Oregon

Portland tops list of “quirky” retirement cities

AARP has compiled a list of the 10 perfect places that dance to their own beat-just like you:
1. Portland, OR
All the accolades, popularity and an IFC television show dedicated to the city, haven’t altered what makes Portland special: The place is quirky to the core. Fueling this extended reign are, foremost, the type of people the city draws — creative, free-spirited, stridently alternative — and a well-supported slew of edgy local businesses.
2. Austin, TX
Long a traditional oasis of liberal edginess, originality remains a badge of pride in Austin, as do progressive political stances, green living, large and convenient parks, and artsy festivals.
3. Boulder, CO
The offbeat crowd mixes well with the town’s many college kids, and they all enjoy abundant sunshine and proximity to a vast mountain playground.
4. Ulster County, N.Y.
The county is a funky string of artist-haven villages edged by vast swaths of bear-haven mountains, and strung prettily along the Hudson River. Of special note to retirees: Residents age 59 1/2 and older can take $20,000 a year from qualified pensions free of state income taxes, and all pensions are tax-free for retired military and government workers.
5. Providence, R.I.
The salt air may not cure all but it gives people who are prone to whimsy — like retirees! — an excellent excuse to throw caution to the wind.
For the rest of the list, please visit http://www.aarp.org/home-family/livable-communities/info-04-2012/great-quirky-places-to-retire.1.html