Forbes screened more than 800 locales in the U.S. for everything from climate change risk to crime to availability of doctors. We then compared those that made the cut for what they offered in leisure pursuits—from the arts, fine dining and learning to hiking, skiing, watersports and golf. Here are the top 25.
by William P. Barrett, Contributor
Terry and Al Hershey can afford to live anywhere they please after their successful careers—she in the corporate offices of Time Warner, he running businesses in medical device manufacturing and contract research and development. So, when they loaded up their 34-foot RV at their Bonita Springs, Florida home and hit the road to scout a second retirement locale, they headed to what might sound like a surprising place: Traverse City, Michigan, a small town (population 16,000) 250 miles northwest of Detroit, that sits on a bay opening to Lake Michigan. In 2021, the Hersheys moved into a 132-year-old, 5-bedroom Victorian three blocks from Grand Traverse Bay, where they spend six months a year with their goldendoodle and Aussiedoodle. Now both 76, they hike, bike, kayak and motorboat and can choose from scores of musical performances a year at the nearby Interlochen Center for the Arts and by the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. “We wanted a summer base,” Terry explains. Why not spend all year in Traverse City? They don’t mind the cold (they lived for many years in Colorado), but find the lack of sunshine during the winters in Traverse City too dreary, she says.
It’s a nice problem to have. Those affluent Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who have plenty saved for retirement still need to plan—if they’re to make the most out of what could be decades of leisure. One approach is to move to a place (or a couple of places) that fit their interests. That’s what John and Terry Fish did this year when they moved to Bend, Oregon, a growing town of 107,000, known for its outdoors lifestyle. Back in 2019, after John, now 57, and Teri, now 53, took early retirement, they moved from Washington D.C. (where he was a lobbyist, and she a Congressional staffer) to Sullivan’s Island, S.C., across the harbor from Charleston. Why another retirement move now? “We were ready for a new adventure,” John says. Neither the Fishes nor the Hersheys have children, which adds to the freedom they feel to move anywhere they like.
Except these couples aren’t going just anywhere. Traverse City, Bend and yes, Charleston, too, are all on Forbes’ list of 25 Best Places To Enjoy Your Retirement In 2023. This is the seventh time we’ve produced this list, which identifies great places to pursue seven distinct passions: arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, volunteering, outdoor activities on water, outdoor activities on land, and golf. All 25 of our picks are below, in alphabetical order.
In contrast to our annual Best Places To Retire list, which features 25 sites offering great retirement living at an affordable price, neither high living costs nor high taxes disqualify candidates from this passion-centric list. But we do note those costs on each place profile, and if you’re on a limited budget, keep reading. Five of our 25 passion picks, spread across the U.S., have a median house price below the national median: Fayetteville, Arkansas; Iowa City, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to leisure activities, we consider a variety of quality-of-life metrics, ranging from air quality and availability of primary care doctors to serious crime and a town’s walkability. One disqualifier: a very high susceptibility to climate change and natural hazards as measured by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index, which looks at 18 natural hazard risks (including heat, wildfires and hurricanes), plus communities’ preparation to deal with them. That’s a big reason no Florida towns are on this year’s list and why New York City and Los Angeles didn’t make the cut, either. But you don’t have to swear off city life: Austin, Texas and Seattle are both on the list for all seven passions. Boston makes the list with six.
As for Traverse City, it has the smallest population of all 25 picks. In addition to being great for outdoor activities and golf, it punches way above its flyweight culturally and also offers the fine dining that’s characteristic of a live performance mecca. Our selections are geographically diverse, spread across 17 states and for the first time, with the addition of Honolulu, five time zones. While most of our choices excel in multiple areas, Flagstaff, Arizona, is listed only for outdoor land activities (including skiing and hiking), while Pinehurst, North Carolina, has made the list every year, solely for its status as a golf capital.
You can read more about our methodology, how to find your own retirement bliss, and how three couples are finding theirs, here.
