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Guide to the Best Places to Retire
Best Places to Live & Retire
Ideal-Living offers a free comprehensive service that begins with helping you find your ideal lifestyle. Until you know how you want to live, you can’t know where you want to live. We offer a wide array of tools to help you get answers to the questions that are keeping you from moving to your ideal destination. We can help you find the best places to live & retire.
There are lots of publications that put out annual lists of the best places to live. We have compiled a list of the cities and towns that are most often cited as the best places to retire. So, here is our list of the top 10 best places to retire.
- Naples, Florida
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Milford, Delaware
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Williamsburg, Virginia
The fun is just beginning! We have communities in all of these cities and many more. We can provide you with information on communities in some of the most inviting locales across the United States and internationally.
We give you the information so you can compare across all the things you think are important for your ideal lifestyle. What makes a city or town one of the best places to retire? Weather? Taxes? Cost of living? Fun things to do? Sure, they all matter, but most of all it is your preferences, your taste, your dreams that make it the best place to retire for you.
Our free Retirement Guide, Digital Ideal-Living Magazine and e-Newsletter offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers. All sent to you for FREE.
You can get specific information that is critical to helping you find best retirement cities, states and communities. You’ll find out information such as:
The Most Tax Friendly States
Tax Benefits for Retirees in Specific States
Best Climates
States with the Lowest Cost of Living
Population & Demographics
How to Get the Most for Your Home
Proximity of Schools, Hospitals, Airports & Entertainment
We can help you answer these and any other questions you may have concerning YOUR best place to retire. Our free resources can provide you with key information. Fill out the short form and get the information you need to decide where you can find your ideal lifestyle.
Sample Communities to Discover
Davis Reserve at Citrus Hills
Davis Reserve at Citrus Hills — Florida Living, Elevated
Tucked within the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, Davis Reserve is a new boutique 55+ community by the Villages of Citrus Hills, where natural beauty meets modern design and connection comes effortlessly. Thoughtfully planned for those seeking both refinement and relaxation, Davis Reserve invites you to experience life that’s elevated, easy, and inspired.
A Boutique Neighborhood with Character
Davis Reserve was created with an intimate sense of place. Every detail—from the tree-lined streets to the open, light-filled homes—encourages connection, wellness, and comfort. Elegant single-family homes feature modern layouts, stylish finishes, and inviting outdoor living areas that blur the line between home and nature. It’s a setting designed for morning coffee, sunset gatherings, and effortless Florida living.
The Heart of Citrus County
Davis Reserve sits in the very center of Citrus County, just nine miles from the Gulf Coast and minutes from Crystal River and Inverness. Here, small-town charm meets everyday convenience. Explore waterfront restaurants, local shops, and scenic trails—or take a short drive to Tampa, Ocala, or Orlando for big-city access with a Nature Coast pace.
Surrounded by Outdoor Beauty
Citrus County is known for its unspoiled landscapes and endless recreation. Residents can kayak in the springs near Crystal River, bike the Withlacoochee State Trail, or fish the Tsala Apopka Lake Chain in nearby Inverness. The Gulf’s calm waters invite boating, scalloping, or simply soaking in the sunshine—where every day feels like a getaway.
Resort-Style Amenities and Community Spirit
As part of the Villages of Citrus Hills, homeowners enjoy full access to world-class amenities: championship golf, a luxurious spa, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, and vibrant social clubs. Whether you’re unwinding by the pool, joining a wellness class, or meeting friends for dinner, Davis Reserve offers a lifestyle centered on connection and well-being.
A Place Where Life Opens Up
At Davis Reserve, you’ll find more than a home—you’ll discover a community that celebrates neighbors, and new beginnings. Here, life moves at the perfect pace: bright, friendly, and full of possibility.
Aria at Silverstone
Welcome to Aria at Silverstone, a gated community of new-construction homes in Scottsdale, AZ.
Choose from three luxurious, 2-story townhome floorplans of up to 2,637 sq. ft., 4 beds, 3.5 baths, and 2-car garages. Create a beautiful interior with Looks palettes assembled to evoke a specific atmosphere from three options: Loft, Farmhouse, or Classic.
Amenities include a dog park, shaded area, heated pool, and pool restrooms. Commute easily to shopping, dining, and recreation with Loop 101, State Route 51, and Scottsdale Airport.
Indulge in a new townhome at Aria at Silverstone!
Harmony at Aurora
Harmony at Aurora is a modern lock-and-leave neighborhood near Bentonville, AR, expertly crafted by Thrilled Home Builders and developed by Leadership Properties, the same team behind the highly regarded Scissortail gated community. Harmony is designed for those who want a low-maintenance lifestyle with everyday convenience and style.
Homes in Harmony feature thoughtfully designed floor plans, elevated finishes, and smart technology that make living both beautiful and easy. Highlights include solid-surface countertops with waterfall islands, GE Cafe smart appliances, linear fireplaces, spa-inspired bathrooms, oversized sliding glass doors, epoxy garage floors, Ecobee thermostats, and keyless entry. Interiors maximize natural light and openness, with custom lighting packages and flex spaces tailored for today’s lifestyles.
Beyond the front door, Harmony residents enjoy access to Aurora’s master-planned amenities: two pools, an open-air clubhouse, trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a sports court for basketball and pickleball, and a fun dog park. Within Harmony itself, zero-maintenance yards, private patios, and community courtyards with pergolas, fire pits, and swings provide spaces to relax or connect with neighbors.
Harmony’s location near Bentonville means quick access to nationally ranked schools, major employers, Crystal Bridges Museum, the Walmart AMP, and the Razorback Greenway trail system. It’s a community designed for professionals, empty nesters, people looking to downsize, and travelers who want both sophistication and freedom.
At Harmony, homeowners experience Thrilled Home Builders’ refined design, superior craftsmanship, and elevated elegance—combined with the convenience of lock-and-leave living in one of Northwest Arkansas’s most desirable areas.
Chaparral Ranch at The Preserve at Millerton Lake
Chaparral Ranch at The Preserve: New-Construction Homes for Sale in Friant, CA
Discover Chaparral Ranch at The Preserve, a community of new homes for sale in Friant, CA. Choose from six floorplans of up to 2,932 sq. ft., 4 beds, 3.5 baths, and 3-car garages. Select plans feature an Extra Suite+, an apartment-style living area within your home that’s perfect for multigenerational living, housing a caregiver, or hosting extended guests.
We offer Looks, a simplified way to create a beautiful interior. Choose from four distinct options – Elements, Loft, Farmhouse, or Classic – offering unique palettes assembled to evoke a specific vibe throughout your home.
Commute easily to school, work, and fun with plenty of highways, public transit, and airports nearby. You’re not far from outdoor recreation, everyday conveniences, shopping, and dining. Experience life at Chaparral Ranch at The Preserve today!
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the top retirement communities, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
The ultimate guide to find your ideal destination, life and home. This annual guide contains more than 15 state maps, a location-based cost of living and climate comparison chart and discovery travel packages.
- ideal-LIVING Magazine
Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
- ideal-LIVING E-Newsletter
Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
- Tickets to ideal-LIVING Live Events
The ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show has helped retirees and second-home buyers find their ideal community and home for more than 30 years.
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