a major city.
Everything in Georgetown City, Texas is genuine. Georgetown was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a result of its picture-perfect downtown and community of well-preserved Victorian houses, both of which were the result of revitalization efforts in the 1970s. It is also home to the oldest university in Texas, Southwestern University.
The city is renowned for its vast fields of crimson poppies. It annually hosts the Red Poppy Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors. Gardeners can even purchase poppy seeds at the Georgetown visitor center and cultivate their own flowers.
8. Clarkstown, N.Y
Want to retire in an area surrounded by nature without giving up the conveniences of a large city? Clarkstown, New York, is able to offer the best of both environments. Clarkstown, situated in Rockland County among numerous state parks, is approximately 30 miles from New York City.
A number of state parks, including Bear Mountain State Park, are in close proximity to avid hikers and nature enthusiasts. Here, you can, among other things, picnic, bike, fish, hike, and ice skate.
But it’s alright if you’re not an outdoor enthusiast. Clarkstown is close to Palisades Center, a retail, dining, and entertainment destination. The complex comprises a four-story shopping mall, fifteen restaurants, a bowling alley, an ice arena, and a comedy club.
Neither will history enthusiasts be disappointed: Tappan, New York is home to DeWint House, one of George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolutionary War. At Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, you can see the site of one of the war’s final northeastern conflicts.
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