The time has come to ponder retirement, but your lifestyle is still as active as ever. Your health is good, and your hobbies are still intact. Sure, you catch the occasional nap now and again, but otherwise, it is full steam ahead. You hear your friends talk about retiring to the country, but it doesn’t make sense to you. The restaurants you love, the community theater you support, and the activities you enjoy are all in an urban setting! Why would you want to move someplace to hear the crickets chirp? There’s an app for that on your phone! Friend, Gildshire’s Guide to Retirement in a Larger City is written for you. These are the cities with populations of 250,000 or more that may appeal to you when the retirement bell rings. Let’s see if these cities are calling your name.
San Antonio, Texas, population 1.493 million.
We began this three-part series with a discussion of cold bones. They will not be an issue in San Antonio. The climate is warm, and the welcome you’ll receive in this town even warmer. San Antonio is one of the friendliest cities that Gildshire has visited in the southwest. Perhaps it is the cost of living that is 3% below the national average that makes folks so welcoming. Or, your neighbors enjoy life without a state income tax. Whatever the reason, San Antonio’s popularity with seniors is a growing trend.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, population 302,407.
If a few hills don’t daunt you, Pittsburgh (pictured above) could be your city. The views are impressive in The City of Bridges, almost in any direction you look. Pittsburgh’s cost of living index of ninety-four (100 is the national average) is equally impressive in its own way. This is a city dedicated to its walkers and bikers providing plenty of space for each. Several medical centers provide the care that seniors need, as well.
Lexington, Kentucky, population 321,959.
A road meanders through the tree-topped hills just outside Lexington.
Finding a large city where home prices are 27% below the national average is a treat, but finding such a city with charm and beauty is special! Lexington’s spot in the heart of horse country is a plus for those inclined to the equine life, and the serious crime rate is low. In a state where the cost of living is low almost everywhere, Lexington residents do not pay a premium for living in the city. The COL is 5% below the national average.
Charlotte, North Carolina, population 859,035.
Two cities in America are self-crowned “The Queen City,” but Charlotte has the southern charm to pull it off. That said, this is neither a sleepy nor backward town. Charlotte is a bustling banking center with a strong economy and a pleasant climate. The cost of living is a tick or two above the national average, but home prices are a full 10% lower than the median. For racing buffs, Charlotte is home to several NASCAR teams and is a hub of racing activity 12 months a year.
This completes our examination of retirement cities, and we said at the outset that our series would reveal good choices. Actually, whether it be a small town, medium-sized city, or retirement in a larger city, Gildshire suspects you found more than one.
