Top 10 Places to Retire in the U.S.

When it’s time to retire, you may want to take your retirement gifts and consider moving somewhere less hectic.

You may want to move nearer your children or grandchildren. Or you may want to be amidst other retirees.

According to Money magazine, here are the top ten places to retire in the United States.

Even though the weather isn’t always sunny, you’ll find there’s so much to do around you. Some of the best doctors and hospitals are in Ann Arbor as are many art shows, spectator sports, theatre events, coffee houses, and tasty retirement cookies.

If you love sunshine, you’ll be right at home here. Ski, mountain climb, explore the architecture of old mining towns, or take a course on pirates.

Check out the Marshall Space Flight Center, the original NASA, soak up the architecture, stroll the botanical gardens and take up winter gardening or learn to Zydeco dance at the University of Alabama.

Florida retirement communities aren’t all the same. If you want sun and shopping and golf, you can do that all here. But you can also visit the Salvador Dali Museum, hear the Florida Orchestra, and see independent films at the Sunscreen Film Festival.

There’s lots to do in this university town. Seniors can study at the university and also catch a theatre performance, meander in one of the five parks, hear the philharmonic orchestra, or partake of the Shakespeare Festival.

This is one small city that you’ll instantly fall in love with. There’s a harbor scene with outdoor markets, lovely weather, and no income tax.

If you love Victorian houses and visiting lots of historic places, you’ll love it here.

You’ve got the ideal weather but yet you will still have four seasons. You'll also find that there are art shows, festivals, golf courses, and affordable housing to look forward to.

The beauty of the horse farms that sprawl on for miles is just one of the benefits of retiring in Lexington, Kentucky.

There are plenty of farmer’s markets and cultural events.

And, of course, there’s the gorgeous climate and the Kentucky Derby.

This New England state is full of adorable towns, and this one is no exception.

There’s no sales tax and there’s plenty of health care through Dartmouth college’s medical center.

No season is too extreme and there are plenty of golf courses and medical centers.

Duke University is there, where retirees can take life long learning courses.

There’s also lots of culture and the one of the biggest senior learning programs in the country.

No matter which one of these cities you choose to check out, you can’t go wrong. You don’t have to be limited to just sitting in the sun all day (unless you want to). Each of these cities is rich in culture, the arts, and lots of opportunities to further your knowledge and even earn an advanced degree.

Most places offer free programs for seniors, so you may even be able to do it without spending a dime on your education. It’s worth checking out alternatives to the traditional retirement spots.

You never know what you might discover that you like to do. And you’ll make plenty of new friends at the same time. Now when it's time to break it in, I'll bring the housewarming cookies!!