2023 categories
Arts/culture ???? | Fine dining ???? | Lifelong learning ???? | Volunteering ❤️ | Outdoor water activities ⛵ | Outdoor land activities ???? | Golf ⛳
Annapolis, Maryland ⛵ ❤️
Annapolis, Maryland
Denis Tangney/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for outdoors water activities and volunteering
POPULATION: 41,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $570,000, 40% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 22% above national average
This water-flanked state capital 30 miles east of Washington, D.C., on the Chesapeake Bay, is home to the U.S. Naval Academy and a haven for boaters of all varieties—from kayakers to sailors to powerboaters. On top of a strong volunteering culture, Annapolis has a generally agreeable climate, good air quality, adequate physicians and a favorable FEMA rating for natural hazard and climate change risk. At an elevation of 40 feet, the city is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Drawbacks include an above-average serious crime rate; both a state inheritance and state estate tax; and a combined state and local income tax rate topping 8%. However, Social Security benefits, plus $34,300 per person in certain pension payments and retirement withdrawals, are tax exempt.
Asheville, North Carolina ????❤️⛵????
Asheville, North Carolina
Pawel Gaul/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, outdoor water and land activities, and volunteering
POPULATION: 99,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $451,000, 11% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 6% above national average
This attractive city, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, offers an inviting mix of indoor arts/culture and outdoor opportunities, including varied hiking terrain and whitewater paddling. Air quality is good. An elevation of 2,100 feet makes even summers bearable. The city is somewhat bikeable, although not all that walkable. There is a high rate of volunteering. Primary care physicians per capita are considerably above the national average. Asheville is at moderate risk for natural hazards. The serious crime rate is above the national average. The state income tax rate is a flat 4.75%, but Social Security income is exempt and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Austin, Texas ????????????❤️⛵????⛳
Austin, Texas
Dutcher Aerials/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, outdoor water and land activities, golf and volunteering
POPULATION: 980,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $557,000, 37% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 29% above national average
The buzzy capital of the Lone Star State clicks with all the leisure passions we evaluate. There’s a large music and dining scene, plus free senior citizen tuition for six credits a semester at the University of Texas at Austin, rated #31 on Forbes’ Top Colleges list. Outdoor water and land activities abound, including dozens of nearby golf courses. The city boasts a solid number of primary care physicians per capita, good air quality and high marks for volunteering. Austin is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Climate is warm but pleasant. Elevation is 300 feet. There is no state income or estate tax. The downside: Austin has a relatively high (but not very high) risk for natural hazards and a serious crime rate above the national average.
Bend, Oregon ⛵????⛳
Bend, Oregon
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PASSIONS: Great for outdoor water and land activities, and golf
POPULATION: 107,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $724,000, 78% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 31% above national average
This outdoor playland 160 miles southeast of Portland offers a lot of action. Activities along the north-flowing Deschutes River include downhill and cross-country skiing, fishing, tubing, hiking, rock climbing, bicycling, paragliding and, except in the dead of winter, golf on nearly two dozen nearby courses. Other pluses include good air quality, a low serious crime rate, a high number of doctors per capita and a low natural hazards risk rating. At an elevation of 3,600 feet, the town is bikeable but not all that walkable. Oregon has no sales tax but compensates for that with an income tax rate that hits 8.75% at just $18,400 of income for joint filers (with Social Security excluded) and tops out at 9.9% for taxable income above $250,000. There is also a state estate tax.
Boise, Idaho ????⛵????⛳
Boise, Idaho
4kodiak/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for lifelong learning, outdoor water and land activities, and golf
POPULATION: 242,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $473,000, 16% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 17% above national average
Idaho’s capital city enjoys a surprisingly moderate climate conducive to outdoor activities, while Boise State University offers discounted tuition for seniors. Other appealing attributes include a high number of physicians per capita, a low serious crime rate and good air quality. At an elevation of 2,700 feet, the city is very bikeable, though not as walkable. FEMA ranks Boise relatively low in natural hazard risk. Idaho’s flat state income tax rate is 5.8%, starting at $5,000 of income for married couples. But there is no state income tax on Social Security benefits and no state estate or inheritance tax.
