Six Safe, Livable Towns

Perfect for Retirement

Safety and quality of life are top priorities for many people when they’re choosing where to retire. Here are five very livable towns with below average crime rates.

Post Falls, Idaho

Nestled in Idaho’s rugged Panhandle, scenic Post Falls stretches between two metropolitan areas – Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Spokane, Washington. Both I-90 and the Spokane River run through town. Tidy new subdivisions with wide streets are peppered with ranch ramblers and newly planted trees. Many riverfront homes have a boat slip. Residents enjoy several annual festivals, movies in the park, an arboretum and more. Falls Park has dramatic views of the hydroelectric dam and gorge. The Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center hosts cooking classes, musical performances and author lectures.

Apex, North Carolina

In east central North Carolina, charming Apex sits in a pine forest outside of Raleigh and is home to professionals who work in the nearby Research Triangle. The welcoming downtown district is dotted with restaurants, cafes and retailers in attractive, colorful buildings. Throughout the year, the city hosts numerous events, including the Apex Jazz Festival, Founders Day, and of course, the Basketball Ham Toss. The Halle Cultural Center has free concerts and movies, art shows, book launches and classes. Locals enjoy more than 20 parks and greenbelts. Neighborhoods are well kept with Craftsman, coastal and Cape Cod home styles.

Fishers, Indiana

Outside of Indianapolis in central Indiana, Fishers often lands on “best places to live” lists. It sits along the White River, which offers abundant recreational opportunities, including kayaking and fishing. The city has a lovely greenway system with more than 85 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths. One of the biggest attractions is Conner Prairie, a Smithsonian Museum-affiliated living history park. It attracts visitors from around the region and is the summer home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Residents also enjoy a Saturday farmers’ market, concerts, festival and fairs. The downtown has new shops, pubs, concerts and a culinary incubator. Most homes are made from brick.

Niceville, Florida

Once known as Boggy Bayou, Niceville is tucked along the Choctawhatchee Bay on Florida’s western Panhandle and abuts Eglin Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Test Center and the 96th Test Wing. Most of Niceville’s shoreline is commercially or privately owned, but Henderson State Park, about 13 miles away across the bay, has sugar white oceanfront beaches, a boardwalk and areas for camping. Residents also enjoy an arts center, Saturday farmers’ market, a dog park, a free gardening program, pop-up book sales, July 4th fireworks over the bayou and more. Housing ranges from modest bungalows to elegant residences along the water.

McKinney, Texas

McKinney is a growing town outside of Dallas lands and is dotted with master-planned communities and new homes in well-kept, tree-lined suburban neighborhoods. Parks and greenbelts are plentiful. Lined with beautifully restored historic structures, cute shops, art galleries and cozy cafes, the downtown is a particular highlight. The city sponsors an arts council, and the old courthouse has been turned into a popular performance arts center. Adriatica Village is a replica of a charming European fishing village, complete with cobblestone streets, narrow walkways, public squares and stone buildings with modern condos, restaurants and shops. Two nearby lakes offer recreation opportunities.

Fort Mill, South Carolina

Outside of growing Charlotte, Fort Mill is in north central South Carolina and has a country/suburban vibe. The downtown features a pretty park, a farmers’ market and an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Locals enjoy a lovely greenway with 36 miles of trails, a nature center, swinging bridges and 28-acre Lake Haigler. The Fort Mill Art Guild offers classes and support for emerging artists, while the history museum stages a speaker series and an annual art event. A particular point of pride is the annual strawberry festival, which draws visitors from around the region. Neighborhoods are wooded and well-kept with ranch ramblers, Craftmans and bungalows.