Best Places To Retire: Top College Towns

For more than a decade, retired Americans that are flocking to the culture and arts scenes and state-of-the-art medical facilities offered by college campuses. More institutions of higher learning are reaching out to retirees, promoting free or reduced-rate college courses, performances and lectures, according to a report last week by the Associated Press. Some have partnered with retirement residences in the area.

"People think seniors today are looking for sun and sand and not much else," Jill Lillie, director of marketing at The Village at Penn State, a continuing care residence in State College, Pa, told the Associated Press. "But boomers are focused on new challenges. They want to enrich their lives, write a new chapter."

For those post50s looking for an intellectual adventure and cultural hub, here are 10 ideas for people who want a college town haven. If your top pick isn't among this list, share it with us in the comments section!

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• Boise, Idaho

  Home of <a href="http://www.boisestate.edu/" target="_hplink">Boise State University</a>, Boise made number three on CNN Money's <a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/real_estate/1109/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/3.html" target="_hplink">"25 Best Places To Retire"</a> list for its cultural scene, <a href="http://www.realidaho.com/boise_area/weather/" target="_hplink">surprisingly moderate climate</a>, and access to outdoor activities. They also ranked it among their <a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/real_estate/1201/gallery.turnaround-housing-markets/6.html" target="_hplink">"Top 10 Turnaround Towns," economically</a> -- so it may be worth investing in as home values appreciate.

• Claremont, California

  Claremont offers <a href="http://www.ci.claremont.ca.us/seniors.cfm" target="_hplink">extensive senior services</a> including the "Claremont Avenues for Lifelong Learning" program, which allows 60+ residents to audit classes at the Claremont Colleges for free. And that sunny California climate isn't bad either.

• Fort Collins, Colorado

  Fort Collins, home of Colorado State University, boasts a "small town feeling with the big city attributes that baby boomers crave," says <a href="http://bestboomertowns.com/towns/fort_collins_colorado/" target="_hplink">bestboomertowns.com</a>. Natural attributes abound, too, for retirees who like to ski, or are at least willing to weather snowy winters.

• 'The Triangle' (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill)

  RealAge.com ranks the home of Duke, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University among its <a href="http://www.realage.com/anti-aging/25-best-cities-to-live-in-7#fbIndex8" target="_hplink">"25 Best Cities For Staying Young"</a> for its "lively, optimistic, and socially connected population." In 2010, the Carolinas overtook Florida and Arizona as the top places to retire, a Del Webb study found: <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/blog/great-towns/how-north-carolina-climbed-over-florida-as-favorite-retirement-state.html/" target="_hplink">Topretirements.com cites lower taxes and cost of living, mild climate and promixity to beaches, among other reasons</a>.

• Clemson, South Carolina

  Clemson, SC with its reasonably priced homes, large university, lakeside location, and proximity to mountains and waterfalls also boasts a newly constructed million-dollar <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/olli/" target="_hplink">Osher Life-Long Learning Institute</a>.

• Albuquerque, New Mexico

  Home of the <a href="http://www.unm.edu/" target="_hplink">University of New Mexico</a>, Albuquerque boasts great year-round climate: warm, dry and sunny. It's not as walkable as retirees might prefer, but for the boomer who wants to stay active you can't beat the Sandia Mountains, as <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/New_Mexico/Albuquerque.html" target="_hplink">Topretirements.com notes.</a>

• Ithaca, NY

  Ithaca, located on the shores of Cayuga Lake, New York, is home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College. The area is known for its <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/New_York/Ithaca.html" target="_hplink">many vineyards and farms</a> and is surrounded by rolling hills with pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. A <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/college-towns-draw-those-seeking-active-retirement-162816022.html" target="_hplink">recent partnership</a> between Ithaca College and a few nearby retirement communities to promote intergenerational learning has opened the doors for local seniors to audit classes and attend plays and concerts on campus.

• Princeton, NJ

  Princeton, New Jersey is a quaint and picturesque town <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/New_Jersey/Princeton.html" target="_hplink">featuring graceful streets</a>, first-class shopping and top-rated restaurants. If you can handle the high state taxes and housing prices, the cultural opportunities in Princeton are superb because of the university and its proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia. In 2005, CNN/Money <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2005/snapshots/40706.html" target="_hplink">rated Princeton 15th</a> on its list of the 100 best places to live in the U.S.

• Williamstown, MA

  Set in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, Williamstown, home to Williams College, is a <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Massachusetts/Williamstown.html" target="_hplink">delightful town</a> nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Williamstown is a sought-after retirement community for these reasons and for its extremely rich cultural environment. The famed Clark Art Institute, the Williams College Museum of Art, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival are all located in this cozy northeastern community.

