The 10 Best Cities To Retire In The U.S.

Whether or not you're ready to retire, you've at least daydreamed about the day you'll stop punching the clock and start enjoying the life of leisure.

But have you ever thought about where exactly you'll live once you retire? While warm weather and pleasant scenery should definitely play a role in your decision, there are other important factors you should consider, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Based on the report's criteria — which included things like housing affordability, the happiness index, quality of health care, retiree taxes, job market and desirability — these are the best 10 cities to live in as a retiree.

Sarasota, Florida, ranked No. 1 on the list, with a few wild cards also in the top 10, including Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and McAllen, Texas. If you're looking to make the most out of your retirement, check out the top 10 retirement cities below, or see if your city is one of the top 100 places for retirees to live here.

1. Sarasota, FL

Thanks to its warm weather, gorgeous beaches and burgeoning art scene, this Florida city ranked first on the list.

2. Lancaster, PA

While Lancaster is known for its tranquil and expansive farmland, you can also seek out picturesque suburbs or more bustling city life, and its low retiree taxes and good health care make it an appealing town for retirees.

3. San Antonio, TX

Big-city attractions paired with a laid-back atmosphere make San Antonio an appealing place to live after retirement.

4. Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is the second largest metro area in Michigan, but you'd never know it based on its small-town charm. It's also an incredibly scenic place to live, as it sits on the Grand River, (Michigan's longest waterway).

5. El Paso, TX

Sure, you can get a delicious steak while sporting a cowboy hat in this south Texas town, but you can also head to plenty of festivals including the Hueco Rock Rodeo or the KLAQ International Balloonfest, or take to the great outdoors for marathons and bike races.

6. McAllen, TX

El Paso is not the only Texas city favored among the retiree group. McAllen boasts a high quality of life and plenty of medical facilities. Located on the southernmost tip of Texas, El Paso also has ideal weather during the winter months.

7. Daytona Beach, FL

Its strong fishing, golfing and NASCAR scene makes Daytona Beach a popular place for retirees to unwind, but the city also has a robust cultural scene, with plenty of museums, theaters and restaurants to keep life there interesting.

8. Pittsburgh, PA

Long gone are the days of Pittsburgh's steel mills. The city now has "more acres of park per capita and trees per square mile than any other major U.S. metro area," according to the U.S. News & World Report. It also has a relatively affordable housing market and a constantly improving quality of life.

9. Austin, TX

While Austin has been gaining in popularity amongst the younger crowd, retirees are also fans of the city's lively music, culinary scene and mild weather.

10. Washington, DC

The nation's capital scored high marks on its quality of healthcare relative to the rest of the country. It also has an extensive public transit system along with top restaurants and plentiful cultural sites.

First Photo: Joshua Peacock/Unsplash