AARP's Great Towns To Live In (2026 edition) Quiz

Answer: Winterset, Iowa

Robert James Waller was inspired to write his book after a trip to photograph Madison County's covered bridges, of which Winterset is the main town, centrally located among the six remaining covered bridges. Winterset is home to the Iowa Quilt Museum and many other antique shops. The cost of living in Winterset is lower than the national average. The Madison County Health Care System functions under the auspices of the MercyOne network of health care facilities.

Answer: Tucson

Tucson has the beauty of a southwest desert along with that 860-acre ecological preserve and National Historic Landmark just west of the city. Average monthly housing cost and the median home price in Tucson is much lower than Phoenix, for example.

Answer: Orlando

It is a small city, in the lower-middle tier population-wise, but it's significantly larger than Florida's tiniest towns. Longwood is just north of Orlando, and is thus close to many sports and entertainment centers as well as health care facilities. The nonprofit organization "Be The Change Today" caters to the needs of older folk. The fact that Longwood is far enough inland to be less susceptible to hurricane damage means its home owners insurance isn't as expensive as in coastal towns.

Answer: Mall of America

Located only three miles from Richfield, Mall of America is one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in the United States, and even has an indoor amusement park. Richfield also has Wood Lake Nature Center (trails, boardwalks, an interpretive center, a natural playground, birdwatching, wildlife viewing), Augsburg Adventure Park, and Veterans Memorial Park with an 18-hole golf course. The town's Livability Score is 64, and its average monthly housing cost is quite low.

Answer: Savannah, Georgia

You'll find that location in Chippewa Square, and there are so many small parks just like it scattered almost all throughout Savannah. It's a nice walking city, and I'd also recommend the various tours through the historic cemeteries there. The waterfront is very quaint, and you must go eat at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room for family-style Southern cooking, where you share a table with other customers. Very friendly and unforgettable. The Livability Score is 55, and the average monthly housing cost is a very low, despite it being a coastal city which usually has a higher cost.

The Savannah Memorial Health Hospital is also highly rated.

Answer: Pennsylvania

With a population classifying it as a Third Class City, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's municipalities, Easton is larger than most small towns but still far smaller than Pennsylvania's major metropolitan centers.

Easton, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1752, at the foot of the Lehigh Valley. The scenic riverside Scott Park overlook above a dam is a popular local spot, and it also has an amphitheatre and band shell where they hold free concerts in the summer. There's a playground, a boat launch, trails, fishing, a picnic area, a farmer's market, and events are held such as Riverfest, the Heritage Day & Strawberry Festival, various weekend local culture festivals, and the popular Easton Witches' Walk Festival every Halloween. And then there's downtown where Easton is home to the Crayola Crayon factory, including its interactive experience at the Crayola Museum.

Livability Score is 64, and average monthly housing cost is quite low.

Answer: Sheridan, Wyoming

While Polson, Garden City, and Glenrock, are rated among the worst cities in their respective states to live in, due to having the highest crime rates, Sheridan, Wyoming has a strong sense of community, historic sites, plenty of outdoor leisure activity, a low average monthly living cost very reasonable, and a Livability Score of 64. Sheridan Memorial Hospital there is a modern facility placing particular importance on obstetrics, oncology and cardiology.

Answer: Montpelier, Vermont

Located in the Green Mountains, the Winooski River runs through Montpelier, a town with terrific hiking trails and skiing. And in summertime, swimming holes abound. The North Branch Nature Center has 28 acres of woodlands and meadows. Culture abounds too in Montpelier as the town has its own chamber orchestra, and an art house cinema (where have they all gone?-we used to have so many in NYC!) called the Savoy. Health-wise, the Central Vermont Medical Center is a highly respected part of the University of Vermont Health Network.

Answer: Harahan, Louisiana

Harahan, Louisiana is also close to the New Orleans Museum of Art. Whereas the other three cities listed had low Livability Scores from 39 to 44, Harahan's is 51, with contributing factors such as its SafeWise rank as the second safest city in the state with low rates of both violent and property crime. Also, its average monthly housing cost is very low. Proximity to top-tier medical facilities is a key factor for older adults. Harahan is close to the Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans, which U.S. News & World Report ranked as the best hospital in Louisiana for 14 consecutive years.

Answer: Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington is the only one of those cities that's in between St. Louis and Chicago, and as such is served by the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, and its variety of support programs, and the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for Medicare counseling. Bloomington's average monthly housing cost is a decent $1,200. Its 2-3 proximity to Illinois State University makes many arts, entertainment, and sporting events available. Also nearby is the Activity and Recreation Center for older adults, offering programs and free services like tax assistance and health insurance counseling.