Athens One Of Forbes' Best Places To Retire

ATHENS, GA -- Affordable housing, cost of living, warm temperatures and a bustling university.

Those are some of the factors that made Athens, once again, one of Forbes magazine's Best Places To Retire for 2016.

"Located 70 miles east of Atlanta in the rolling Piedmont of northeast Georgia, Athens is a classic college town," Forbes wrote. "It is anchored by the University of Georgia, which provides substantial learning and cultural opportunities."

Warm temperatures, good air quality, a thriving local economy, low amount of serious crime and the ample number of local doctors also were cited by the magazine.

This year's Forbes top 25 retirement communities were located in 19 states across four time zones.

It skews toward places with warm to moderate climates. Forbes studied 500 communities to come up with its list.

Forbes notes that, with the aging of Baby Boomers, there may be more interest in retirement now than ever before.

Last year, the magazine writes, there were 57 million Boomers 55 or older. By 2020, then the youngest Boomers have passed 55, that number will reach 71 million.

"Retirement represents a period of change. For most people, that means less income, but more time to do what they choose," Forbes writes. "One logical response to both: move to a place with lower costs and attractive lifestyle features–such as good weather, rich cultural and educational offerings, and ample opportunities to stay physically active and to engage in volunteer work."

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)