The 10 Brainiest Places to Retire

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How could you ignore Claremont, California? Five undergraduate liberal arts colleges (all in the USNews top 50, and three in the top 15), two graduate schools, two theological seminaries, one Ph.D. granting botanical garden - and one of the most highly-educated populations in the nation. Enormously varied cultural attractions, many art galleries and art museums, rich and ambitious music and theater offerings -- and all this with a total population of about 35,000. Of course, there's also LA within 35 miles.

realist of CA 7:39PM September 24, 2008

I grew up in SD and love it still. BUT I still don't think it's a reasonable place to call "brainy." La Jolla, maybe. SD, no way. I'm still struggling with calling West Lafayette "brainy" though - even though I live here now. But I do love Purdue and all the great things I get to do on campus. Boiler up!

Linda of 3:35PM September 23, 2008

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june of AL 4:27AM September 13, 2008

Chapel Hill, North Carolina has all the advantages of a college town: intelligensia, medical and hospitals, continuing education for all, involvement with the state capitol 30 minutes up the road; proximity to Duke and farms and lands that have not changed in centuries. Yet it has a vibe that is unique in that it 50,000 residents commit to higher progressive ideals, including issues that impact the environment, social and human rights and youth education. Chapel Hill and neighboring Carrboro and Hillsborough enjoy a triple header: arts, history and preservation. All combined with PHd's, trees and lively conversations on streetside bistros. And its airport, RDU, is cheaper than usual to fly in and out of. And it's 6 hours from DC and Atlanta. Perfect! Not to mention 2 hours to the Atlantic.

Laurie Paolicelli of NC 7:16AM August 30, 2008

Reston is certainly an intellectually stimulating place. It is a picture-perfect community with several cultural and recreational attractions in addition to the upscale Reston Town Center. There are the tax subsidized activities of the wonderful Reston Community Center, where I have appeared on stage. We have a restored gristmill nearby, two golf courses, a nice zoo, a museum on New Town planning, many tennis courts, a bike path, walking trails, and about 20 public swimming pools. Wolf Trap Farm Park for the performing arts is only five miles away. Technically, Reston is not a town but a subdivision of Fairfax County. I've lived here since 1982 and love it. Northern Virginia has much else to offer, as well as the priceless treasures of Washington, DC.

Dennis O'Brien of VA 5:56PM August 05, 2008

In 1969 I quit work with no retirement and moved to St. Petersburg, FL because one could sail year round and because retired people could audit college classes at USF free and the honorary scientific fraternity Sigma Xi had an active chapter at another college. The town was in the process of trying to attract younger people, the museums were outstanding and the shopping excellent. The beaches and weather were enticing. I had searched over much of the world and most of the U. S. and do not regret my decision.

Henry R. Kreider of FL 9:59PM July 31, 2008

How can it be that no-one even contemplates going to the cradle of western civilization? Having lived in France for years I judge it is probably difficult to beat the sheer audacity of the French good life: raw intellect/culture in the city and raw pleasure in the countryside.
Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Amsterdam - hell, somewhere near Athens...
If you insist on Anglophonia, good old London takes some beating (even on prices!).
But some of the year has got to be in NYC - can't beat it for anything.
Don't get me wrong - Berkeley's great, and I hope my son follows my wife there - but there is a time warp issue, let's be honest.

Mark Runacres 12:49PM July 18, 2008

I still live in Berkeley for the last 20 years. This is my home and I found peace and intellectual stimulation every where I go. I'm 36 years old so I wasn't here when for all the excitement of the 60's but I was here when UCB tried to take people's park to build a basketball court. It was really nice to see people standing for what they believe are Right! I'm proud of the message it left me and even today I tried to do stand what I believe every where I go. I graduated as a woman minority in electrica engineering EECS'96. go Bears!!!Thanks!!

Patricia Durand of CA 10:05AM July 16, 2008

I was fortunate enough to live in Berkeley from 1965-1968 (between freedom forum and people's park). Which was good for me back then as I was pretty much apolitical. I arrived in the US barely 1 week before Kennedy was gunned down, and felt the sorrow of that time. But I was older than the average bear and concentrated on getting into medical school and pursuing a career in medicine (which I never did). I loved Berkeley, and, now in retirement - I would like nothing better than to spend winters in Berkeley and summers in my home town in Vermont.

Janw of VT 7:22PM July 15, 2008

I was fortunate enough to live in Berkeley from 1965-1968 (between freedom forum and people's park). Which was good for me back then as I was pretty much apolitical. I arrived in the US barely 1 week before Kennedy was gunned down, and felt the sorrow of that time. But I was older than the average bear and concentrated on getting into medical school and pursuing a career in medicine (which I never did). I loved Berkeley, and, now in retirement - I would like nothing better than to spend winters in Berkeley and summers in my home town in Vermont.

Janw of VT 7:22PM July 15, 2008