For many, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. The coronavirus pandemic also helped many realize that time could be fleeting. About 2.
6 million more people than expected retired during the pandemic for various reasons, including health and safety and increases in asset value, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Still, deciding where to spend that precious time can be tough.
Stacker compiled a list of the 50 best places to retire in the United States, using 2024 data from Niche . Rankings were based on various factors, such as weather and health care access. You can read more about Niche’s methodology here .
A maximum of 10 places per state were included. Warm, sunny weather was the most common denominator among the best places to retire. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, Florida continues to dominate in popularity among retirees.
The California coast and the South—including South Carolina, Kentucky, and Georgia—have also grabbed many transplants’ attention along with desert areas like Arizona. For those who prefer a cooler climate, the Hudson River Valley, New River Gorge, and other East Coast locales offer great options. Options for recreation play another big role, especially top-ranked golf courses and tennis clubs.
Other top retirement destinations offer natural attractions, including trails for biking and walking and mountain settings for hiking and bird-watching. Many towns offer unique cultural and histor.