The Truth about 10 Best Places to Retire Lists By Dr Carol Orsborn l Retirement Plans

I admit that I’m a best places to retire list junkie. From top ten warm weather spots to top ten places to retire abroad, I love that the lists take a scientific approach, factoring in crime rates, proximity to hospitals and the like.

But along the way, free as empty nest birds, my husband and I got to live in many of the places we’d always fantasized about - putting each one to the test one year at a time. We’re talking New York, Napa, D.C., Big Bear, California, Portland, Maine and a number of spots in between. At the same time, we had friends move to Bali, Costa Rica and a quaint village outside London. Comparing the actual experiences to the dream has been illuminating. The following is my top ten of truths about the top places to retire.

Carol Orsborn, Founder of FierceWithAge, the Digest of Boomer Wisdom, Inspiration and Spirituality and best-selling author of 21 books including: Fierce with Age: Chasing God and Squirrels in Brooklyn.