Though retirement living is typically associated with temperate climates and warm sunshine, a new survey has revealed Minneapolis to be the top U.S. city for retirees.
Conducted by the Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center For a Secure Retirement, the 2011 Best Cities For Seniors poll praised the Twin Cities as being optimal for senior living, based on criteria that included healthcare, economy, crime rate and other quality of life factors. Coming in at a close second was Boston, followed by Pittsburgh and Cleveland, respectively.
The results may come as a surprise to seniors who feel drawn to warmer regions like Florida and Arizona, a point which researchers acknowledged. "We weren't interested in another study on where to enjoy your retirement, but instead wanted to find cities that did the best job in providing the services and support that seniors need," Scott Perry, president of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, the national life and health insurer, said in a statement. "The top ranked cities aren't what come to mind when you think about where to spend your golden years, but they scored high in the criteria most important to the 65 and up bracket."
View more information about the report, including additional rankings, here.
View the top 10 best cities for seniors below:
Ten Best Cities For Seniors
Correction: The slideshow has been updated as a photo of St. Paul had been incorrectly identified as Minneapolis.