Where to retire is arguably a very important decision. You want to choose somewhere that will feel like home and where you can be happy. You likely want it to be affordable and have access to quality health care, amenities, and activities. This may sound like a tall order, but researching potential candidates can help.
U.S. News & World Report is a website that specializes in rankings. It’s probably best known for ranking colleges, but it ranks many topics that are important to readers. The site recently ranked what it felt were the best cities for retirees in 2022 using specific criteria.
What Were the Criteria? The site considered the categories of happiness of residents, affordability, tax rates, and health care quality. It also looked at perceived desirability and the job market.
Which Florida Cities Ranked Best? Although not all of the top 15 were Florida cities, 7 were, which was the most of any state. Lakeland was ranked 13th……
Lakeland, 13th Place: There’s a reason this city has the word “lake” in its name. It has 38 lakes. Many people find this small town in Polk County reminiscent of “old Florida,” with its vintage Polk Theatre and Munn Park. Although this city definitely has a small-town feel, it’s within driving distance to both Orlando and Tampa, so you have easy access to attractions.