AARP The Magazine's Healthiest Hometowns
By Sarah Mahoney and Brad Edmondson, September & October 2008
We all want to live long and be healthy. As it turns out, where you choose to live in the second half of your life can make all the difference. So, exactly what makes a city healthy? In doing our research, combing through the government records of hundreds of cities for more than 20 measures of vitality, we looked not only at the physical aspects of a community (clean air and water, for instance) but also at the health and habits of the people who live there. The two are closely linked: if you live near a hiking-and-biking trail and all your neighbors use it, you'll probably use it, too. If a farmers' market is just down the street, you're likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. If your city has multiple hospitals, there's a good chance you'll get superior medical care.
The winners? It's not surprising that our list includes several college towns. Large universities often have teaching hospitals, which employ top doctors using the latest technology. In addition, college towns are full of young people, and younger residents often create a demand for lifestyle perks such as bike paths and accessible fitness programs, which benefit all members of a community.
Few southern towns made our list, despite the warm weather and the relaxed pace of life that have long attracted retirees. Research has consistently shown that cities in the South tend to have some of the highest rates of obesity and chronic disease in the nation. Of course, there are always anomalies-and thank goodness for that, since the thought of retiring to a colder climate may have little appeal for some. Balmy Naples, Florida, came out high on our list, as did Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
10. NAPLES-MARCO ISLAND, FLORIDA
Despite the area's long building boom, Naples still deserves its real-estate nickname: Florida's last paradise. At least 80 percent of Collier County's land has been set aside as open space, protecting places such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park; biologists believe the Everglades is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators cohabitate.
The area has hung on to its small-town feel: its beaches and art scene (more than 134 galleries in the vicinity) are often voted tops in the nation. And for links lovers, it's heaven: Naples-Marco Island has the second most golf holes per capita in the country. In our survey, residents got high scores for regular exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking, so it's no surprise that the area also has one of the lowest cancer mortality rates going.
The downside is high housing prices and a high cost of living. Naples has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis-but that means you might be able to find some bargains here.
| Population: | 314,649 |
| Median housing price: | $637,100 |
| Average number of sunny days: | 264 per year |
| Healthy bragging rights: | Long walks on the beach pay off, as residents of this sunny spot score second highest on our longevity scale. |
To read the whole article.. visit -
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/healthiest_hometowns.html/page=1
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