• Asheville, NC

  The city of Asheville, North Carolina <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/college-towns-draw-those-seeking-active-retirement-162816022.html" target="_hplink">offers transplants</a> majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, relatively moderate temperatures year-round and first-class medical facilities. The University of North Carolina at Asheville was one of the first major schools to offer an on-campus center dedicated to making retirement a fulfilling stage of life: The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, founded in 1988, is <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/college-towns-draw-those-seeking-active-retirement-162816022.html" target="_hplink">consistently ranked</a> as one of the best facilities of its kind.

• Charlottesville, VA

  Charlottesville, Virginia, <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Virginia/Charlottesville.html" target="_hplink">is home to the stately and picturesque</a> University of Virginia, founded by President Thomas Jefferson. The town offers a tree-lined charm that, combined with its location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, makes it easy to see why so many active adults are planning to retire in Charlottesville.

• Ann Arbor, MI

  One of America's most famous college towns, Ann Arbor, Michigan <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Michigan/Ann_Arbor.html" target="_hplink">is home to world famous University of Michigan</a>. The city has strict zoning regulations that make life difficult for developers but result in an extremely pleasant small-town environment. Downtown Ann Arbor has music stores, sidewalk cafes, bars, bookstores, shops and an array of people from surrounding Michigan areas that descend on the town each weekend. For these reasons, many Midwesterners and University of Michigan alumni choose Ann Arbor as their retirement destination. (Just find friends to visit in the south when winter arrives.)

• Gainesville, FL

  Gainesville, Florida, home to the University of Florida, <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Florida/Gainesville.html" target="_hplink">has a reputation</a> for being an inexpensive, lively college town with a Southern charm and knack for attracting recent retirees. The University offers local seniors access to college classes, cultural opportunities and world-class medical facilities, as well as priority access to Gators football games.

• Eugene, OR

  Eugene, Oregon, home to the University of Oregon, <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Oregon/Eugene.html" target="_hplink">is famous for its extensive park system</a>, which includes many bike and running trails. Access to the Cascade Mountain range with its unlimited hiking, skiing and outdoor opportunities, as well as a thriving and eclectic arts scene, make Eugene a favored destination for retirees.

• Athens, GA

  Athens is a college<a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Georgia/Athens.html" target="_hplink"> town in the hills of northeastern Georgia</a>. Nearby University of Georgia has helped to create an unusually liberal community with a thriving artistic, literary, musical and intellectual scene. Athens consistently ranks among the nation's best towns for relocation and retirement, with new residents drawn to the moderate climate, convenience to Atlanta and world-class hospitals and medical facilities associated with the University.

• State College, PA

  State College, home to Penn State University, has long attracted retirees with <a href="http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Pennsylvania/State_College.html" target="_hplink">an abundance of shops, restaurants and cultural amenities in the area</a>. People over 55 comprise the fastest growing segment of the town's population and the Village at Penn State, a <a href="http://www.villageatpennstate.com/university-connection" target="_hplink">renowned continuing care residence</a> in the heart of State College, offers residents access to premium care as well as free admission to University classes and priority access to Penn State football games.

Comments

[bradhshickoh]

12:38 PM on 01/03/2012

With all the bad publicity it has received lately, I would definately pick State College Pa. I traveled Pennsylvania years ago. I always loved that town. It is so sad for the people who live there and make their living at the University to go thru this!!

[jparker782]

03:56 PM on 12/16/2011

[tazmodious]

02:33 PM on 12/16/2011

Thank goodness all the college towns I like aren't listed. Keep the Yuppie fru fru hordes away. They always want to change everything and turn all the the cheap and fun resturaunts and bars into over priced yuppie fru fru. Then they drive up price of everything else and make the city or town crack down on the unique celebrations that made these towns fun in the first place.

[NVEd]

08:35 AM on 12/16/2011

Only one I would ever consider is Eugene, OR.

[lis60]

12:51 AM on 12/16/2011

There are so many angry people on the Internet. They take a simple article like this and then start attacking and bringing in politics. I think you must watch way too much Fox if you think e every boomer is like the other.

[hidenout3]

08:15 AM on 12/16/2011

Either too much Fox or too much HP.....

[shelchak]

12:29 AM on 12/16/2011

Who makes up these lists??!?! Only two of these towns are not on the Eastern Seaboard, and only ONE is west of the Mississippi!!!! Do a little research, please -- we've got lots of places here out West that would be great -- e.g. Boise, ID; Tucson, AZ; Bozeman, Mt; Boulder, CO; Bellingham, WA.....

[sioux01721]

06:04 AM on 12/16/2011

Flagstaff AZ is a great little town and home of the University of Arizona.

