Who Knew? These 18 Cities Are Perfect for Your Golden Years
What are you looking forward to after working so hard throughout your life? Is it a peaceful and relaxing time with your family? Is it a retirement that includes a lot of traveling?
Retirement is the ultimate goal of every hardworking individual. Some prefer an adventurous retirement with adrenaline-filled activities, while others prefer a more laidback experience for their happily ever after.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect retirement paradise, we’ve listed some of the best cities that cater to the needs of different types of retirees. Here are several amazing cities to consider when planning your retirement.
1. Valencia, Spain
Living in Valencia promises sunny and relaxing days ahead. Consider this Mediterranean wonderland if you’re looking for a retirement destination with the perfect climate.
Parks and beaches are abundant in this city along with fun activities to do. If you love paella, you’ll also enjoy its culinary scene. It also has an efficient healthcare system that gives you peace of mind along with a lower cost of living compared to the U.S.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai offers an affordable cultural adventure you can enjoy as a retiree. Since it’s in Southeast Asia, the cost of living is significantly lower than in the U.S., but the healthcare facilities are comprehensive despite the low prices.
Take the streets to enjoy delicious local street foods like Khao Soi Khao Niao Mamuang (mango sticky rice) and walk around Doi Inthanon for a closer look at the country’s natural wonders.
3. Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is a city in Ecuador near the Andes Mountains that has a high-quality yet low cost of living. They offer quality healthcare services at prices that won’t shock you.
The city’s architecture brims with cultural diversity you won’t get tired of looking at every day. You’ll enjoy the joyful and curious locals and the warmth in the bustling markets and fun festivals.
4. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia’s Ljubljana offers lush greenery and colorful streets you can willingly get lost in. With a reasonable cost of living, you can enjoy peaceful days and belong to a supportive community.
The city has one of the world’s oldest philharmonic orchestras and a solid music society. If you’re into orchestras, theaters, and museums, Ljubljana delivers rich cultural activities and events to explore.
5. George Town, Malaysia
George Town on Penang Island is a cultural destination in Malaysia that’s perfect for retirees. The UNESCO World Heritage site takes pride in the aesthetics of its colonial architecture, especially along Armenian Street and Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi.
With a rich history to explore, the city also has a community with many English-speaking locals. It also provides quality healthcare services essential for retirees.
6. Porto, Portugal
Porto in Portugal is known for its old-world architecture and decadent port wine. If you love (port) wine, this city is the perfect candidate for your retirement paradise.
Besides the breathtaking views, the city welcomes foreigners and newcomers with open arms. Walk in rustic, historic streets filled with museums and azulejos (painted tiles).
7. Boise, Idaho
Idaho’s Boise is in the middle of stunning mountains, perfect for adventurous retirees who love to hike and walk along trails. It’s a retirement paradise for outdoor enthusiasts at a reasonable price tag.
Besides fun outdoor activities, the city also thrives in the arts and culinary industries. Taste the culinary specialties of Boise like finger steaks and Huckleberry milkshakes.
8. Louisville, Kentucky
If you have a weakness for bourbon, Louisville in Kentucky makes a perfect retirement paradise for you. It’s the city where the popular beverage was created in the 1780s. Enjoy a glass of this high-quality and well-aged drink to celebrate the end of your busy days.
Louisville has reasonably wild weather, when you live there, you can experience all four seasons in one week. Take daily walks in one of the city’s numerous parks, from the 730-acre Iroquois Park to the popular Waterfront Park.
9. Merida, Mexico
Yucatan Peninsula’s Merida provides a warm and vacation-like setting for retirees. Its expat community is also active and thriving, so you’ll feel right at home.
If you’re a history buff, explore the city’s ancient Mayan ruins or drive do the Puc route day trip, where you’ll find several Mayan ruins along the way. Have fun at Merida Fest and visit the white-stoned Paseo Montejo any time you want.
10. Asheville, North Carolina
You don’t need to leave the United States to have a peaceful retirement. Asheville in North Carolina can provide the laid-back lifestyle you can enjoy after years of bustling workdays.
Enjoy the relaxing ambiance offered by this mountain city, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Experience its rich culture and arts scene through the Rivers Arts District and Asheville Art Museum. Keep your body fit with mountaintop yoga sessions or go for lovely hikes on the weekend.
11. Medellin, Colombia
Colombia’s Medellin offers a relaxing, high-quality lifestyle that won’t require you to spend too much of your savings. “The City of Eternal Spring” got its moniker from its comfortable mild climate.
While it had a notorious reputation in the past, it’s now one of the safest and most modern Colombian cities to live in. With affordable healthcare, Medellin might be the retirement paradise you’re looking for.
12. Pau, France
Pau is popular for its magnificent scenic views, including the stunning green Pyrénées. With a low crime rate and cost of living, the city promises a safe paradise for retirees. It also offers high-quality healthcare, so you won’t have to worry about your health.
The French city is an outdoor masterpiece because it’s near the mountains and has a river right through the city. If you’re a nature enthusiast, you can enjoy easy access to activities like hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
13. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tennessee’s Chattanooga checks all the boxes for a well-balanced, urban, and modern city. This is a paradise for tech-savvy retirees because the city is the first Western city to offer 1 gigabit internet speed to the entire city.
If you need to be away from your screen, the Appalachian Mountains are there for you to explore. Aside from the mountains, you can visit well-known landmarks, like the Rock City Gardens or Lover’s Leap, where you can see seven states on a clear day.
14. Arequipa, Peru
White City Arequipa offers a feast for the eyes, as it shows architecture dominated by gorgeous white volcanic stones. Retiring in this Perivuan city offers an affordable cost of living surrounded by aesthetic scenes and natural wonders.
Arequipa takes pride in its rich history and culture. Visit the Arequipa Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas. Despite its small expat population, it grows steadily and welcomes those who want to be part of the community.
15. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic’s Santo Domingo offers attractive elements for retirees, including a low cost of living with cheaper housing and groceries. All these elements combined with stunning scenery make it a retirement paradise.
Santo Domingo is also rich in stunning beaches and historical sites. Walk along the cobblestone streets to enjoy the warm weather as you visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor and Alcazar de Colon.
16. Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota in Florida offers what many consider a typical retirement paradise. The city has hospitals with excellent facilities and attentive staff. Besides the practical aspects of retiring in Sarasota, the beaches are also world-class, and the weather is warm.
If you don’t want to stay under the sun, you can explore the city, visit the Ringling Museum of Art, or dine in one of their many high-rated restaurants.
17. Boquete, Panama
Panama’s Boquete is another retirement paradise to consider with its low cost of living and affordable real estate. Its healthcare system is also cheaper than most cities but high-quality, so you won’t need to worry about going broke with medical fees.
Boquete is known for its small coffee farms that produce excellent coffee. Enjoy the warmth of the supportive local community and delicious coffee throughout your retirement years.
18. Lecce, Italy
Lecce is one of the most underrated Italian cities. This town is found south of Florence, brimming with baroque architecture that adds to the old-world aesthetics of the city.
Enjoy daily walks under the warm Mediterranean sun along the beach of the Ionian and Adriatic seas. If you happen to feel unwell, don’t worry since the healthcare facilities are affordable and easy to access.
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