Sarasota, Florida

• Located on Florida's laid-back Gulf coast, Sarasota has a little something for every taste. Sarasota Bay beckons sailors and anglers, while more than a dozen golf courses of all price ranges appeal to those who enjoy a day on the links. And while the city of Sarasota has around 53,000 people, it is also home to its own opera, ballet, symphony and thriving performing and visual arts community.
  
  

Portland, Oregon

• Oregon's largest city still has something of a small-town feel. Portland's revitalized waterfront area, parks, diverse shopping area known as the Pearl District, appeal to retirees, unless they can't handle the rain, which pours on Portland about 150 days a year. Portland is also close to the scenic beauty of Mount Hood, as well as the rocky Oregon coast. Active seniors will enjoy the many bike trails through and around Portland, which also has traveler-friendly and well-used light rail system.
  
  

Durham, North Carolina

• Along with the mild, year-round weather of North Carolina, Durham enjoys several other appealing qualities for retirees. Among them is Duke University, which is a leader in lifelong learning programs, as well as clinical trials for new medications and medical treatments. The lifelong learning program holds classes and seminars on campus, which gives older adults a chance to mingle with students. Durham also boasts an affordable cost of living.
  
  

Las Cruces, New Mexico

• "AARP the Magazine" called Las Cruces one of "America's dream towns." Surrounded by the high desert terrain of the foothills of Organ Mountains, Las Cruces is filled with scenic beauty. And yet it's New Mexico's second largest city, so there are plenty of cultural amenities to enjoy alongside all that natural splendor. Las Cruces enjoys a reasonable cost of living, and a reputation for having some of the best Mexican food in the U.S.