AARP the Magazine announces top five places to live (and retire)... Selected based on atmosphere and services for residents age 50+

WASHINGTON, July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What are the top places

to live in for boomers 50+ looking for a great community to retire in? AARP

The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine, today unveiled its

annual list of the top five places to live in the U.S. with Atlanta, Beacon

Hill in Boston, Chandler, Milwaukee and Portland nabbing the honors. 

The magazine also named the top four places to watch -- Austin, TX; Burlington,

VT; Mankato, MN; and Traverse City, MI -- in its September/October issue

which takes an in-depth, colorful look at why these areas rank highest and

are ideal for older residents. The selections were based on specific

criteria for what makes a community livable: new urbanism, smart growth,

mixed-use development, and easy-living standards.

"The places we chose are ahead of the curve in providing services for

empty nesters, active retirees, and everyone in between and we're thrilled

to recognize them for their efforts," said Steve Slon, editor of AARP The

Magazine. "City living may cost a bit more, but urban communities also

deliver peak value in the form of culture, work options, mass transit and

fitness opportunities, and this year's selections really cover the

spectrum."

AARP The Magazine's selections focus on livable community

characteristics in each location including mass-transit systems so

residents can drive less, expanded sidewalks to encourage walking, better

health care, and a wide range of mixed use housing. These qualities attract

members of the 50+ age group, a segment that spends more than $2.2 trillion

on goods and services each year and is expected to grow in size by 32

percent in the next 15 years.

AARP The Magazine's Top Five Cities to Live in for 2007:

    -- Atlanta, GA:  A sophisticated metropolis with southern charm, Atlanta

       offers abundant volunteer and cultural opportunities.  Retirees also

       appreciate the wide range of housing options.

    -- Beacon Hill in Boston, MA:  This historically genteel part of Boston is

       full of culture and great restaurants.  The Beacon Hill Village

       provides concierge style access to a network of support services for

       aging residents including transportation, healthcare and entertainment.

    -- Chandler, AZ:  Gracious desert living combined with an activist twist

       that encourages residents to get involved with the spirit of the town.

       A city climate and plenty of parks and open space provide ample

       recreation opportunities.

    -- Milwaukee, WI:  An example of urban renewal at its best, Milwaukee

       features picturesque river walks and affordable water-front living.

    -- Portland, OR:  European charm meets environmental nirvana in this

       environmentally progressive city.  50-plus residents love the miles of

       safe bike lanes and the revitalized Pearl District.

Additional information about this year's top selections can be found in

the September/October issue of AARP The Magazine or online at

http://www.aarpmagazine.org .

About AARP The Magazine

    With more than 30 million readers nationwide, AARP The Magazine

(http://www.aarpmagazine.org) is the world's largest-circulation magazine

and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. Reaching more

than 22.5 million households, AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive

content through in-depth celebrity interviews, health and fitness features,

consumer interest information and tips, book and movie reviews, and

financial guidance. Published bimonthly in print and continually online,

AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is the flagship title of AARP

Publications.

About AARP

    AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps

people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are

beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP

The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper;

AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA

Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website,

http://www.AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides

security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support

from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices

in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.

Virgin Islands.