10 U.S. Cities With Great Weather for Retirees (+5K Views)

Everyone’s interpretation of ideal weather isn’t the same – some want to spend their golden years soaking up the sun, while others prefer a place where they can be near ski slopes. That said, if you’re looking for what most of us would consider pleasant weather—places with plenty of sunshine, low amounts of rain or snow, fewest days below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees and low humidity—these locales came to mind as 10 of the best places [in the U.S.] to retire if weather is your main concern.

The comments above & below are edited ([ ]) and abridged (…) excerpts from the original article written by John Brady (TopRetirements.com)

(Please note that I tried to be geographically diverse in my picks. After all, many will want to retire in a place near where they already live or near their children and that, although the choices below are numbered 1 – 10, the choices are so subjective it is better to view them as all good choices rather than that one is better than another.)

1. San Luis Obispo, Calif.-San Luis Obispo, Calif., a city on the Pacific Coast with an average January temperature in the low to mid 50s and an average July temperature in the high 60s. While you can expect rain from December to February, there are clear skies for most of the rest of the year….

2. Las Cruces, N.M.-The high altitude of Las Cruces helps to moderate the city’s temperatures throughout the year, and its dry climate is a plus for people who can’t stand humidity.

3. Medford, Ore.-Oregon might have a reputation as a rainy state, but the farther you get from the coast, the drier it gets.  The climate is ideal for the growing of fruit, and Harry and David, the mail-order fruit and gourmet foods company, is one of the biggest local companies based there.

4. Carson City, Nev.-Carson City is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and nearby Lake Tahoe is an attraction for those interested in recreational activities. Nevada doesn’t have a state income tax, which can also be a plus for residents.

5.  Sequim, Wash.-It’s called the “blue hole,” so nicknamed by airline pilots because it’s often the only cloudless spot in the region. The city only gets about 14 inches of rain a year, about the same as Los Angeles.

6. Key West, Fla.-It’s the only frost-free city in the continental U.S., and ranked No. 10 on the Camelot Index, a ranking of locations based on climates that are sunny and mild, with few extremes in temperature, humidity or precipitation.

7. Lake Charles, La.– Pleasant temperatures but one downside: high humidity.

8. Prescott, Ariz.– It’s hot in many parts of Arizona, but weather in the northern part of the state, where cities are higher above sea level—including Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff—are cooler.

9. St. Marys, Ga.-Its location near the coast means moderate temperatures year round, and easy access to the beaches and Georgia’s Sea Island.

10. Asheville, N.C.– Asheville is a good choice for retirees who still want to experience the four seasons—in moderation. The average July high is 84 degrees and the average January low is 27 degrees.

Honorable mentions: Other cities that came close to making TopRetirements.com’s list: Blacksburg, Va.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; San Angelo, Midland or Odessa, Texas; Florence, S.C.; and Hattiesburg, Miss.

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