10 Best Places To Retire? Where?

And what do you look for when choosing a place to retire?

Is it affordable housing?

Plentiful leisure activities & cultural interests?

Job growth opportunities?

Sunny weather? Sandy beaches? Clean air & surroundings?

Tantalizing gourmet haven?

Easy commute system?

Fast & hassle-free health care access?

I think all of the above would be what you're looking for.

If you're pondering on a place to retire to, I would say go for a place with thriving economy that offers all or almost all of the above-mentioned "goodies" to make your retirement lifestyle relaxed and carefree.

I've researched and studied quite a few places that have the above-mentioned "goodies" and I think they can be good candidates for you to pick as one of your 10 best places to retire.

The list's not exhaustive though and you may have other preferred places.....

1. Sarasota, Florida

A famous Gulf Coast spot. It's home to some of the most splendid architectures you can imagine.

It's also famed for its more than 30 miles of beautiful beaches and a climate that's perfect for boating, water skiing, tennis and golf.

Nature lovers will bask in the fine ambience of pure white sands, exotic birds and plants.

Culture loving folks would love the operas, ballets and theatres here.

It isn't a big city but it sure has an urban feel, thanks to the first rate entertainment.

2. Ames, Iowa

It offers a real American midwest living. It's also home for big-name musical acts and touring theater groups.

It lures you with very affordable housing.

And low crime area too.

Life's quiet and calm here, just the way you might like it.

3. San Diego, California

If you treasure sunny weather and crisp sea air, San Diego is the place with beautiful weather and white, sandy beaches plus crisp clean air.

Want an active lifestyle (busy with seas and beaches)? The breathtaking beaches and the famed Balboa Park are a few of the places you can go to for play and entertainment.

This town reigns as one of the most competitive in the fields of electronics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

You need to spend a little on housing, though. San Diego doesn't come cheap.

4. Lawrence, Kansas

Lush surroundings and attractions such as shows at the Lied Center, an active community arts center and theater, a vibrant downtown and a longtime farmers market, are this town's alluring trademark.

Enough spots to go and activities for you to participate, if you yearn for an active past time.

5. Hot Springs, Arkansas

It's famed as a spa resort.

But what would also attract you is its low cost of living.

And it's a good bargain in terms of housing costs - for instance, a single-family house (from 1,600 to 2,100 square feet) averages $135,000 to $225,000.

6. Charleston, South Carolina

The south is one of the best places to retire to.

Charleston, in the south, is a lovely town where you get to enjoy lots of activities within a thriving economy.

It's been dubbed a historic, romantic and beautiful town.

But one snag - you got to put up with the summer heat.

7. Hanover, New Hamsphire

A colonial enclave famed for its cross-country skiing that's among the best you can find.

The town's also known for its ivy league living.

8. Anacortes, Washington

A haven for water lovers. Its crown jewel is Fidalgo Island, a hop, skip and a short sail to British Columbia.

It offers plenty of water-recreation activities like sailing, kayaking and power boating. You can also go for other things like golfing, camping, bird watching and beach combing.

It's historic downtown boasts specialty shops, antique stores and art galleries plus bed and breakfasts and gourmet restaurants.

9. Walla Walla, Washington

If you want a quiet lifestyle where people know one another, then this is the place for you.

You can escape the rat race and find peace and tranquility with its offer of bookstores and art galleries. The local colleges offer lots of activities such as lectures and classes for retirees.

And if you're used to big city prices, you'll get nice, affordable surprised bargains here.

10. Charlottesville, Virginia

This town's blessed with the rugged and picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and also a fine blend of colonialism and 18th-century ideals.

It would go down well with a relaxing retirement lifestyle: playing golf in serene surrounding; taking part in refreshing water sports; browsing through the book stores and antique shops.....

Take your pick among these top 10 best places to retire.

Or you've other places in mind?

Well, as long as the place has what you want, it's your best place to retire, I would say.

The most important thing - you must love the place and enjoy your life there.

Cecelia Yap is an avid exerciser and the owner of the successful fitness and exercise website: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com

Due to her strong yearning to retire early in life,she has also been researching on the subject of retirement. She shows you how she has turned her passion in exercise into a retirement nest egg: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/my-passion.html

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