http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/20/downturn-retirement-cities-forbeslife-cx_md_1020nesteggcities_slide.html?thisSpeed=20000

Real Estate
Cities Where Your Nest Egg Goes Farthest
Maurna Desmond, 10.20.08, 4:00 PM ET
A significant number of Americans will soon retire, but the economic downturn may be causing some to rethink how they'll spend their golden years.

Topping the list of second-act must haves? A place with affordable housing, low cost of living and decent job prospects.

That's what they'll find in Columbus, Ohio. This river city tops our list of cities where your nest egg goes farthest, thanks to reasonably priced housing relative to income and a 4.5% inflation rate that allows a buck to stretch a little further than other quickly growing areas. With tens of thousands of Ohio State Buckeyes, folks will enjoy the verve and energy that comes with a bustling college town.

In Depth: Cities Where Your Nest Egg Goes Farthest
Texas also welcomes retirees. Dallas and Houston ranked second and fourth, respectively. A warm climate and growing economies make both of these spots great places to live up your golden years. Each city can brag about latter-year employment possibilities for the enterprising type; that's because 20% of those 65 and over collect a weekly paycheck.

Minneapolis, Minn., ranked third. The South made a strong showing with No. 9 Atlanta and No. 10 Nashville, Tenn.
Behind the Numbers
To find the best areas in the U.S. for a sustainable and exciting second act, we ranked the 40 largest Census-defined metropolitan statistical areas and looked at cost of living factors like housing affordability and inflationary pressures. All our data was provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the U.S. Census.

With a growing number of retirees planning on continuing to work or start a second career, we also factored in the number of persons over 65 who are currently employed.

To get a pulse on what retirees are thinking based on where they flock, we looked at net migration for persons over 65. To get a feel for how they fare in their community, we looked at what percent of people living below the poverty level are in their golden years.

Finally, with retirees living longer and health a top priority, we included the number of doctors per capita, as well as the number of citizens tapping their Medicare benefits per thousand people--an important issue for those 65 and older.

The Census in August reported that by 2030, nearly one in five U.S. residents is expected to be 65 and older. By 2050, this silver-haired crowd is expected to increase to 88.5 million, more than doubling the 38.7 million currently. What's more, the 85 and older population is expected to more than triple, from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050.

Most in this burgeoning demographic will want--and need--to make their dollars stretch as much as possible. This relates to longer life expectancy and shorter savings among baby boomers as much as it relates to suddenly slimmer nest eggs.

Top Spots
Cynthia Rickman, a spokesperson for the Columbus Department of Development, says Columbus attracts retirees because the community is walkable and has a low-cost of living. What's more, empty nesters are migrating in droves from the suburbs to the city's recently revitalized downtown....

...It was former U.S President Calvin Coolidge who said, "There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means."

Most important, make sure that no matter where you retire, sticking to your budget won't get in the way of living your life the way you want to.

No. 10 Nashville, Tenn.
With a population of 1,486,695, this city came in at No. 9 for affordable housing. It was also one of our Best Places for Business in 2007. Add in pleasant weather and all the benefits a community derives from a top-notch university like Vanderbilt, and you've got a fine place to retire.

No. 9 Atlanta, Ga.
This southern city isn't just for young singletons and families. In terms of net migration among people over 65, Atlanta ranked No. 3 with droves of older Americans picking this affordable and desirable place to spend their golden years.

No. 8 St. Louis, Mo.
Meet me in St. Louis. Seriously. Greater St. Louis is growing fast and with good reason. Affordable housing and sluggish inflation (just 3.2% in June 2008) make this is a great place to retire.

No. 7 Denver, Colo.
A Rocky Mountain retirement will involve outdoor living, a vibrant nightlife and a manageable cost of living. Denver, one of Forbes.com's Best Cities for Singles, attracts people of all ages making it a good long-term bet for retirees who want to ensure that they are settling somewhere with a bright future.

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No. 6 Indianapolis, Ind.
This Midwestern city ranked No. 1 for housing affordability relative to income and No. 8 for inflation. Students from Purdue and Indiana University share a campus in town and provide youthful vibrancy, while Colts fans up the energy even further, making this a reasonably priced and lively place to retire.

No. 5 Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah's capital is growing fast. With nearly 16 doctors per thousand people--far above the national average--retirees can be reassured by the cluster of medical professionals and facilities nearby. With a median age of 30, retirees may not blend in, but they can be sure that economic growth is ahead.

No. 4 Houston, Texas
Forbes.com's Best Place to Buy a Home is, not surprisingly, a great place to retire. With tax revenues flowing from the oil and alternative energy industries centered there and a bustling tech scene, retirees won't need to worry that they are settling into a place on the slide. Throw in affordable housing and sunny weather, and Houston is a great place to begin again.

No. 3 Minneapolis, Minn.
This twin city has a reputation for big city arts and nightlife, but it can accommodate a retiree's fixed budget. While the winter may be rough, the cost of living won't be.

No. 2 Dallas, Texas
Dallas has a robust economy, thanks to the many corporations headquartered in the city's center. With sunny weather, low taxes and Southern hospitality, this Texas town is a great place to retire.

No. 1 Columbus, Ohio
Home to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Midwestern Columbus has a low cost of living and affordable housing--seniors seem to get along just fine. More than a fifth of folks over 65 are employed, and that age group only constitutes 6% of persons living under the poverty level, which indicates that independent living is en vogue in this river city.