What are the top places to live in for boomers ages 50 and older looking for a great community to retire in? According to AARP The Magazine, the top five places to live in the U.S. are Atlanta, Ga.; Beacon Hill in Boston, Mass.; Chandler, Ariz.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Portland, Ore. The magazine also named the top four places to watch — Austin, Texas; Burlington, Vt.; Mankato, Minn.; and Traverse City, Mich.

The top cities were featured in the September/October issue of AARP The Magazine. The article takes an in-depth, colorful look at why these areas rank highest and are ideal for older residents. The selections were based on specific criteria for what makes a community livable: new urbanism, smart growth, mixed-use development and easy-living standards.

"The places we chose are ahead of the curve in providing services for empty nesters, active retirees, and everyone in between and we're thrilled to recognize them for their efforts," said Steve Sloan, editor of AARP The Magazine. "City living may cost a bit more, but urban communities also deliver peak value in the form of culture, work options, mass transit and fitness opportunities, and this year's selections really cover the spectrum."

AARP The Magazine's selections focus on livable community characteristics in each location including mass-transit systems so residents can drive less, expanded sidewalks to encourage walking, better health care, and a wide range of mixed use housing. These qualities attract members of the 50+ age group, a segment that spends more than $2.2 trillion on goods and services each year and is expected to grow in size by 32% in the next 15 years.

Check out the press release for more details. Or visit the AARP The Magazine's Web site. [Return to top]