Lennar Resource Center

Deciding where to retire is a major life decision. It’s important to be aware of what your expectations for retirement are and what matters most to you. Whether your priority is affordability, desirable location or easy access to quality hospitals, these cities have it all. Explore the 10 best places to retire in 2019 according to this U.S. News & World Rankings report. Lucky for you, Lennar offers new home communities in 7 of the cities listed below! 

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1. Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate. Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city. A short drive can take one through each of these environments.

2. Fort Myers, FL

Nestled alongside the Caloosahatchee River in Southwest Florida, Fort Myers is a midsize metro area. It has retained its small-town heritage though, with a charming downtown lined with shops and restaurants, many of which are dog-friendly. Museums, parades, festivals, theaters, parks, historical sites and art galleries pepper the metro area and its social calendar.

3. Sarasota, FL

Warm temperatures year-round, award-winning beaches and a thriving arts and cultural scene have made Sarasota a go-to place for retirees and families, not to mention a handful of celebrities (including Stephen King and Rosie O’Donnell). This southwest Florida region, which is about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, continues to attract new residents with great restaurants and plenty of shopping options.

4. Austin, TX

People are drawn to the Texas capital’s music, outdoor spaces and cultural institutions. Austin was established along the Colorado River on the edge of the Hill Country in 1839. Originally named “Waterloo,” Austin remains rich in history, from the bronze statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan that greets visitors near the river, to the stately Capitol that anchors downtown, to the LBJ Presidential Library at the University of Texas at Austin.

5. Pittsburgh, PA

Known by nicknames like Blitzburgh and Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying steel industry, Pittsburgh is earning another name: reinvention city. Since the steel mills closed in the 1980s, Pittsburgh feels cleaner and full of energy. Pittsburgh encompasses almost 2,000 acres of land in just its city parks, and offers county parks, state parks and riverfront parks to its residents.

6. Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids has an affinity for public art, and its craft brewery scene is one of the best in the nation. A scenic spot perched on the Grand River – Michigan’s longest waterway – Grand Rapids has evolved from its 19th-century roots as a hub of furniture production to the modern-day metro area that is attracting college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing and outdoor recreational activities.

7. Nashville, TN

Nashville is famous for the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, aka the Mother Church of Country Music, and twangy honky-tonks, but music is just a byproduct of the larger city culture. Music City is home to a community fiercely driven by a desire to create.

8. San Antonio, TX

San Antonio is as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. It offers big-city amenities and world-renowned attractions coupled with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Most famously known as the home of the Alamo, the spirit of the region expands beyond its tourist labels, offering a community rich in Spanish and Old West heritage.

9. Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Offering both big-city excitement and quiet, suburban living, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area offers an interesting mix of Texas pride and cosmopolitan offerings. The cowboy life still exists in Fort Worth, while Dallasites love the trendy local bars and numerous retail shops. And no matter which part of the metroplex they call home, sports fans rally together behind their professional sports teams.

10. Lakeland, FL

Aptly named for its 38 stunning lakes, Lakeland is infused with Old Florida history and natural beauty. Remnants of Lakeland’s past, like Polk Theatre and Munn Park, remind residents of the metro area’s 19th-century roots. Meanwhile, nearly 40 parks allow Lakelanders to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.