Best Boomer Towns is a Web site designed to serve the largest U.S. population, baby boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964), who will soon be leaving the workforce and looking for a place to retire. We gathered data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000, Wall Street Journal, Money, AARP, New York Times, Del Webb Survey, and U.S. News & World Report. Based on this research, Best Boomer Towns highlights 21 cities in the United States, each delivering the high standards that boomers expect when they relocate and retire. The following criteria were among those evaluated for each town:

• Airport access
• University presence
• Higher-than-average hospitals/doctors per capita
• Volunteer, social, and cultural opportunities
• Cultural diversity
• A range of home prices
• Low crime rates
• Mild climate

Thousands of U.S. towns and cities might qualify as Best Boomer Towns; however, by using the boomer criteria, the selections are clear. The chosen towns also embrace boomers, often with special programs, discounted university pricing, or group activities. Yes, other towns may have similar enticements—we just need them to do a better job of promoting themselves (perhaps they choose not to!).

Visit Best Boomer Towns to review our list. Each town page has daily local weather and news feeds as well as a video about the specific area. It’s nice—essential, really—to have sight, sound, and emotional perspective when considering a location. You will also find tax information, hospital and religion overviews, and usually a blog entry. Here is one of our selected towns:

Austin, Texas: Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is also informally known as the best city in Texas, especially by those who live there. Ask people what they love most about living in the Austin area, and you’ll find as many answers as stars in the giant Texas sky. For some, it’s the Hill Country, with its gentle, rolling slopes and beautiful vistas. For others, it’s the lakes, creeks, and swimming holes. And some folks claim that the real reason to live here is the culture, arts, and welcoming, laid-back attitude. Read more. . . .