Best Places to Retire in 2012

Every human being has a desire to live a fulfilling life. We all want to do things that we are passionate about, but these are often procrastinated, courtesy our busy work-schedule. Retirement was ideally thought to be the stage where one fulfills the long cherished dreams as the responsibilities are dealt with and you get a break from your daily work-routine. But, the economic turbulence in the past few years has meant that even this may not be promised to us and we may need to work to complement our primary source of income. This has caused a shift in paradigm as far as the hunt for the best retirement places is concerned. While a decade ago, one might have chosen a secluded place, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, today, many people prefer to relocate to a place which offers serenity and provides some frugality. This is one of the prime reasons behind the new names that have come up in the list of best places to retire in 2012, as per the report published in the U.S. News. Let us take a look at the places which have made it to the list this year.

Great Places to Retire in 2012

1. Flagstaff, Arizona
Named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by the "Second Boston Party", Flagstaff tops the list of best places to retire in 2012. Giving you company are the famous Mount Alden and Humphreys Peak - some of the highest points in Arizona. On offer is the dry continental climate, which varies according to the four seasons. Although, the winters can be a bit cold, the summers are warm and nice. Another factor that works in favor of Flagstaff is the relatively low-crime rate, although larceny and burglary are slightly on the higher side. With an estimated 5 million people touring Flagstaff every year, there are ample opportunities for people to start small establishments. Apart from tourism, other sector which employs majority of people is education, courtesy the North Arizona University. Places of interest are the Lowell Observatory, Grand Canyon National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and The Museum of Northern Arizona.

2. Boone, North Carolina
Named after Daniel Boone - one of the first folk heroes of the United States - Boone is second on the list as it has got history, legend, serenity, and well a subtropical highland climate on its side! Expectantly, the summers are warm and the winters can be really chilly. There has been a bit of controversy regarding the construction of industrial and residential houses, but the "Boone 2030 Land Use Plan" has acted as a regulator for planned development in this beautiful town. Appalachian State University and Watauga Medical center are the biggest employers. The places of attraction are Blue Ridge Parkway, Daniel Boone Native Gardens, and Horn in the West, to name a few. According to U.S. News, the average cost of buying a house in 2010 was $215, 250.

3. Traverse City, Michigan
One of the largest cities in Northern Michigan region, Traverse City enjoys the position of being located at the center of seven trading counties. It is in the limelight when it hosts the Cherry Festival in the first week of July, attracting more than 500,000 tourists. It is also a destination for skiers and people who love to spend their time on a beach. The houses are affordable to buy as the median price is $155,715.

4. Walnut Creek, California
If you have had your share of living in a cramped-for-space city, then Walnut Creek can be a refreshing change for you. The place is known for its open spaces, and has the most open space per capita in California. The summers are hot and the winters are cool and moist. Places of interest are Castle Rock Park, Heather Farm Park, and Mount Diablo. The average cost of buying a house in Walnut Creek is around $500,000.

4. Ithaca, New York
Ithaca is a college town, and it is one of the most affordable places for retirees as the median cost of buying a house is around $180,000. It is known for its gorges and waterfalls. If you are looking forward to a place with relatively lesser levels of pollution, then do mark Ithaca on your list as it has sparse vehicular traffic.

5. Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln makes it to the list of best retirement places as it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Nebraska, and is in proximity to the University of Nebraska Technology Park. According to U.S. News, Nebraska can be one of the most ideal places to start a new career. If you are planning to buy your own house in Lincoln, you will have to shell out around $150,000.

Some other places which you can head off to after retirement are:

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Port Charlotte, Florida
• Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Marquette, Michigan
• Cape Coral, Florida
• Boise, Idaho
• Weatherford, Texas

These were some of the best places to retire in 2012. If you are going to attain your superannuation in the year 2012, these places can be of special interest to you. Wishing you an engaging and fulfilling post-work life!