Boone, North Carolina ????⛵????⛳
Boone, North Carolina
Ben Roberts Photography/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for lifelong learning, outdoor water and land activities, and golf
POPULATION: 21,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $449,000, 10% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 3% below national average
This mountain town 120 miles northwest of Charlotte offers a lot for the outdoors inclined. Activities include hiking, caving, canoeing, whitewater rafting, fishing, snow skiing, snowboarding and golfing at 17 courses in the area. Indoors, retirees can audit courses for free at Appalachian State University. Elevation is 3,333 feet. Pros include good air quality, an adequate number of doctors per capita and a low serious crime rate. Boone is somewhat walkable and very bikeable. Climate change/natural hazard risk is rated as relatively low by FEMA. The state income tax rate is a flat 4.75%, but Social Security income is exempt and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Boston, Massachusetts ????????????❤️⛵????
Boston, Massachusetts
Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, volunteering and outdoor water and land activities
POPULATION: 667,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $719,000, 77% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 53% above national average
This historic coastal state capital satisfies a number of passions, especially lifelong learning, with its more than 50 area colleges. Arts/culture and fine dining are considered tops and there are ample opportunities for outdoor water and land activities (except for golf). Boston has good air quality and abundant doctors per capita. Winters can be cold. Elevation is 140 feet. The city is both highly walkable and bikeable and gets high marks for volunteering. FEMA rates the natural hazards risk as moderate. The serious crime rate is above the national average. The state income tax rate is a flat 5% on income up to $1 million, and 9% above that. There’s no state income tax on Social Security earnings, but there is a state estate tax.
Boulder, Colorado ????????????❤️????
Boulder, Colorado
Fred Langer Photography/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, outdoor land activities and volunteering
POPULATION: 108,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $991,000, 143% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 68% above national average
At an elevation of 5,400 feet, this city 30 miles northwest of Denver sits amid a large recreational open space against the Rockies. Outdoor activities include hiking, climbing, biking and fishing. Boulder is home to the University of Colorado, which nurtures a big arts/culture and fine dining scene and allows seniors to audit courses at minimal cost. Boulder itself is very walkable and bikeable, with a low serious crime rate, good air quality, abundant doctors and a relatively low risk for natural hazards. Volunteering is a way of life. The state income tax is a flat 4.40%, but it now excludes Social Security benefits and up to $24,000 of other retirement income. There is no state estate or inheritance tax.
Charleston, South Carolina ????????????⛵⛳
Charleston, South Carolina
Daniela Duncan/GettyImages
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, outdoor water activities and golf
POPULATION: 159,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $520,000, 28% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 20% above national average
This historic coastal city offers lovely old homes, fine dining, a robust arts scene, outdoor water activities and golf (with 39 courses in the area). The College of Charleston exempts senior citizens from tuition. With an elevation of 20 feet, Charleston is moderately walkable and very bikeable. The city enjoys a high number of primary care doctors per capita and good air quality. Charleston has a relatively high (but not very high) risk for natural hazards, according to FEMA. The 6.5% state income tax rate kicks in for couples at just $16,040 of taxable income. But there’s no tax on Social Security benefits and $30,000 of retirement account/pension income for a couple is also exempt. There’s also no state estate or inheritance tax.
Eugene, Oregon ????????????⛵????
Eugene, Oregon
Greg Vaughn/VWPics/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, outdoor land and water activities
POPULATION: 178,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $475,000, 17% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 7% above national average
This outdoorsy college river town, 110 miles south of Portland, offers rafting, kayaking, and bicycling, running and walking trails. University of Oregon allows senior citizens to audit classes for free and contributes to the big local arts and dining scene. City is somewhat walkable, with good air quality and an above-average number of primary care physicians. FEMA rates the natural hazards risk as moderate. Elevation is 430 feet. Oregon has no sales tax but compensates for that with an income tax rate that hits 8.75% at just $18,400 of income for joint filers (with Social Security excluded) and tops out at 9.9% for taxable income above $250,000. There is also a state estate tax.
