5 Best Cities for Retirees*

TAMPA BAY, FLA.

BEST CITY FOR RETIREES

Population: 2,596,556
Cost-of-Living Index: 101 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 26.7%
Bohemian Indicator: 100
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 17.2%

This is Florida's finest venue to kick start a second or third act. The community actively welcomes retirees who want to get involved with creative, ecological, business -- you name it -- projects. The cultural scene is rich with performing arts venues, and it has outstanding healthcare facilities.

PITTSBURGH

BEST CITY FOR RETIREES

Population: 2,314,937
Cost-of-Living Index: 95 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 29.8%
Bohemian Indicator: 95
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 15.8%

Pittsburgh? Yes, the former steel city not only is picturesque -- built on green hills -- but also is very affordable and filled with museums, great restaurants, and interesting neighborhoods. Best of all for retirees, its economy now is driven by "eds and meds." This combination of education and medical facilities means plenty of health-care options and opportunities for continuous learning.

HARRISBURG, PA.

BEST CITY FOR RETIREES

Population: 500,356
Cost-of-Living Index: 103 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30.6%
Bohemian Indicator: 67
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 14.2%

The broad, beautiful and languid Susquehanna River sets the atmosphere for this central Pennsylvania city, but the area is anything but dull for retirees. It has a symphony orchestra, museums, plenty of golf -- and good health care and a reasonable cost of living.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA.

BEST CITY FOR RETIREES

Population: 374,713
Cost-of-Living Index: 103 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 27%
Bohemian Indicator: 81
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 18.9%

They don't call this slice of Florida the Treasure Coast for nothing. It is nicely, not overly, developed and boasts two rivers as well as beachfront. If you want to improve your golf game, there's the PGA learning center nearby. And you're less than an hour away from Palm Beach and less than two hours from Miami.

ROANOKE, VA

BEST CITY FOR RETIREES

Population: 279,269
Cost-of-Living Index: 92 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 27.6%
Bohemian Indicator: 88
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 16.6%

Set near the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia, Roanoke is a small city with big doses of scenery and festivals that bring the community together. It's known for its Chili Cook-Off, Local Colors Festival, Henry Street Festival and Strawberry Festival. It also is a health-care and economic center.

*The publisher would strike the two cities in PA, if for no other reason that the weather.  Looks like the choice this winter will be eat or freeze.