1. Florence, Ore. 30

2. Scottsdale, Ariz. 7

3. Charleston, S.C. 2

4. Melbourne-Palm Bay, Fla. 26

5. Northern San Diego 25

6. Tucson 8

7. Medford-Ashland, Ore. 11

8. Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. 79

9. Daytona Beach 17

10. Fayetteville, Ark. 21

This is according to  Retirement Places Rated, 6^th edition. 

The number to the right of each community in the Top 10 List indicates its rank in the 1999 5^th edition of  Retirement Places Rated.

Retiring Away from Florida

Since the first edition of Retirement Places Rated. in 1983, the publication has reflected a continuing shift from Florida as a retirement haven to the Northwest, the Rocky Mountains and the desert Southwest.

Florida retains two spots in the top 10: No. 4 Melbourne-Palm Bay and No. 9 Daytona Beach. But editor David Savageau sees "a slow but perceptible slide (in) retirement appeal because of population growth, crime, hurricanes, politics and because boomers view it as their gray-haired parents' retirement spot." 

Retirement Residential Trends

Other retirement trends noted by David Savageau in Retirement Places Rated:

* Seasonal residences. For example, living in Las Vegas in winter and upper Michigan in summer.

* Serial relocation. Retirees who keep moving, spending perhaps two years in each location, rehabbing a home and selling it at a profit.

* Living nowhere. About 1 million people are full-time RV enthusiasts.

* Small-group time-sharing. Households buy a variety of properties and rotate between them.