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Thinking of using retirement to make a big move? We canvassed data to come up with a list of the top U.S. cities for seniors. Factors included living and housing costs, taxes, weather, doctor availability, serious crime rates and stay-active opportunities via paid or volunteer work and outdoor facilities. Cities are listed in alphabetical order.
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Fast fact: World's largest hot-air balloon event staged each October.
Pros: Terrific weather, good air quality, low taxes, lot of doctors, below average cost of living, average home price of $163,000, active-lifestyle encouragements.
Cons: Crime, high unemployment.
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Fast fact: Sits in the geographic middle of Louisiana.
Pros: Warm climate and good air quality, solid economy, good tax situation, average home price of $148,000.
Con: Crime.
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Atlant
Fast fact: Georgia's capital and most populous city.
Pros: Favorable climate, low cost of living, average home price of $96,000, good tax situation, big volunteer mindset.
Cons: Crime, below-average air quality.
Calculator: Are you saving enough for retirement?
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Fast fact: Hosts South by Southwest, an annual music, film and tech festival.
Pros: Growing economy, no state income tax, below-average cost of living, average home price of $188,000, good weather, outdoor exercise culture.
Con: Average air quality.
Boise, Idaho
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Pros: Low crime, low cost of living, average home price of $118,000, above-average air quality, attractive semi-arid climate.
Con: Poor economy.
Columbia, S.C.
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Pros: Below-average cost of living, typical home price of $141,000, favorable state tax climate, good weather.
Cons: Poor economy, high crime rate.
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Corpus Christi, Texas
Fast fact: Hometown of actress Farrah Fawcett.
Pros: Growing economy, low cost of living, average home price of $136,000, good weather.
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Fort Myers, Fla.
Fast fact: Historic winter home to tycoons.
Pros: Good weather, above-average air quality, low cost of living, average home price of $119,000.
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Knoxville, Tenn.
Fast fact: Site of 1982 World's Fair.
Pros: Strong economy, low living costs and average home price of $137,000.
Con: High crime rate.
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Fast fact: Self-styled "City of Seven Hills."
Pros: Good economy, cost of living 6% below national average, average home price of $134,000, good air quality, low crime.
Con: So-so tax climate.
Pittsburgh
Fast fact: George Washington was city's co-founder.
Pros: Decent economy, below-average cost of living, average home price of $121,000, tax breaks for retirees.
Con: Cold winters.
Salt Lake City
Fast fact: Most residents are not Mormons.
Pros: Good economy, cheap living costs, average home price of $183,000, low taxes, great mountain scenery, bracing but appealing climate, incentives for active retirement.
Con: Crime rate.
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Tucson, Ariz.
Fast fact: Home of University of Arizona.
Pros: Low cost of living, low taxes, average home price of $131,000, good weather, encouragements for active retirement, numerous doctors.
Con: Poor economy.
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