Cedar Rapids makes list of top 10 places to retire

Elaine Young retired and moved to Cottage Grove Place at the beginning of the year. She has family in other parts of the country but after spending much of her adult life in Cedar Rapids, she wanted to stay.

"Cedar Rapids is a really nice place," the 76-year-old said. "You've got anything that you might be interested in."

Young isn't alone in the city's appeal to retirees. Livability.com recently named Cedar Rapids among the top 10 best places to retire in the country.  The city placed ninth on the list, behind Birmingham, Ala. but beating Syracuse, New York. Cincinnati snagged first.

The website said Cedar Rapids "offers a dynamic atmosphere that provides residents a vibrant arts scene, easy access to pristine outdoor amenities and top-notch health care."

The area houses more than 10 retirement and assisted living communities within 25 miles of the city, according to the website, which ranks cities as places to live, work and visit.

The National Czech and Slovak Museum, the Paramount Theatre, Hawkeye Downs and the area's festivals were among some of the places and activities highlighted in the profile along with the area's colleges and several of it's large employers.

"If the only factor in your retirement planning is playing golf on a daily basis, your choices are pretty clear," said Matt Carmichael, the website's editor, in a news release. "But for everyone else, we wanted to put together a list of great cities that have more to offer than green grass and easy tee times. Not everyone moves when they retire, but for those who do, here are 10 cities and town to consider."

Cedar Rapids also placed 30 on the website's 1oo Best Places to Live for 2014.

Young spent the past 50 years as a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital and said now retired she often goes to the symphony  and theatre productions throughout the area. Young said in addition to Cedar Rapids music scene, it's only 30 miles away from Iowa City, another cultural destination, which is an added bonus.

Young said she started to notice a lot of change and growth following the Floods of 2008.

"The flood really helped (the city) invest the time and energy to start changing the city," she said.

Lenette Passman,83, and 92-year-old Merrill Ludvigson, long-time friends and residents of Cottage Grove Place, said they couldn't imagine living in other places as Cedar Rapids provides their large community of friends with a number of activities.

Passman said the Midwest town offers more than just things to do.

"We get four seasons," she said of the changing seasons.

Top 10 Best Places to Retire for 2013:

1. Cincinnati, OH

2. St. Louis, MO

3. Baton Rouge, LA

4. Provo, UT

5. Pittsburgh, PA

6. Roanoke, VA

7. Knoxville, TN

8. Birmingham, AL

9. Cedar Rapids, IA

10. Syracuse, NY