Colorado Springs, Colorado

Nestled at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is an outdoor lovers’ haven—perfect for retirees seeking an active lifestyle. Not only are they surrounded by breathtaking views, adventure awaits in their backyard.  

The Rockies are teeming with trails for biking and bird-watching, and the city itself boasts more than 9,000 acres of parkland ranging from mesas and grasslands to foothills and canyons, plus 500 acres of trails. The nearby Pikes Peak region, home to a 14,000-foot summit, has more than 55 attractions. There’s the Garden of the Gods with its striking red rock formations and the Manitou Incline Trail, which includes a whopping 2,744 stairs.  

The area is supposed to get 300 sunny days a year, making these outdoor experiences even more enjoyable. Although the winter brings snow, it doesn’t usually linger thanks to all the sunshine.  

About an hour’s drive south of Denver, Colorado Springs offers a more feasible cost of living than the state’s capital. Housing prices are lower, with the average home value at $452,001 in Colorado Springs compared with $559,014 in Denver, per Zillow. The lifestyle here is quieter, but retirees are still close enough to the metro area and its bigger attractions like a Broncos game.

Though the Senior Center in Colorado Springs is currently undergoing a facelift, residents still have access to high-quality health care services, including the award-winning UCHealth Memorial Hospital and Penrose Hospital, a major health treatment and referral center specializing in cancer care, cardiac care, emergency trauma care, and physical rehab.