Plano Named One of Livability.com’s Top 10 Best Places to Retire, 2015

As we lead longer, healthier lives, the age 65-and-older population is projected to double to 85 million by 2050. Getting to retirement is the culmination of many decisions and, ideally, a long-standing series of life and financial plans. One of the key questions, of course, is where should you live when you retire? With this in mind, Livability.com has named Plano one of the Top 10 Best Places to Retire, 2015. Plano offers access to affordable and quality health care, a practical cost of living, retiree-friendly businesses and services, as well as several amenities to help keep residents active.

Our editors started by examining our own survey research to determine which criteria are most important to this generation: exemplary and affordable health-care services, presence of other seniors, ways to become or stay involved in the community, low crime rates, moderate climates and access to golf courses and other outdoor amenities.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Medicare, Esri, NOAA, Walk Score, the EPA and other sources, we crunched the numbers to derive our shortlist. Then our editors selected the Top 10 Best Places to Retire. Using the data as a guide, we chose cities and towns with a range of populations, climates and locales.

“As the aging population grows and diversifies, so will their ideas of ideal retirement,” says Livability.com Editor Matt Carmichael. “We wanted our list of Best Places to Retire to reflect the breadth of options today’s active seniors are considering.”

Plano retirees enjoy a low crime rate, outdoor amenities, cultural activities and a high percentage of people age 60 and over. The city and state tax laws are highly favorable to retirees, and cost of living expenses are low compared to many other places. Residents of all ages enjoy the high energy level found in Plano, which extends from the downtown area into surrounding neighborhoods and retirement communities. It’s an easy transition from natural wonderlands like Arbor Hills Nature Reserve to trendy shopping centers such as Collin Creek Mall and The Shops at Willow Bend.