Fayetteville, Arkansas ????⛵????⛳
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for lifelong learning, outdoor land and water activities, and golf
POPULATION: 100,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $340,000, 16% below national median
COST OF LIVING: 8% below national average
In this Ozarks city 200 miles northwest of Little Rock, the University of Arkansas offers free tuition and fee waivers to senior citizens. The lush area has numerous parks and waterways conducive to hiking, fishing and boating, plus 21 golf courses. The city is very bikeable, but not so walkable. Elevation is 1,400 feet and air quality is good. The number of primary care physicians is average. Fayetteville has a moderate natural hazard risk. The serious crime rate is above the national average. The top state income tax rate is 4.7%, but there’s no state income tax on Social Security benefits, plus $12,000 per couple of other pension/retirement plan income is exempt. There’s also no state estate or inheritance tax.
Flagstaff, Arizona ????
Flagstaff, Arizona
Glenn van der Knijff/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for outdoor land activities
POPULATION: 77,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $629,000, 55% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 19% above national average
This Route 66 city sits 145 miles north of Phoenix, amid inviting scenery good for skiing, hiking, climbing and biking. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Flagstaff’s winters are cold, but the payoff comes in the summer, when, owing to a higher elevation, temperatures are considerably cooler than in Phoenix. The city is very bikeable, but not so walkable, has good air quality and an adequate number of primary care doctors. Downsides include a serious crime rate above the national average and a relatively high (but not very high) risk of natural hazards, according to FEMA. There’s a 2.5% flat state income tax. Social Security benefits are exempt and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Fort Collins, Colorado ????????
Fort Collins, Colorado
River North Photography/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for lifelong learning and outdoor land activities
POPULATION: 169,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $558,000, 37% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 17% above national average
Sitting 5,000 feet up at the base of the Rocky Mountains, this city 60 miles north of Denver is good for a variety of outdoor land activities. Colorado State University offers several ways senior citizens can attend classes for free. The city has a high number of primary care physicians per capita, good air quality and a low serious crime rate. Fort Collins is very bikeable, although not as walkable. FEMA gives it a middle-of-the-pack moderate natural hazard risk. The state income tax is a flat 4.40%, but it now excludes Social Security benefits and up to $24,000 of other retirement income. There is no state estate or inheritance tax.
Hilton Head, South Carolina ⛵????⛳
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Dennis Govoni/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for outdoor water and land activities, and golf
POPULATION: 38,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $723,000, 78% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 20% above national average
This Atlantic Ocean barrier island sits amid more than 60 golf courses and offers lots of other outdoor recreation on land and water, including hiking, fishing, kayaking and boating. Hilton Head has good air quality, an adequate number of primary care physicians and a low serious crime rate. The island is somewhat bikeable, but not all that walkable. Despite an elevation of just 10 feet, Hilton Head has a moderate FEMA rating for natural hazard risk. The 6.5% state income tax rate kicks in for couples at just $16,040 of taxable income. But there’s no tax on Social Security benefits and $30,000 of retirement account/pension income for a couple is also exempt. There’s also no estate or inheritance tax.
Honolulu, Hawaii ⛵????⛳
Honolulu, Hawaii
Stephen Hutchison/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for outdoor water and land activities and golf
POPULATION: 349,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $801,000, 97% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 69% above national average
Hawaii’s capital city anchors the scenic Pacific Ocean island of Oahu, with a wide range of water and land recreational opportunities, including 40 golf courses. The tropical town has a high ratio of primary care doctors per capita, good air quality, and a low serious crime rate. The city is highly walkable and bikeable. Honolulu has a relatively high (but not very high) risk rating for natural hazards from FEMA. For a joint return, the state income tax hits a stiff 8.25% on taxable income of $96,000, but Social Security benefits and all pension income are exempt from the tax. Hawaii’s state estate tax hits estates above $5.5 million at a 10% to 20% rate.
