10 best medium-size cities for seniors

Looking for that perfect retirement spot — not too large, not too small, but just right?

You might check out the stats on these 10 cities from Senior Advice, which looked at a range of factors that can make life more enjoyable — and more practical — for retirees.

Senior Advice looked at cities ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 in population, considering health and safety, recreation and leisure, finances and overall quality of life in determining which middle-size towns in the United States offered the best environments, and most amenities, to seniors.

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While some retirees’ focus might be on shopping, golf, the outdoors, cultural events, hanging out with like-minded contemporaries or going back to school, those are just some of the elements that make up a congenial retirement destination.

Others might be looking at more practical considerations, such as public transportation, the availability of senior living facilities, the number and quality of medical practitioners and facilities, the cost of living — including property taxes and the bill at the grocery store — and the crime rate.

Rest assured that these are just some of the factors that went into Senior Advice’s ratings, resulting in these 10 best medium-size cities for seniors: 

Located northwest of Tampa, Palm Harbor offers beach access and no fewer than 85 golf courses. (Photo: iStock)

10. Palm Harbor, Florida

One of two Florida cities that made the top 10, Palm Harbor boasts a substantial population of seniors already, with 37 percent of its residents having reached or passed their 65th birthdays. In addition, the city boasts some pretty impressive amenities: beach access, 10 parks in the area, and no fewer than 85 golf courses — many of which offer discounts and lessons to older duffers.

And for those looking for a carefree residence, there are 172 senior living facilities in the area — so no more worries about homeownership. 

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Located northwest of Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Maryland, offers access to the nation’s capital as well as many health care facilities. (Photo: iStock)

9. Bethesda, Maryland

Not only does this city offer the lure of the nearby Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian museums — all available via public transportation, its proximity to Baltimore means you can visit that city’s Inner Harbor easily and catch Orioles and Ravens games.

But if those attractions don’t float your boat, bear in mind that the area also boasts more than 1,000 churches of assorted denominations, as well as more than 200 assisted living facilities, plentiful home health care providers and a large number of Medicare physicians and area hospitals.

Related: The 10 best cities for seniors

Located west of Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas, offers low crime rates and it’s the location of the Kansas City Royals professional baseball team. (Photo: iStock)

8. Overland Park, Kansas

Thirty-five parks are among the attractions in this midwestern city — as are the Kansas City Royals, more than 100 gyms and more than 300 churches — all this in a city with low property and violent crime rates.

Then there are lots of senior living options at very reasonable prices, with average assisted living costs running $35,700 annually and nursing home costs that are low compared with national averages. 

Related: 10 of the best cities to retire in the U.S.

Located north of Detroit, Troy, Michigan, offers many parks and a high concentration of Medicare physicians. (Photo: iStock)

7. Troy, Michigan

If you’re a shopping fiend, you’ll enjoy the major malls in the area, but if you’re more into the outdoors, fear not — 30 area parks and 167 golf courses will give you plenty of chances to spend time outside. And that’s not even counting the Troy Museum or the Troy Historic Village.

When it comes to more mundane concerns, a very high concentration of Medicare physicians and several area hospitals will look after your health, while 300 senior living facilities and plentiful home health care providers will offer you choices when it comes to where and how to live.

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Located between Orlando and Sanford, Longwood, Florida, offers low-cost adult day care and home health care. (Photo: iStock)

6. Longwood, Florida

The second Florida city to make the list, Longwood boasts proximity to Orlando, the safety of a very low crime area and the dependable weather the state offers. And don’t forget that in addition to theme parks, the area also offers health clubs, movie theaters, grocery stores, malls and markets.