10 Great Small Cities for Retirement

Looking for a place where there's lots to do, but you won't get lost in the crowd? Check out our top picks

from: AARP | October 2011

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a quintessential New England town near mountains and the ocean for retirees

Want to retire in charm? We found 10 small cities, including Portsmouth, N.H. (pictured), that fit the bill. — Photo Ocean/Corbis

In thinking about your retirement plans, are you drawn to urban living but deterred by the chaos, crowds and exceptionally high cost of big-city life?

See also: Great sunny places to retire.

If so, you might find just what you're looking for in a small city — one that combines the energy and excitement of cosmopolitan life with the charm and neighborliness of a small town.

To help you find such a place, we scoured dozens of small cities throughout the United States and selected our 10 favorites.

In making our picks, we focused on cities with a unique sense of place and a manageable size: Each has a population under 100,000 — small enough to easily navigate but large enough to offer a wide array of culture, amenities and services. These are cities with fairly solid economic foundations and low crime rates. Many are home to colleges and universities, as well as museums, concert halls and theaters.

Take a look at our list and see if you can find the city that feels just right for you.

Next: A tight community in Burlington, Vermont. >>