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Key Takeaways
- Retirees looking for health-conscious, budget-friendly living might look to affordable destinations in Arkansas, North Carolina, Idaho, and Utah.
- Their proximity to nature, access to recreational activities, and affordability are key factors in their allure for retirees.
Among all the factors that contribute to choosing a place to settle down in retirement, the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle is among the most important. Not all retirement destinations are equally wellness-focused, and savvy retirees may look to maximize health benefits while also considering budget constraints and lifestyle appeal.
The cities below may help retirees focus on fitness, access to fresh food, spending time in nature, and a low-stress pace of life.
Retirees are increasingly seeking easy access to fresh food, clean air, gyms, and natural amenities such as trails and parks. The fact that healthy living does not have to be expensive is also a primary draw.
How We Selected These Healthy Retirement Destinations
While there are many factors impacting healthy living, we looked at the following when determining our choice of health-focused cities for retirees to consider:
- Cost of living and housing affordability
- Access to green spaces, trails, and outdoor recreation
- Availability of quality health care
- Wellness amenities like community centers, fitness studios, and farmers’ markets
- Walkability, low pollution, and community engagement
Boise, Idaho
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Boise has exceptional access to hiking and biking trails, many of which are centered along its 29-mile Greenbelt. Proximity to the Boise National Forest means many more opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and other recreational activities.
With nearly 100 gyms and a booming restaurant scene, Boise offers easy access to healthy living options for retirees.
Retirees love Boise for its focus on older adults, including many community centers, a vibrant arts scene, multiple top-rated medical facilities, tax policies favorable to retirees, and a cost of living 6% below the national average.
Asheville, North Carolina
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Asheville’s wellness culture—including its cool mountain air, natural hot springs, and growing spa scene—make it a top choice among health-conscious retirees. The area has been known for its gorgeous mountain scenery and proximity to nature for centuries.
Asheville also offers some key affordability perks: although housing is a bit pricier than the national average, other costs including food, healthcare, and transportation are lower.
This part of North Carolina may also draw retirees looking for access to a healthy local food movement. The city is known for its health food stores and growing vegetarian and vegan restaurant list. Asheville is home to over 17 local tailgate farmers markets, all selling farm-fresh produce and artisanal goods.
St. George, Utah
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Situated among sandstone cliffs and dunes in southwestern Utah, St. George is appealing for its year-round sunshine and surprisingly temperate winters. Washington County offers an abundance of outdoor fitness opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, golf courses, and prominent national parks.
St. George puts retirees within striking distance of some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area alone offers more than 130 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. At the same time, Snow Canyon State Park—just 15 minutes north—adds another 38 miles of hiking trails and 180 climbing routes across 7,400 acres. And that’s before counting the six national parks within a short drive, including Zion, about half an hour away, with more than 35 trails and cliffs soaring 2,000 feet above the canyon floor.
St. George offers a cost of living that’s 9% lower than the national average, allowing retirees to enjoy affordable living. And if you need a break from all that nature, Las Vegas is less than two hours away.
St. George’s winter daytime highs typically range from 55–65°F, allowing for year-round hiking, biking, and golf.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
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While Fayetteville’s average home price of about $370,000 is close to the national average, its overall cost of living is just 1% above the U.S. norm—with food, transportation, and healthcare all coming in below average.
Fayetteville boasts over 100 miles of biking and walking trails, comprising both paved, shared-use paths and natural-surface trails for biking and hiking. Add to that a citywide transportation plan emphasizing walkability, and retirees will find a strong balance of budget-friendly and health-conscious living in this part of Arkansas.
Fayetteville also offers strong older adult services, with numerous wellness programs available to help you promote healthy living.
Fast Fact
Fayetteville became the first city in the United States to be awarded the designation of “Bike City” by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world’s governing body of cycling, in 2021.
Considerations Before Moving
Budget and wellness appeal are just the starting point. Retirees should also consider access to specialists, seasonal weather patterns that may impact outdoor activities, and the walkability or transit-friendliness of a city. The best way to determine if a place suits you is to visit during different seasons and experience what daily life is really like.
