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Best cities for an active retirement

·Joseph Bien-Kahn

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While staring into the void of an inbox full of emails or a desk full of reports, it can be exciting to imagine that moment, years from now, when you can just veg out at home and watch Maury. But today's retirees just ain't like the ones we used to know. Today, 65 is the new 55, which means 75 is the new 65, and 85 is like 72, tops. That also means picking a city to be active in your retirement is more important than ever. Is it affordable? Is it walkable? How's the mahjong scene? Does it have water-aerobics weather?

The personal finance company SmartAsset provided data to help us rank the Top 50 Cities for an Active Retirement. In order to get the Stacker score, we considered the size of the senior population, the tax rate, the walkability score, the number of retirement communities, medical centers, and, of course, golf courses per resident. There's always time to watch The Young and the Restless, but these are the best cities in America for retirees to act young and restless themselves.   

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1 / 50

#50. Walnut Creek, CA

Index: 78.55
Seniors as Percent of Population: 27.5%
Tax Rate: 17.6%
Walk Score: 38
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.42
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.42
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.36

 

2 / 50

#49. Livonia, MI

Index: 78.84
Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.1%
Tax Rate: 15.5%
Walk Score: 34
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.13
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.1
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.5

 

3 / 50

#48. Scranton, PA

Index: 78.96
Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.8%
Tax Rate: 15.9%
Walk Score: 58
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.14
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.69
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.96

 

4 / 50

#47. Tampa, FL

Index: 79.08
Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.5%
Tax Rate: 15.6%
Walk Score: 49
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.2
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.61
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.91

 

5 / 50

#46. Frederick, MD

Index: 79.16
Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.6%
Tax Rate: 16.%
Walk Score: 44
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.12
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.5
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.29

 

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6 / 50

#45. Yakima, WA

Index: 79.25
Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.9%
Tax Rate: 16.6%
Walk Score: 50
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.28
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.37
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.65

 

7 / 50

#44. Cincinnati, OH

Index: 79.62
Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.4%
Tax Rate: 16.9%
Walk Score: 50
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.13
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.4
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.17

 

8 / 50

#42 (tie). Melbourne, FL

Index: 79.71
Seniors as Percent of Population: 21.9%
Tax Rate: 15.1%
Walk Score: 29
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.27
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.37
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.41

 

9 / 50

#42 (tie). Ann Arbor, MI

Index: 79.71
Seniors as Percent of Population: 10.8%
Tax Rate: 15.5%
Walk Score: 50
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.06
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 4.98
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.81

 

10 / 50

#41. Nashua, NH

Index: 79.91
Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.2%
Tax Rate: 9.9%
Walk Score: 37
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.15
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.3
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.86

 

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11 / 50

#40. Gresham, OR

Index: 80.64
Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 44
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.34
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.84
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 0.92

 

12 / 50

#39. Pasadena, CA

Index: 80.72
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.9%
Tax Rate: 18.1%
Walk Score: 66
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.2
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.41
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.52

 

13 / 50

#38. Chico, CA

Index: 80.92
Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.7%
Tax Rate: 16.7%
Walk Score: 45
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.11
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.77
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.36

 

14 / 50

#37. Kalamazoo, MI

Index: 81.16
Seniors as Percent of Population: 9.4%
Tax Rate: 15.5%
Walk Score: 43
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.23
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.76
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.93

 

16 / 50

#35. Camarillo, CA

Index: 81.56
Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.8%
Tax Rate: 16.7%
Walk Score: 41
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.24
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 6.44
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.24

 

17 / 50

#34. Hollywood, FL

Index: 81.82
Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.8%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 54
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.2
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.33
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 5.29

 

18 / 50

#33. Eugene, OR

Index: 82.02
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 44
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.34
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.06
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.16

 

19 / 50

#32. Reading, PA

Index: 82.57
Seniors as Percent of Population: 9.5%
Tax Rate: 15.9%
Walk Score: 74
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.2
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.89
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.54

 

20 / 50

#31. Santa Monica, CA

Index: 82.66
Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.1%
Tax Rate: 18.5%
Walk Score: 82
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.12
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.17
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 6.64

 

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21 / 50

#30. Billings, MT

Index: 82.72
Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.2%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 35
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.17
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 5.43
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.62

 

22 / 50

#29. Largo, FL

Index: 83.15
Seniors as Percent of Population: 24.3%
Tax Rate: 15.6%
Walk Score: 42
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.23
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.7
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.96

