1. Washington, D.C.

“Active” doesn’t have to mean just a variety of outdoor sports. Washington, D.C. has much to keep a senior’s mind and body active.

It’s a top spot for activities, with an overall score of 49.24.

And it is tied with four other cities for having the most recreation and senior centers per capita—and it’s in that five-way tie for having the most museums, too.

10. Chicago.

Chicago isn’t in the running for one of the top 10 best cities spots, coming in at 86, but as anyone who’s visited the city knows, it’s humming.

In health care the city scores decently at 59. In addition, it’s in a five-way tie for having the most recreation and senior centers per capita.

9. Miami.

Miami actually ranks at 7 on the overall top 10 list, but only two spots down on this one isn’t too shabby.

The city’s overall score is 56.50, but it does suffer a bit on quality of life, ranking 120.

8. Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is a couple of levels down from the overall top 10 list, coming in at 30 with an overall score of 53.17.

Health care comes in at 65 and quality of life at 15, but it’s in activities that L.A. excels.

The city is also in a five-way tie for the top spot in having the most recreation and senior centers.

7. Orlando.

Orlando boasts an overall score of 60.09, putting it at the very top of the list for best places to retire.

When it comes to activities, the city ranked well. Health care rates a 38.

6. Atlanta.

Atlanta, with an overall score of 55.13, actually only missed also being on the top 10 best places overall list by two places, coming in at 12.

But on this list its place is pretty secure. It scores 48 for affordability and 71 for health care, so folks looking for an active retirement could do a lot worse.

5. Seattle.

Seattle isn’t in the top 10 overall, but still comes in in the top third with an overall score of 51.06.

Its activities score is 5, but it does slip a bit on health care and quality of life—43 and 57, respectively.

4. Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale’s overall score is 57.83, ranking it fifth in the top 10 best cities overall.

Couple that with an activities rank of 4 and you’ve got a pretty tempting destination.

Its health care rank is 48, and it has the added attraction of being tied for first (with four other cities!) for the most fishing facilities per capita.

3. San Diego.

San Diego ranked 21, not making the top 10 best cities overall, but nonetheless its overall score of 54.21 is pretty respectable.

Its rank of 3 for activities means residents are likely never to be bored or idle.

The city also got a 70 for health care.

2. San Francisco.

San Francisco isn’t in the top 10 best cities—probably because of its lack of affordability.  

Its overall score is 53.95. Its health care rank is 55.

And it’s tied for first place with four other cities for having the most museums per capita.

1. Washington, D.C.

“Active” doesn’t have to mean just a variety of outdoor sports. Washington, D.C. has much to keep a senior’s mind and body active.

It’s a top spot for activities, with an overall score of 49.24.

And it is tied with four other cities for having the most recreation and senior centers per capita—and it’s in that five-way tie for having the most museums, too.