This Sun Belt City Was Just Named America's No. 1 Retirement Destination

It's no secret retired people like a quiet, leisurely lifestyle in a place that still has enough attractions and diversions to keep them active, and that explains why so many of them end up in America's Sun Belt. 

For much of the last 50 years, the most popular retirement destination in America has been Florida, but Scottsdale, Arizona, has recently been named by Niche.com as America's No. 1 city for retirees.

Arizona has long been a highly desirable destination for retirees and Californians who are looking to maximize the value of their dollar, but Scottsdale's combination of a high living standard, low crime, easy access to healthcare and year-round sunshine make it particularly appealing for the retirement set. Scottsdale, home to some 240,000 people, is big enough to have everything people want while retaining its small-town feel.

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If there is anything Scottsdale residents want that they can't find in town, Phoenix is a stone's throw to the west. Phoenix also gives Scottsdale residents access to an international airport and the opportunity to view professional franchises in all of America's major sports. To top that off, Los Angeles and Las Vegas are both accessible via short airplane flights.

Scottsdale also has a wide variety of outdoor pursuits for residents. The area has long been known as a golfer's paradise, and one of its most storied courses, TPC Scottsdale, hosts the PGA Tour's WM Phoenix Open. The tournament is famous for its atmosphere and grandstands on the par three 16th hole, one of the PGA Tour's most famous holes.

The hills above Scottsdale offer hundreds of miles of trails and spectacular views of the Arizona desert, which make them great locations for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Niche also reports that Scottsdale has the highest concentration of spas per capita in the country, making it easy for residents to pamper themselves and live the good life.

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Old-town Scottsdale, an eclectic collection of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants connected by cozy pedestrian streets, offers residents plenty of local options for shopping, dining and entertainment. With all these assets in its favor, plus a convenient location about 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, it's not hard to see why Scottsdale is a sought-after destination for retirees.

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Retirees must clear one significant hurdle retirees before moving to this beautiful destination in the Sonoran Desert. The premium amenities and convenience of Scottsdale come at a cost. Zillow estimates the average home price in Scottsdale at just over $800,000. That means it will take careful and astute retirement planning to relocate to Scottsdale in your golden years.

The good news is that America has numerous quality retirement destinations aside from Scottsdale. The No. 2 and No. 3 cities on the Niche.com best places to retire list are Clearwater, Florida, outside of Tampa, and Metairie, Louisiana, outside of New Orleans. Both cities have warm weather, easy access to outdoor activities and the bonus of home prices significantly below the national average. You don't have to retire to Scottsdale to retire in style.  

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