By: Sharon Aron Baron

A national senior housing referral service released their annual list of America’s top cities for retirement in 2019 and Coral Springs came out on top.

According to SeniorAdvice.com, this is the third annual list of best cities for seniors. This year they decided to focus solely on mid-sized cities since most retirees prefer less crowded places but still want a variety of resources available.

Those approaching retirement may begin thinking about the new decisions and opportunities presented during this stage of life. Factors like location and affordability are two major considerations. Housing, weather, activities and lifestyle, living costs, access to health care, and an environment supportive of aging adults are all important considerations when thinking about relocation later in life.

According to Census data, the U.S. senior population age 65 and over is currently 15.6 percent and is expected to rise to over 21 percent by the year 2050. Amenities sought after by older populations will be in demand in cities all across the nation for decades to come.

As senior populations continue to grow, every part of the country will become more senior-dominated, but some more than others. The list considers mid-sized cities, and they took into consideration several factors, including each city’s SeniorScore – the first livability index formulated specially for senior citizens. The SeniorScore rates each city in areas such as health and safety, finances, leisure and recreation, and general quality of life.

So why was Coral Springs #1? Located in the second-most populous county in Florida, the city of Coral Springs is centrally situated next to the Everglades National Forest and less than 30 minutes from Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.

They said that most appealing is that it is a relatively small town but has access to bigger cities nearby, without all of the traffic and crime. The city is considered to be one of the safest in Broward County and nationwide.

Spanning hundreds of acres of open space, Coral Springs has 50 city parks, the largest of which is Mullins Park which make Coral Springs an ideal location for nature-loving seniors.

Year-round weather complement the outdoor activities – like a visit to the city’s iconic landmarks such as the steel 40-foot Covered Bridge. The annual Festival of Arts at The Walk and unique shopping and dining destinations give Coral Springs its unique charm.

Residents ages 65 and older make up 10.5 percent of the population in Coral Springs. The city has expanded in its diversity over the last several decades, with nearly 30 percent of residents being foreign-born, and almost 40 percent identifying as non-white.

Top 20 mid-sized cities in America for seniors in 2019:

1. Coral Springs, Florida
2. Glendale, Arizona
3. Eugene, Oregon
4. Provo, Utah
5. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
6. Manchester, New Hampshire
7. Boise, Idaho
8. Aurora, Colorado
9. Norfolk, Virginia
10. Akron, Ohio
11. St. Petersburg, Florida
12. Corpus Christi, Texas
13. Savannah, Georgia
14. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
15. Huntington Beach, California
16. Tulsa, Oklahoma
17. Madison, Wisconsin
18. Rockford, Illinois
19. Wichita, Kansas
20. Sioux Falls, South Dakota