9 Florida Cities Among List of Best Places to Retire

Pennsylvania is also well-represented in the new ranking by U.S. News and World Report
Pensacola Beach
Pristine beaches and a thriving arts scene put Pensacola at No. 2 on the list. Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

A new ranking of the best places to retire in the United States has just been released and – predictably – Florida is well-represented with nine cities among the Top 25.

The report, published by U.S. News & World Report, listed Lancaster, Penn., as the top place to retire. Pensacola led Florida cities at No. 3, followed by Tampa (No. 4), Naples (No. 6), Daytona Beach (No. 7), Sarasota (No. 11), Melbourne (No. 12), Lakeland (No. 13), Ocala (No. 16), and Port St. Lucie (No. 22).

“White sand beaches, breathtaking sunsets and emerald green waters are often cited as reasons newcomers fall in love with the Pensacola area,” the online magazine wrote. “The Spanish explorer Tristán de Luna was certainly enamored when he established Pensacola as the first European settlement in the U.S. in 1559. But beyond the world-famous beaches is a rich cultural heritage displayed through historical architecture, diverse festivals and a fine arts scene.”

Related: Very Little Sunshine in List of Most Affordable Cities | Florida Travel + Life

Here are the Top 10 best places to retire, according to U.S. News:

  1. Lancaster, PA
  2. Harrisburg, PA
  3. Pensacola, FL
  4. Tampa, FL
  5. York, PA
  6. Naples, FL
  7. Daytona Beach, FL
  8. Ann Arbor, MI
  9. Allentown, PA
  10. Reading, PA

The rankings by U.S. News & World Report are based on housing affordability, happiness, desirability, retiree taxes, job market and health care quality.

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