The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012

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For North Carolina there is also the Bailey Act. I moved to North Carolina to be near the ocean and for the Bailey Act. The Bailey Act waives the state tax on your retirement if you are under CSRS and a few other Government employees. Check on line for full details to see if you qualify. For me I saved just over $575 a month on my retirement by moving to North Carolina.

Glenn Marshall of NC 7:02PM November 01, 2011

I tried to buy a home in Santa Fe four years ago and couldn't afford it even though I make over $100,000. Our real estate agent suggested Rio Rancho - a suburb of Albuquerque. We bought there instead! Santa Fe does not have "affordable" housing for regular people.

Dan of DC 9:17PM October 31, 2011

I'ma little confused. A place like Walnut Creek has a projected future job incomes of 28k-32- and the mid-house cost are $430k. Exactly how does that math work? I think the folks doing this article research are mis-guided if not bought and paid for.

Geff of FL 1:45PM October 28, 2011

Venice and Sarasota on the warm clear Gulf Coast of Florida or Mount Dora and Lake Mary just north of Orlando would be a warmer and cheaper bet than most on this list. Prices are cheap in FL now but are already starting to climb in some areas. Don't miss out. Drawback? FL summers can be 6-9 months long and always humid.

Ron Stack Author of FL 11:37AM October 28, 2011

Yikes, how could you leave out San Diego! Perfect weather year round, housing prices are way, way down.
It has the ocean, mountains, historic sites galore plus many times the educational and cultural activities of the other places you mentioned. Traveling is easier as direct flights are increasing from its expanding airport.
Bonus for retirees: San Diego has excellent medical facilities you won't find in the places this article mentions.

Andy Mallon of NY 1:33AM October 28, 2011

Boone, North Carolina also provides good access to nationally acclaimed medical facilities in Winston Salem, Wake Forest, Raleigh (Duke University ) and Charlotte, all within a couple of hours' drive as well as local wellness centers and a regional hospital that would benefit retirees.

Geraldine Sayles of NC 10:11AM October 26, 2011

The Villages, Florida is the best place.

Rich of FL 4:12PM October 25, 2011

Traverse City: Water Views on a Budget. Seriously? Maybe compared to Martha's Vineyard ... There's a saying in TC: "a view of the bay costs half of your pay." This writer is seriously out of touch with reality.

Mark Mowery of MI 11:33AM October 25, 2011

The retirees of today see retirement differently than "Fred and Ethyl" of the past did. Florida is not the default choice for most anymore. The ironic thing is that because of the recession Florida is extremely inexpensive and probably a better bargain than ever. Low home prices, no income tax and warm winters. After your scouting trip to Michigan in January doesn't work out, consider looking south. Of course to be fair, a trip to FL in August can be brutal too.

Author Ron Stack of PA 10:43AM October 25, 2011

Unfortunately, these choices do not reflect any information about the best financial choices for retirees. There are better retirement choices that take into account things like taxes on SS and investments, real estate taxes, income taxes, and other things.

beuce of MN 9:08AM October 25, 2011