Iowa City, Iowa ????????
Iowa City, Iowa
Free Transform/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture and lifelong learning
POPULATION: 75,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $285,000, 30% below national median
COST OF LIVING: 13% below national average
University of Iowa provides numerous lifelong learning opportunities and acts as a catalyst for arts and cultural activities in this traditional college town, 115 miles east of Des Moines. There’s a high number of doctors, good air quality and a low serious crime rate. The city is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Elevation is 700 feet. FEMA gives Iowa City a favorable relatively low risk rating for climate change and natural hazards. State income tax tops out at 6% on joint return taxable income above $150,000, but Social Security benefits and all pension/retirement income are excluded from taxable income. There is a state inheritance tax.
Madison, Wisconsin ????????❤️⛵
Madison, Wisconsin
Silvia Li/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, lifelong learning, volunteering and outdoor water activities
POPULATION: 275,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $377,000, 7% below national median
COST OF LIVING: 1% above national average
University of Wisconsin-Madison is at the heart of this city’s appeal, offering a number of learning programs aimed at senior citizens in a lake-festooned state capital, 150 miles northwest of Chicago. The city has a terrific ratio of primary care physicians per capita, good air quality, a low serious crime rate and is very walkable and bikeable. Elevation is 900 feet. FEMA gives it a favorable relatively low rating for natural hazard risk. State income tax is 5.3% for typical joint filers but tops out at 7.65% on taxable joint income above $405,550. Social Security benefits are not taxed. There is no state estate or inheritance tax.
Pinehurst, North Carolina⛳
Pinehurst, North Carolina
David Cannon/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for golf
POPULATION: 21,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $471,000, 16% above national median
COST OF LIVING: At national average
Some 40 golf courses, anchored by the century-old Pinehurst Resort, distinguish this scenic village 90 miles east of Charlotte. The ratio of primary care doctors per capita is high, the air quality is good, and the serious crime rate is very low. Elevation is 560 feet. FEMA rates Pinehurst as having a relatively moderate natural hazard risk. The state income tax rate is a flat 4.75%, but Social Security income is exempt and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts ????????
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Rich Greene Photography/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture and outdoor land activities
POPULATION: 45,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $282,000, 31% below national median
COST OF LIVING: 12% below national average
A world-class summer arts/culture scene makes this old industrial city, 135 miles west of Boston and 40 miles southeast of Albany, N.Y., stand out. Nearby state parks, skiing and wildlife areas abound in the scenic but not-so-high Berkshire Mountains. The ratio of primary care doctors per capita is high, and there is good air quality. FEMA rates Pittsfield as having a very low risk for natural hazards. One downside: the serious crime rate is above the national average The state income tax rate is a flat 5% below $1 million, but 9% above that income. There’s no state income tax on Social Security earnings, but a state estate tax kicks in on estates over $1 million.
Portland, Maine????⛵????
Portland, Maine
D Walker44/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for fine dining, and outdoor water and land activities
POPULATION: 68,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $514,000, 26% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 12% above national average
Maine’s most populous city, 100 miles north of Boston, offers a wide variety of water and land recreation, including boating, kayaking, rafting, cross-country snow skiing, hiking and bicycling. The restaurant scene is terrific. There is a very high ratio of primary care doctors per capita, plus good air quality and a low serious crime rate. The city is very walkable and bikeable. Elevation is 60 feet. FEMA rates Portland as having a relatively low natural hazard risk. The Maine state income tax tops out at a hefty 7.15% on taxable income above $116,100 for a couple. But there is no state income tax on Social Security benefits and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Santa Fe, New Mexico ????????????
