Visiting this small town feels like a trip to the past, with its aptly named Pioneer Street and the old facades of buildings. In 1862, there was a gold strike on the Colorado River which brought many prospectors to the surrounding area hoping to make their fortunes.
- The goal of this ranking list is to find the best small town downtown areas for both residents as well as visitors to the area. Ranking The Top 50 Small Town Downtowns in America #50 – Mathews, Virginia. 2013 Population: 8,884. First on our list is the quaint town.
- Here, Newsmax has rounded up 50 of the very best small towns in America, where churches are abundant, schools are orderly and safe, crime is low, scenery is beautiful, and people are friendly. These are the small towns where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy life like it used to be in our country.
11. Midland, Texas
Total annual expenditures: $39,090Percentage of seniors 65 and older: 10.6%
Crime rate: 22.4
Livability score: 84
(Photos: Shutterstock)
10. Naperville, Illinois
Total annual expenditures: $59,500.47Percentage of residents 65 and older: 14.9%
Crime rate: 12.67
Livability score: 75
9. Conroe, Texas
Total annual expenditures: $39,337Percentage of residents 65 and older: 12.4%
Crime rate: 27.85
Livability score: 85
8. Sugar Land, Texas
Total annual expenditures: $50,466Percentage of residents 65 and older: 14.5%
Crime rate: 15.37
Livability score: 76
7. Peoria, Arizona
Total annual expenditures: $48,257Percentage of residents 65 and older: 16%
Crime rate: 22.59
Livability score: 80
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6. McKinney, Texas
Total annual expenditures: $48,857Percentage of residents 65 and older: 9.4%
Crime rate: 14.8
Livability score: 90
5. Pembroke Pines, Florida
Total annual expenditures: $52,291Percentage of residents 65 and older: 16.5%
Crime rate: 24.01
Livability score: 82
4. Overland Park, Kansas
Total annual expenditures: $48,041Percentage of residents 65 and older: 14.4%
Crime rate: 19.08
Livability score: 83
3. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Total annual expenditures: $43,595Percentage of residents 65 and older: 22.9%
Crime rate: 38.42
Livability score: 79
2. Edmond, Oklahoma
Total annual expenditures: $43,074Percentage of residents 65 and older: 14%
Crime rate: 15.64
Livability score: 89
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1. Cape Coral, Florida
Total annual expenditures: $45,103Percentage of residents 65 and older: 21.9%
Crime rate: 17.08
Livability score: 85
(Related: 12 Cheapest U.S. Cities for a Comfortable Retirement)
Americans who are thinking about retiring often consider doing so in a small town — whether because of lower cost of living, desire to leave a large city, nostalgia for the place they grew up or any number of other considerations.
50 Most Beautiful Small Town
Numerous small towns in the U.S. offer good public transportation, nearby health care, tolerable weather, socializing opportunities and senior amenities. Many also offer retirees a slower pace, fewer crowds, less crime and traffic and a close-knit community.
GoBankingRates created a list of manageable towns that it found to be the best places to retire. The firm’s researchers estimated the annual income a retiree would need to afford housing, health care, food, transportation and other living expenses in 60 American cities outside the 150 biggest ones.
Best Small Town In America
They also ensured that their selection of the top 30 cities had a relatively higher rate of seniors and a lower crime rate.
Best Small Towns In America 2019
Their livability score for each town, which came from AreaVibes, is a score out of 100 that comprises seven different categories and dozens of data points across multiple data sets. Crime rates — violent and property crimes per 1,000 people — are sourced from Neighborhood Scout.
See the gallery for GoBankingRates’ top 11 most desirable small towns for retirement.
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