Best Cities for Retirement: Survey Says Bethesda, Rockville

A financial website has given high ratings to Bethesda and Rockville as retirement communities, ranking them among the best in the nation.

Bethesda ranks #2 and Rockville ranks #3 in a survey conducted by SmartAsset of the best 25 cities in the U.S. for an active retirement. To compile its list, SmartAsset said it analyzed census data "on two principal features of U.S. cities: overall retirement friendliness and compatibility with an active lifestyle."

The list emphasizes the benefits of an active retirement, touting exercise as a way to prevent heart disease and allow retirees to pursue passions like golf or sailing.

SEE ALSO:

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Wilmington, in Delaware, ranked as #1 on tne list, as SmartAsset cited the state's tax advantages, such as the lack of a sales tax. The city also is "very walkable, especially in the downtown area," another attraction for senior citizens.

Bethesda wins praise in the rankings for its well-educated population and its concentration of golf courses, while Rockville is praised for its concentration of doctor's offices, along with its parks, rivers and lakes.

To see the complete list from SmartAsset, please click here.