2025 Best Places to Retire: Top 10
1. Naples, Fla.
Naples takes the top spot due to strong scores across happiness, desirability, retiree taxes and job market, and moderate affordability scores. 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. Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping.
2. Virginia Beach, Va.
Despite Virginia Beach’s resort city status, its friendly residents and relaxed atmosphere have swayed many to take up a permanent residence in Virginia’s largest city. The glorious ocean views, beautiful waterfront homes and award-winning restaurants make this vacation destination a place worthy of being calling home.
3. New York City
Despite its lack of affordability, New York moved up from sixth in the 2024 rankings to the three spot this year. Some of the world’s best theaters, restaurants, museums, parks and cultural activities can be found here. New York City’s communities are as diverse as its people, from Greenwich Village in downtown to Harlem in uptown.
4. Sarasota, Fla.
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. This city of more than 55,000 people has a renowned opera house, a number of rooftop bars and the popular beach of Siesta Key nearby.
5. Boise, Idaho
The change in methodology seriously powered Boise up the rankings, moving all the way from the 80th spot in 2024 up to No. 5. If you value the outdoors and time spent among rivers, mountains, canyons, deserts and lakes—and all the activities encapsulated therein—it’s worth a serious look. Boise’s residents may spend their days enjoying nature, but they fill their evenings dining on locally sourced cuisine, enjoying an opera performance and sipping delicious cocktails.
6. Raleigh, N.C.
Raleigh, along with neighboring Durham and Chapel Hill, is known for research/technology roots and collegiate rivalries. This tri-city region known as the Triangle lures new residents every day with strong job growth and high quality of life. Raleigh also encompasses beautiful green spaces, family-friendly museums and a growing art and music scene defined by monthly gallery walks, summer concerts and music festivals like Hopscotch.
7. Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacksonville is the largest metro area by land mass in the continental U.S., and it offers a range of culturally and aesthetically diverse neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Sitting near the Atlantic shore in northeast Florida, Jacksonville is tied together by bridges, crossing rivers to unite residents in the downtown area with nearby beaches. Restaurants, shops and entertainment options fill all of Greater Jacksonville’s neighborhoods.
8. Huntsville, Ala.
Once a sleepy farming town, Huntsville gained national recognition during the Space Race of the 1960s and is now consistently among the fastest-growing metro areas in Alabama. Huntsville’s city center has undergone a renaissance in recent years. An outbreak of new construction downtown means more shopping, dining and apartment options are available.
9. Charlotte, N.C.
The city has a strong economic identity – it’s the second-largest banking hub in the U.S. behind New York City. Charlotte takes pride in its cityscape, defined by a handful of skyscrapers. But the city’s essence is perhaps better captured in its diverse neighborhoods and suburban areas, each of which has its own style and flair. Its geographical location, generally temperate weather, relative affordability and local culture are all draws to the Queen City.
10. Fort Wayne, Ind.
With its low cost of living and quiet neighborhoods, Fort Wayne residents have access to the amenities one might expect to find in a large metropolis, like entertainment options and a thriving arts scene. The city also has 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.
Next Page: Rest of the Top 25
