The 10 Sunniest Places to Retire

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If you can give up a large airport, the ocean, skiing, and the malls, then consider the "gentle 4 seasons" of Silver city, NM. It is a little mining town of about 10K where there is a university, WNMU, as well as an arts council and several galleries, coffee houses, a few fine innovative restaurants, a concert series, and many talented musicians and artists. Three semesters a year, the Western Institute of Life Long Learning (WILL) offers classes for 55+in many interesting subjects from NASA photographs to Gila Wilderness geology, from old films to history of the locale as well as the world. Language, arts and cooking classes are also offered. the newer residents are from larger cities and have achieved degrees and skilled careers.
The Gila Regional Medical Center is an astonishingly well-staffed and equipped hospital with a Planetree certification, meaning it is patient-centered.
The humidity can be as low as 4 in the dry time from May through June, but the summer monsoons arrive in July, through September, and offer afternoon cooling to this high desert community. Winters have a bit of snow, but the bright sun melts it rather quickly, giving the residents many opportunities to get outside to take in the National forests or the Big Sky views and dramatic sunsets across the desert.
What is the downside? Wind in the Spring and occasional forest fires. The closest large airports are about 3+ hours away, in Tucson and El Paso. Many residents drive off to Las Cruces or these larger cities for a get-away or to fly off to distant destinations. But, our local airport has daily flights to Albuquerque for those who rather not drive for hours. Also, there are no big stores other than Walmart and Albertson's. The main source of jobs is a the local copper mine and in the service sector. Many entrepreneurs have set up shops and studios, bringing their own work with them.
The towns are still "works in progress." Many buildings need repair and renovation. Some residents have bought up an inexpensive older house and transformed it into a showpiece, so there is promise that the area will continue to see upgrades.
Nevertheless, for those who can trade off some amenities for reasonable prices and the dry climate, this is a place to consider. New Mexico's "best kept secret" city has been the home of Billy the Kid, Geronimo, and the Buffalo Soldiers. Look it up.

Sharyn McDonald of NM 11:54PM June 09, 2012

I'm noticing that San Diego was not included on this list of sunniest places to retire. I thought I'd point out that the reason this might be the case is that all weather statistics for the region are based on data collected at the San Diego Airport - Lindberg Field. Since this airport is only a mile from the beach, the local weather is strongly influenced by the the coastal weather pattern, which is markedly different from the weather that most of San Diego experiences day in and day out. In fact, it is a well known adage that the months of May and June are particularly cloudy and foggy along the beaches (we call it "June Gloom"), but during this same period it is typically extremely sunny and warm just a few miles inland. For more on local weather in some of the sunnier and warmer regions of San Diego County it pays to visit sites like this for more details on local micro-climates: http://northcountyhomesandestates.com/fallbrook-community-overview-92028-92088/

Marla Cruickshank of CA 9:17PM May 17, 2012

Interesting - Florida bills itself as the Sunshine State, and before that New Mexico did - I've seen it on old NM license plates. As for Yuma - my mother attempted living there with my father who was stationed there during WWII. All she could talk about was the scorpions, the vinegaroons and the cockroaches the size of breadboxes.

Terry of NM 3:09PM April 18, 2012

There is a state in the US that is actually called the sunshine state. It's Florida and has been a top retirement destination forvever. Home prices dropped there by 60% during the bust but are starting to stabilize or rise in the best areas. The "Florida Move Guide" says summer can last nine months and crime is a problem is most of the large cities but there still are places that are beautiful, livable and now cheap.

R Stack of FL 7:45AM March 26, 2012

Why do you omit the Philippines? To me SUNNY Philippines is a retirement paradise. The reason that the Philippines the best is the following reasons: 1) It is one of the cheapest countries to visit and live. 2. More people speak English in the Philippines than any of the places that you mentioned. 3.It is a Bachelor's paradise as Philippines females there WANTS to marry Americans more than anywhere else. 4. Philippine was an American colony for almost 100 years, so Philippine people are familiar with Americans and like Americans. In fact most of the Philippine laws and government are based on the USA model. Thailand was my second choice, but Philippines wins out hands down.

bizbird6 of CA 4:42PM March 25, 2012

Just make sure when you're selecting a "sunny" place to retire that the "water" in the area is sufficient to justify living there. Many places in the Southwest that are drawing retirees and others are facing serious water issues, which won't diminish as those areas grow. Water is a limited resource and even having visions of technology being used to solve the problem is probably unrealistic. As water supplies are diminished, either conservation, rate increases or expensive water projects - or all these things - will be required and will cost, which conservation being the cheapest in areas that actually see that as a viable and desirable choice. Look into the matter before moving.

watergal of UT 3:36PM February 10, 2012

It doesn't hurt to start thinking about it now.

Tina Jones of PA 10:33AM January 27, 2012

The sunshine state Florida has a few sunny days a year. Cheap homes too but prices are finally starting to go up, but the historic opportunity to buy is coming to an end.

FLAmoveGuide of FL 3:54PM December 21, 2011

I think Covington, Louisiana is Sunny most of the time. It is about 30 miles north of New Orleans, La. and is constantly expanding. It is surely worth a look into "sunny location and great temps.".

paula of IL 1:52PM December 17, 2011

Forget Arizona - unless you want to lose your home and savings within a decade. Arizona is known for drawing in retirees, manipulating the housing market or those retirees savings so that before they die, they have nothing left. First there was Keating in the l980's which bankrupted so many retirees over the savings and loan scandals. Now there is this market manipulation, which is hitting the retirees and natives (who never made those higher salaries) the hardest in that state. I guess at least when you are eventually homeless, at least you won't be cold!

Betsy Ross of AZ 8:23PM December 10, 2011