America’s 25 Best Cities For Retirement In 2014: Retirement-Friendly Destinations

If you’re looking for a retirement-friendly destination to spend your golden years, Forbes magazine has compiled a list of the 25 best cities in America to retire. So, what makes a city a retirement-friendly destinations ?

Which of these cities appeals to you most?

There are many factors to consider, from crime rates, air quality, weather, active-lifestyle, walkability, bicycling, volunteering, living costs, taxes, housing costs, and doctor availability. With that in mind, take a look at the 25 best U.S. cities to retire in 2014 (cities are listed in alphabetical order) — and let us know what you think in comments or tweet @ceoworld.

25. Venice, FL
Pros: Warm Gulf Coast climate, above average air quality, cost of living at national average, median home price $196,000, low crime.
Con: Low walkability rating.

24. Tucson, AZ
Pros: Warm climate, above-average air quality, cost of living 4% below national average, typical home price $172,000, abundant doctors per capita, high rank for bicycling and volunteering.
Con: High crime rate, so-so economy.

23. State College, PA
Pros: College town, good economy, average home price $259,000, low crime, high walkability rank.
Con: Cost of living 5% above national average.

22. San Angelo, TX
Pros: Warm climate, booming economy, cost of living 9% below national average, median home price $175,000.
Con: Low walkability rating.

21. Salt Lake City, UT
Pro: Moderate climate, above average air quality, terrific economy, cost of living 5% below national average, typical home price $226,000, abundant doctors per capita, high grades for bicycling, volunteering and walkability.
Con: High crime rate

20. Port Saint Lucie, FL
Pros: Warm coastal climate, above average air quality, cost of living 5% below national average, typical home price $140,000, low crime rate.
Con: So-so economy.

19. Pittsburgh, PA
Pros: Solid economy, average cost of living, typical home price $130,000, large number of doctors per capita, high ranks for volunteering, bicycling and walkability.
Cons: High crime rate, cold winters.

18. Oklahoma City, OK
Pros:  Good economy, cost of living 7% below national average, typical home price $161,000, good state tax climate, high volunteering rank.
Cons: high crime rate, sometimes violent weather.

17. Ogden, UT
Pros: Good economy, cost of living 12% below national average, median home price $124,000, good state tax climate, low crime, high volunteering rank.
Con: Low doctors per capita.

16. Morgantown, WV
Pros: College town (West Virginia University), good economy. cost of living 8% below national average, typical home price $185,000, good state tax environment, abundant doctors, good walkability rank.
Cons: Cold winters, below-average air quality.

15. Las Cruces, NM
Pros: College town (New Mexico State University), good economy, cost of living 8% below national average, median home price $176,000, good state tax environment, warm, dry climate.
Cons: Low doctors per capita, low walkability rank.

14. Fredericksburg, TX
Pros: Warm climate, above average air quality, cost of living 5% below national average, median home price $138,000, low crime, high walkability rank.

13. Fargo, ND
Pros: Gangbusters economy, cost of living 8% below national average, typical home price $165,000, abundant doctors per capita, above average air quality, high marks for bicycling and volunteering.
Con: Cold winters.

12. Clemson, SC
Pros: college town, warm climate, above-average air quality, cost of living about national average, typical home price $135,000, good state tax climate, low crime, high walkability rank.

11. Charleston, SC
Pros: Water frontage, warm climate,  robust economy, good state tax environment, cost of living about national average, typical home price $$228,000, low crime, high bicycling grade.
Con:  Low marks for volunteering.

10. Cape Coral, FL
Pros: Gulf of Mexico frontage, warm climate, above average air quality, cost of living at national average, median home price $165,000, low crime, high marks for volunteering.
Cons: So-so economy, low walkability rating.

9. Brevard, NC
Pros: scenic town amid waterfalls,  moderate climate, cost of living 3% below national average, typical home price $195,000, low crime, high walkability rating.

8. Bowling Green, KY
Pro: College town (Western Kentucky University), decent economy, cost of living 6% below national average, average home price $138,000, warm climate, low crime rate.
Con: Low walkability rank.

7. Boise, ID
Pros: Dry climate, good economy, cost of living about at national average, average home price $168,000, low crime, high rankings for walkability, bicycling and volunteering.
Cons: Cost of living 4% above national average.

6. Bluffton, SC
Pros: Scenic waters, warm climate, good state tax environment, average home price $197,000, low crime, highly walkable.
Cons: Cost of living 8% above national average.

5. Blacksburg, VA
Pros: College town (Virginia Tech), strong economy, cost of living 7% below national average, average home price $210,000, mild climate, low crime.

4. Bellingham, WA
Pros: College town, good economy, average home price $266,000, above-average air quality, low crime, highly walkable.
Cons: Cost of living 9% above national average,  poor state tax climate.

3. Austin, TX
Pros: Terrific economy, warm weather, cost of living at about national average, low crime, high grades for bicycling and volunteering.
Con: Average home price, $225,000, above national average.

2. Auburn, AL
Pros: College town,  good economy, toasty climate, cost of living 11% below national average, average home price $165,000, low crime.
Con: Few doctors per capita.

1. Abilene, TX
Pros: Robust economy, warm climate, cost of living 13% below national average, average home price $139,000 (national average: $207,000).
Con: Not very walkable.