If one is interested to know the top cities in the U.S. for retirement, one would come up with several sources. Since these sources used different criteria in their selection process, the result would also vary. For the sake of discussion, let us use the cities selected by the magazine AARP-The Magazine in their July-August 2006 issue. The magazine picked cities that are inexpensive to live in and evaluated several services like transportation, housing, and taxes.

 

            Las Cruces ranked top in the magazine’s list for its sunny weather, affordable taxes, and low cost housing. For senior citizens, there is the Munson Center which serves as a liaison between seniors and the local government, offers hot meals, educational and recreational classes, and a senior’s companion program. The city is also home to the New Mexico State University, and along with the Elderhostel and the Academy of Learning, provides a wide range of opportunities for continuing education. There are also plenty of outdoor recreation activities, like hiking and camping. The median housing price is $168,000, a far cry from that of nearby Santa Fe.

 

            Though housing in Rehoboth Beach is admittedly expensive, retirees still flock to this charming city for all its other perks, the foremost of which is living near the beach. Senior citizens can also take advantage of the state’s low property tax, with no tax on food, entertainment, and goods. The city itself is just about one square mile, but its 1,500 plus full time residents love the opportunity of walking along the beach anytime they want, go to its numerous restaurants, and having to personally know the mayor and other local officials. What’s more, Social Security, railroad-retirement benefits and even out-of-state government pensions are exempted from income tax.

 

            Culture and housing are two of the greatest attractions of Memphis for retirees. It also has fairly affordable housing, with condominium units selling for an average $164, 940 in 2005. Retirees enjoy the city’s several parks, including the Memphis Botanic Gardens as well as its rich musical history. Of course, an added plus is the lack of state income tax on salaries, wages, Social Security, IRAs, and pension income.

 

            St. George is a city known for its fitness culture, which isn’t a surprise since the Zion National Park is nearby and the abundance of hiking trails within the locality. It also plays hosts to the St. George Marathon and the Huntsman World Senior Games. The city also boasts of low crime rate and excellent local governance. It is also enjoying a housing boom with increasing demand among elderly migrants.