These Are the Top 3 Best Places to Retire
Key Points
This list is based on what retirees tell The Motley Fool they're looking for in a retirement spot.
There's no single location that's right for everyone.
Home to the oldest city in the U.S., Florida offers a little of everything.
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Recently, The Motley Fool surveyed 2,000 retired Americans, with the goal of learning what matters most to them in retirement. Here's what emerged as retirees' top preferences:
- quality of life (31%)
- healthcare access and quality (15%)
- housing affordability (13%)
- crime and safety (12%)
- weather and climate (12%)
- state and local taxes (11%)
- non-housing affordability (6%)
While there's no single spot that's perfect for all retirees, The Motley Fool's 2026 Best Places to Retire report reflects the qualities most desired. Here are the top three spots, which are all in Florida.
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1. Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida
Total retirement score: 64/100
Often referred to as the Venice of America, the city enjoys an average of 246 days of sunshine each year. With long stretches of waterfront, including boating canals and the Atlantic Ocean, it's a draw for water-lovers from around the world.
What's to love: Even if you're not into long days under an umbrella on the beach, paddleboarding, or walks in the warm sun, you don't have to worry about shoveling snow. While you'll have plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, Fort Lauderdale has a laid-back vibe, perfect for chilling. Plus, there's no state income tax.
Potential challenges: Housing and property tax costs in Fort Lauderdale tend to be on the high side, and crime rates are higher than in other South Florida cities. If you're not into tourists, you may need to find some of Fort Lauderdale's less "touristy" spots (and they do exist). Traffic can be a bear at certain times of day, and humidity could cause you to spend more than usual on no-frizz hair serums.
2. St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida
Total retirement score: 59/100
What's to love: Unless you find weeks of sunshine tiresome, you'll adore the weather in St. Augustine. If you're into history, there's nothing quite like St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. You may also love the number of music venues and creative eateries in town.
Potential challenges: With all that sunshine comes heat, and summers can be brutal. However, if you don't mind getting out early or waiting until the end of the day, you can enjoy the ocean breeze while taking a long walk. If your hair reacts negatively to humidity, you might want to invest in hats to hide what's sure to happen.
Thanks to the number of "best places to live" lists it has made, St. Augustine tends to attract tourists over most of the year. And thanks to all the tourists, traffic can snarl, making it tougher to run errands than you might imagine.
3. Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida
Total retirement score: 59/100
What's to love: Quincy still carries that old-time Florida vibe. If you're considering relocation in retirement, you're likely to adore the below-average cost of living and Quincy's historic downtown. And if you'd feel right at home in a small town, Quincy has fewer than 8,000 residents.
Potential challenges: Given the limited number of restaurants, retail establishments, and healthcare options, you may need to drive to a larger city (like Tallahassee) to find what you're looking for. Also, cooling your house on hot, humid days may cost more than you're accustomed to spending.
If you're interested in retiring in the South but not necessarily in Florida, The Motley's Fool's Best Places to Retire in the South may spark your imagination.
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