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Ken Glaser/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining and outdoor land activities
POPULATION: 88,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $567,000, 39% above the national median
COST OF LIVING: 14% above the national average
This four-century-old state capital mountain town, 60 miles north of Albuquerque, is laced with dozens of art galleries, fine restaurants and museums. It also offers world-class skiing and other outdoor land activities. Santa Fe has a high number of primary care doctors per capita, good air quality and a low serious crime rate. Elevation is 7,200 feet. The city is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Santa Fe has a favorable moderate natural hazard risk rating from FEMA. The state income tax rate for most couples is 4.875% on taxable income that excludes Social Security benefits—if, that is, a jointly filing couple has adjusted gross income below $150,000, and neither party is above $75,000. There is no state estate or inheritance tax.
Seattle, Washington ????????????❤️⛵????⛳
Seattle, Washington
Alaska Photography/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, lifelong learning, volunteering, outdoor water and land activities, and golf
POPULATION: 779,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $835,000, 105% above the national median
COST OF LIVING: 68% above the national average
This scenic isthmus in the Pacific Northwest, between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, offers a robust arts/culture scene, famous restaurants, and both an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington and an “elder audit” program at Seattle University. There’s a wide variety of outdoor activities available on water and on land, including 54 area golf courses. The city is extremely walkable and famously bikeable. Other attributes include good air quality and a high ratio of primary care doctors per capita. Elevation is 500 feet. Among the drawbacks: a serious crime rate above the national average and a relatively high (but not very high) natural hazard risk rating from FEMA. There is no state income tax, but a new 7% “excise tax” is imposed on capital gains topping $250,000 from investments excluding real estate. There’s also a hefty sales tax and a stiff estate tax.
Traverse City, Michigan ????????⛵⛳
Traverse City, Michigan
Deb Perry/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, fine dining, outdoor water activities and golf
POPULATION: 16,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $418,000, 3% above national median
COST OF LIVING: 3% below the national average
Some 250 miles northwest of Detroit, this center of tart cherry cultivation is near the famous Interlochen Center for the Arts, which hosts scores of yearly music performances. With frontage on an inlet of Lake Michigan, Traverse City has water sports, more than 30 area golf courses and a reputation as a top dining town. There’s good air quality and an above-average ratio of primary care doctors per capita. At an elevation of 600 feet, Traverse City has a very low natural hazard risk, according to FEMA. The serious crime rate is slightly above the national average. The state income tax rate is a flat 4.25%, but it excludes Social Security income and some pension income, and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Tucson, Arizona ????????????⛳
Tucson, Arizona
dszc/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for arts/culture, lifelong learning, outdoor land activities and golf
POPULATION: 552,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $323,000, 21% below national median
COST OF LIVING: 4% below national average
The University of Arizona provides a number of lifelong learning opportunities while supporting a robust arts/culture scene, just 70 miles from the Mexican border. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and mountains, Tucson offers hiking and other outdoor land activities, including more than 40 golf courses. There’s good air quality and an abundance of primary care doctors. At an elevation of 2,600 feet, Tucson is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Tucson has a relatively high (but not very high) natural hazard risk rating from FEMA. The serious crime rate is above the national average. Summers are hot, though a bit cooler than in Phoenix. There’s a 2.5% flat state income tax. Social Security benefits are exempt and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax.
Walla Walla, Washington????????
Walla Walla, Washington
Robert Holmes/Getty Images
PASSIONS: Great for fine dining and outdoor land activities
POPULATION: 34,000
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $405,000, at the national median
COST OF LIVING: 6% below national average
This pleasant rural town, 260 miles southeast of Seattle, boasts a surprisingly robust fine dining scene, fueled by 130 nearby wineries. The area is suitable for hiking and biking. There is a high ratio of primary care doctors per capita, plus good air quality and a low serious crime rate. The city is very bikeable and somewhat walkable. Elevation is 950 feet. FEMA rates the natural hazard risk in Walla Walla as relatively low. There is no state income tax, but a new 7% “excise tax” is imposed on capital gains topping $250,000—from investments excluding real estate. There’s also a hefty sales tax and a stiff estate tax.
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