 

23 / 50

#28. Spokane, WA

Index: 84.80
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.2%
Tax Rate: 17.1%
Walk Score: 48
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.42
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.33
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.39

 

24 / 50

#27. Pittsburgh, PA

Index: 85.03
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.%
Tax Rate: 16.4%
Walk Score: 61
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.16
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.7
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.81

 

25 / 50

#26. Miami, FL

Index: 85.12
Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.%
Tax Rate: 15.6%
Walk Score: 78
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.45
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 0.65
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 8.22

 

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26 / 50

#25. Roanoke, VA

Index: 85.29
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.7%
Tax Rate: 14.5%
Walk Score: 41
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.21
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 1.99

 

27 / 50

#24. Bethlehem, PA

Index: 85.32
Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.6%
Tax Rate: 15.4%
Walk Score: 58
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.17
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.62
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.01

 

28 / 50

#23. Clearwater, FL

Index: 85.49
Seniors as Percent of Population: 21.3%
Tax Rate: 15.6%
Walk Score: 43
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.29
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.36
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.85

 

29 / 50

#22. Portland, OR

Index: 85.84
Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.3%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 64
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.44
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.84
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.44

 

31 / 50

#20. Schenectady, NY

Index: 86.47
Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.5%
Tax Rate: 16.5%
Walk Score: 65
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.14
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 1.84
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.18

 

32 / 50

#19. Delray Beach, FL

Index: 87.49
Seniors as Percent of Population: 24.7%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 39
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.11
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 12.82
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 5.54

 

33 / 50

#18. Fort Myers, FL

Index: 88.15
Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 38
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.28
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 9.58
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 6.7

 

34 / 50

#17. Bellingham, WA

Index: 88.38
Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.4%
Tax Rate: 17.1%
Walk Score: 48
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.22
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.39
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.05

 

35 / 50

#16. Bend, OR

Index: 88.99
Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.8%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 33
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.32
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 6.58
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.15

 

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36 / 50

#14 (tie). Boca Raton, FL

Index: 89.05
Seniors as Percent of Population: 22.6%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 40
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.11
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 7.94
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 8.85

 

37 / 50

#14 (tie). Medford, OR

Index: 89.05
Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.5%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 37
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.52
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 3.19
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.15

 

38 / 50

#13. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Index: 90.03
Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.3%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 58
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.36
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.2
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 10.94

 

39 / 50

#12. Miami Beach, FL

Index: 90.26
Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.9%
Tax Rate: 15.6%
Walk Score: 73
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.03
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.7
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 3.84

 

40 / 50

#11. Boynton Beach, FL

Index: 91.10
Seniors as Percent of Population: 21.2%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 36
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.15
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 6.44
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.56

 

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41 / 50

#10. Newport Beach, CA

Index: 91.45
Seniors as Percent of Population: 20.2%
Tax Rate: 17.2%
Walk Score: 46
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.13
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 5.49
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 6.75

 

42 / 50

#9. West Palm Beach, FL

Index: 93.79
Seniors as Percent of Population: 17.8%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 41
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.3
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 4.84
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 5.3

 

43 / 50

#8. Erie, PA

Index: 94.62
Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.4%
Tax Rate: 15.5%
Walk Score: 58
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.13
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 4.28
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.85

 

44 / 50

#7. Pompano Beach, FL

Index: 95.14
Seniors as Percent of Population: 19.5%
Tax Rate: 14.7%
Walk Score: 47
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.31
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 2.8
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 6.62

 

46 / 50

#5. Missoula, MT

Index: 95.43
Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.3%
Tax Rate: 13.4%
Walk Score: 45
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.19
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 5.4
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.99

 

47 / 50

#4. Bethesda, MD

Index: 96.45
Seniors as Percent of Population: 17.9%
Tax Rate: 16.%
Walk Score: 47
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.16
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 6.4
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.57

 

48 / 50

#3. Santa Barbara, CA

Index: 96.88
Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.7%
Tax Rate: 17.2%
Walk Score: 62
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.25
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 4.81
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 4.13

 

49 / 50

#2. Portland, ME

Index: 97.05
Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.8%
Tax Rate: 14.2%
Walk Score: 60
Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.17
Golf Courses per 100,000 Residents: 4.43
Medical Centers per 1,000 Residents: 2.59

 

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