[JBS]

08:29 AM on 12/16/2011

Northern Arizona University.

[atravelinturtle]

02:15 PM on 12/20/2011

Lived there many years. It's beautiful there with a diverse population. Housing is expensive and the elevation is a bit high for many seniors. Then there's the SNOW!

[Pennsanic]

08:08 AM on 12/16/2011

Did you bother to RTFA?

[StinkPickel]

11:17 PM on 12/15/2011

And so why is Santa Barbara, CA or San Diego not on this list?

[hidenout3]

08:19 AM on 12/16/2011

I lived in SB for 4 years, and I'll remember it as some of the best times of my life. Gorgeous city, mountains, plenty of outdoor activities, and nowhere is there better weather. Only thing is, it is unbelievably expensive.

Much easier to be poor and young, vs poor and old.

[KIVPossum]

09:57 PM on 12/15/2011

Stay away from Asheville, PLEASE sta away from Asheville. Used to be a great town. Now all the geriatric carpet baggers have jerked home pices sky high, and make the road treacherous as they drive their land yachts around in some pre-dementia state.

[JBS]

08:32 AM on 12/16/2011

I love Asheville. I've had family there since the 50s. But it undoubtedly has the highest cost of living of any city in North Carolina.

[Texas Aggie]

08:54 PM on 12/15/2011

"Nearby University of Georgia has helped to create an unusually liberal community "

I guess your definition of "liberal" is different from mine. Athens isn't liberal even by Southeast US standards, not by a long shot. They're still fighting the Civil War, and regard nonCaucasians as either good for playing football and basketball or cleaning the office and collecting trash. Even Texas A&M is more liberal than they are.

[ArtBaron]

08:43 PM on 12/15/2011

I will settle for any place that is as far away from republicans as possible.

[Pennsanic]

08:09 AM on 12/16/2011

Canada?
(-;

[ArtBaron]

08:29 AM on 12/16/2011

that works eh :)

[JBS]

08:33 AM on 12/16/2011

Tierra del Fuego

[suds mcduff]

01:46 PM on 12/19/2011

Check the blue counties in red states, like Austin Tx or Leon County in Fl...

[gene poole]

08:22 PM on 12/15/2011

That is one flattering photo of Asheville. I knew there was such a shot was possible there, but have never been able to capture it. Kudos.

[JBS]

08:47 AM on 12/16/2011

You have to climb up the north side of Beaucatcher cut. Park down at the bottom of Town Mountain Rd and walk east along the shoulder of I-240. You can walk right up the west slope of the exposed rock.

Search for this in Google Maps: 35.60033,-82.537672

There's a little free program you can download called "The Photographer's Ephemeris" that can show you graphically when the sun (or the moon) is going to be in the right position. It works with Adobe Air & Google Maps. There are versions for the iPhone & Android as well as PC & Mac.

HTH

[Exfl]

08:18 PM on 12/15/2011

Clemson, SC with its reasonably priced homes, large university, lakeside location, and proximity to mountains and waterfalls boasts a newly constructed million dollar Osher Life-Long Learning Institute. http://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/olli/

[smmrselysummers]

05:36 PM on 05/21/2012

love your mini bio.

[demisfine]

07:54 PM on 12/15/2011

I have two siblings in Princeton, neither is retired, but they both love living and working there.

[pepper1311]

02:44 AM on 12/16/2011

NJ? please

[Pennsanic]

08:10 AM on 12/16/2011

A lot of NJ is really pretty.

[Tom Gibson]

07:22 PM on 12/15/2011

Retire to Ithaca?

[martiniandabotoxchaser]

07:40 PM on 12/15/2011

Works if you can still shovel.

[Texas Aggie]

08:55 PM on 12/15/2011

And walk up and down hills. Buffalo St. is a bugger, especially when covered with slush or ice.

[AprilinDenver]

07:20 PM on 12/15/2011

I vote for Ft. Collins, Colorado!! It is often listed in Money magaziine's Best places to Live and Retire. Home of Colorado State University.

[Thomas Minot]

07:27 PM on 12/15/2011

Too damn cold.

[AprilinDenver]

08:07 PM on 12/15/2011

I'll let you in on a secret...the winters on the Front Range (not in mountains) are much much better than Princeton or Ithac --I havelived near both those places,. It doesn't snow that much and we have many days of sunshine.

[Hell Yeah Im Uhmercan]

12:22 AM on 12/16/2011

It's a long drive for a beach day too.

[SpreadthePanic]

08:45 AM on 12/16/2011

I just visited Ft. Collins last week and have to say I left with a desire to move there... cold weather and all