If you’re looking for the best place to retire, US News & World Report says you should be heading to …
Lancaster, Pennsylvania!
Philly also makes the list, so scroll through these towns and descriptions from US News & World Report. The magazine analyzed data for the 150 largest metro areas in the US, including the happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates, and health care quality. Three of the top five cities in the study are in Pennsylvania, with Harrisburg being number two and York, PA coming in at five.
1. Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate. Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city. A short drive can take one through each of these environments. Each area boasts its own unique groups of inhabitants: farmers, families, college students and young professionals. From close-knit church communities to the indie coffee shop scene, Lancaster holds something for everyone.
2. Harrisburg, PA
The great outdoors are easily accessible in Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s capital. Bikers and runners take in the scenery of the Susquehanna River on the trails of Riverfront Park, which also hosts many of the metro area’s annual festivals and events. Residents also enjoy hiking the famous Appalachian Trail or camping and mountain biking in the many nearby state parks and forests.
3. Pensacola, FL
Bordering Escambia Bay and Pensacola Bay, the Pensacola metro area is a blend of history and nature. Native Americans have lived in this area for millennia, and the Spanish first arrived in the 16th century. Since then, the area has fallen under quite a few jurisdictions. Pensacola has been known as the “City of Five Flags” for the Spanish, French, British, Confederate and American governments that have laid claim to the region, and every year, it celebrates this diverse history with a 10-day fiesta.
4. Tampa, FL
Residents of the Tampa Bay area enjoy both a laid-back beach lifestyle and the amenities of a large metropolitan area, including professional sports teams, museums, and an array of entertainment and dining options.
5. York, PA
York, Pennsylvania, may not have a towering skyline, but when it comes to historical punching power, this small metro area (dubbed the White Rose City in reference to the symbol of England’s House of York)more than holds its own. The region’s bragging rights include being the onetime home of the Continental Congress, the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation and even the capital of the U.S. for a brief period.
6. Naples, FL
Nestled between the edges of the Everglades and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico sits Collier County, home to Naples, Immokalee and Marco Island, as well as a range of distinctly Florida flavors.
7. Daytona Beach, FL
The Daytona Beach population swells and wanes like the ocean tide. Every winter, the region’s beaches overflow with tourists looking to thaw after bearing the cold temperatures back home. Come summertime, the city feels empty by comparison.
8. Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor is a city of contrasts. It is at once rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society. It is best known as the home of the University of Michigan, and locals here enjoy all the trappings of a stereotypical Midwestern college town: a charming, historic main street lined with bookstores, gift shops and taverns; a healthy mix of longtime residents and shorter-term passers-through; and plentiful cultural destinations and events. At the same time, its proximity to reenergized Detroit, fast-growing startup scene, international community, spirit of inclusivity and high walkability give “Tree Town” a feel not unlike that of a much larger city. Aside from the university, excellent public schools, an increasingly diverse job market, a robust public parks system and low crime rates make Ann Arbor an attractive place to live for locals of all ages.
9. Allentown, PA
Why Allentown? Much of the charm in Pennsylvania’s third-largest metro area comes from its vast collection of historic homes and buildings, commercial structures and century-old industrial buildings. Architects have modernized and converted many closed mills and manufacturing buildings into apartments and lofts.
10. Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania’s history is steeped in innovation. The metro area is home to the real-life Reading Railroad from the Monopoly board game, along with glimpses into the Allegheny Aqueduct and a more than 100-year-old, seven-story pagodathat overlooks the bordering Reading Prong mountain formation. During the 19th century, people from all over the world were drawn to Reading by the promise of work in the thriving manufacturing and transportation industries. As a result, the region’s community is diverse.
11. Sarasota, FL
Sarasota has a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere and burgeoning food culture. People who choose Sarasota as their home are generally called by its unique charm. This metro area of just over 800,000 people has a renowned opera house, a number of rooftop bars and the popular beach of Siesta Key. What makes the region special is its duality – downtown Sarasota boasts resorts and fine dining,but strolling Siesta Key Village or St. Armands Circle offers a more intimate, seaside ambience.
12. Melbourne, FL
Troves of urbanites, families, professionals and retirees enjoy Melbourne, Florida, one of the Space Coast’s most populated metro areas. It’s no accident that residents here love anything that produces lift. On clear days, you can see sky-rumbling satellite launches and spacecrafts containing cargo en route to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral.
13. Lakeland, FL
Aptly named for its 38 stunning lakes, Lakeland is infused with Old Florida history and natural beauty. Remnants of Lakeland’s past, like Polk Theatre and Munn Park, remind residents of the metro area’s 19th-century roots. Meanwhile, dozens of parks allow Lakelanders to enjoy the beautiful Sunshine State weather.
14. New York, NY
New York City is a place written about in songs, it has served as the backdrop for countless movies and it’s inspired people worldwide with its grandiosity. Brimming with some of the nation’s tallest buildings and historic landmarks, New York City is never short on spectacle. For centuries, New York City has been a leader in trade and culture, redefining everything from fashion trends to what a proper bagel with schmear should taste like.
15. Fort Wayne, IN
With its low cost of living and quiet neighborhoods, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an excellent place to buy a house, start a career, launch a business and raise children. As a midsize metropolitan area in the heart of the Midwest, residents in Fort Wayne have access to the amenities one would expect to find in a large metropolis, like excellent entertainment options and a thriving arts scene. Residents also encounter quirky special events, such as the yearly BuskerFest devoted to street performers and the annual bed race that takes place during the Three Rivers Festival.
16. Ocala, FL
Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala maintains deep equestrian roots even as the area evolves into a diverse metropolitan community.
17. Scranton, PA
Scranton may be the sixth-largest city in Pennsylvania, but the close-knit neighborhoods that surround the vibrant downtown give Scranton its small-town appeal. The metro area owes its name to the Scranton family, who helped establish the region as an iron and steel capital back in the 19th and 20th centuries.
18. Manchester, NH
Surrounded by rolling mountain ranges and verdant forests, Manchester is the largest metropolitan area in New Hampshire and home to a number of college and university campuses, including the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University and Manchester Community College. The community feels young and vibrant, thanks to the large number of college students living here, and nearly a third of the area’s population over 25 years old holds a bachelor’s degree or higher.
19. PHILADELPHIA, PA!!!!
Philadelphia offers a unique setting for an eclectic mix of modern lifestyles, mingling both the edgy and the sophisticated. History and art are pervasive in the city proper. Walking through downtown, you’ll likely spot murals and mosaics coating the sides of industrial warehouses and ivy climbing the walls of 300-year-old brick buildings. Culture is well-established in Philly, too, as evidenced by the array of art galleries, music venues and theaters.
20. Pittsburgh, PA
Known by nicknames like Blitzburgh and Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying steel industry, Pittsburgh is earning another name: reinvention city. Since the steel mills closed in the 1980s, Pittsburgh feels cleaner and full of energy. Pittsburgh encompasses almost 2,000 acres of land in just its city parks and offers county parks, state parks and riverfront parks to its residents.
