|
AARP The Magazine's Healthiest Hometowns
By Sarah Mahoney and Brad Edmondson, September & October 2008
|
MORE HEALTHY PLACES
These cities also get high marks for great living conditions and the vitality of their residents
Forty-one years ago the residents of Boulder undertook a bold experiment: they approved a referendum that raised the sales tax, to buy and manage parkland in and around the city. Since then, they have voted three more times to tax themselves for open-space protection. The result: 130 miles and 45,000 acres of open space and pristine wilderness at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—boosting tourism and attracting an influx of environment- and health-conscious residents.
It has also helped transform this city of 91,481 into one of the nation’s healthiest, with extremely low rates of smoking and obesity—it is the skinniest city we surveyed, with a BMI of 24.94—and high rates of healthy eating and regular exercise. In fact, the city has been called the Gore-Tex vortex because it has seen so many affluent transplants who are relentlessly dedicated to self-improvement.
| Population: | 91,481
|
| Median housing price: | $660,600
|
| Average number of sunny days: | 245 per year
|
| Healthy bragging rights: | This city is so fit, one of its main problems is managing biker-and-runner sprawl. The most recent BolderBoulder race had more than 54,000 participants, prompting a discussion of a possible cap on the number allowed to run. |
Charlottesville regularly makes it onto best-places lists for its scenery, culture, and history. Thomas Jefferson’s father was one of its founders; James Madison and James Monroe lived here, too. But what really sets the place apart is its strong focus on medicine. It ranks fourth among U.S. metropolitan areas in the number of physicians per capita, and it also makes the top ten for family-practice doctors, oncologists, and cardiologists. The most obvious reason is the University of Virginia’s medical school and 572-bed teaching hospital.
Of course, good medicine is critical when you’re sick. But Charlottesville also has a strong tradition of helping its residents stay healthy. When Susan Seidler, now 59, learned that her bones were losing density, she went to a midlife counselor, two nutritionists, and an exercise physiologist who helped her design a diet and exercise program to ward off osteoporosis.
Luckily for Seidler, it’s easy to get lots of exercise in Charlottesville. The city is in a natural bowl between the Blue Ridge and Southwest mountains. The Rivanna River runs around the city, and a network of trails parallels the river and climbs the hills.
| Population: | 40,315
|
| Median housing price: | $382,800
|
| Average number of sunny days: | 219 per year
|
| Healthy bragging rights: | Residents are not just the healthiest eaters on our list, they are also among the happiest, and most likely to say they are satisfied with their lives. |
Last year the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ranked Minnesota first in the nation for the overall quality of its health care. Minnesota is also the top-ranked state for residents covered by health insurance, at 91.5 percent. And despite its frequently inclement weather, the Minneapolis metro area ranks among the top ten in the country for share of residents who exercise regularly.
But those are just the numbers. Ask any Minnesotan why the Twin Cities area is a great place to live and you’ll get a litany of reasons, from its forward-thinking policies (the state was the first to designate smoke-free areas in restaurants, in 1975) to its many cultural offerings (which include the new Guthrie Theater on the Minneapolis waterfront) to its sense of community (four in ten residents do some kind of volunteer work, the highest rate in the nation).
“There is a can-do spirit here,” says Charlie Boone, 80, who has a weekly radio show at WCCO-Minneapolis. “It’s easy to stay healthy because it’s easy to stay connected.”
| Population: | 3,175,041
|
| Median housing price: | $308,000
|
| Average number of sunny days: | 200 per year
|
| Healthy bragging rights: | With 90 percent of households recycling, more than 80 green rooftops, and a nearly complete wireless network that extends city services everywhere, Minneapolis is redefining healthy livability. |
Spanning more than 100 miles, from the vineyards of Napa Valley to the Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area is famous for its natural beauty and free spirits. But it’s also a great place to be healthy after 50. Its residents are among the least likely in the country to be overweight. Plus, they are among the least likely to smoke.
One visit to the Bay Area and you can quickly see why the region fosters health and vitality. Densely populated, with lots of neighborhoods where residents can easily get around via foot, bicycle, or public transportation, the region also has a long history of people banding together to
improve services. Then there are the region’s world-famous medical centers, including those of Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco. And last year the city of San Francisco launched Healthy San Francisco, an initiative that offers free or subsidized health care to uninsured residents.
| Population: | 4,180,027
|
| Median housing price: | $825,500
|
| Average number of sunny days: | 263 per year
|
| Healthy bragging rights: | San Francisco’s pedestrians are treated to urban forestry, greenways, and plenty of public toilets, and the city is fierce in its environmental commitment. It was first to ban plastic bags, and it is now restricting plastic water bottles. |
Despite the area’s long building boom, Naples still deserves its real-estate nickname: Florida’s last paradise. At least 80 percent of Collier County’s land has been set aside as open space, protecting places such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park; biologists believe the Everglades is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators cohabitate.
The area has hung on to its small-town feel: its beaches and art scene (more than 134 galleries in the vicinity) are often voted tops in the nation. And for links lovers, it’s heaven: Naples–Marco Island has the second most golf holes per capita in the country. In our survey, residents got high scores for regular exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking, so it’s no surprise that the area also has one of the lowest cancer
mortality rates going.
The downside is high housing prices and a high cost of living. Naples has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis—but that means you might be able to find some bargains here.
| Population: | 314,649
|
| Median housing price: | $637,100
|
| Average number of sunny days: | 264 per year
|
| Healthy bragging rights: | Long walks on the beach pay off, as residents of this sunny spot score second highest on our longevity scale. |
ONLINE-EXTRA: THE RUNNERS-UP
Our top ten cities are great, but the following are impressive, too
Thanks to the boom in credit card jobs, Sioux Falls has blossomed in the past 20 years, and its healthy, educated residents are among the fittest in the country. Extensive bike trails circle the city, linking its 70 parks to the crown jewel: the waterfalls at Falls Park. And free trolley service makes using the downtown area fun and easy.
Population: 142,396
Median housing price: $159,500
Average number of sunny days: 211
Healthy bragging rights: Of our top-rated cities, Sioux Falls comes in number one for hospital beds and number two for teaching hospitals, on a per capita basis.
Okay, winters are cold and sleety, and housing is expensive. But residents love the area’s world-class arts, shopping, and restaurants. Walking and biking are easy, and the core of college students—some 250,000, attending more than 80 colleges—makes for one of the most educated addresses around; one in five persons is affiliated with higher education. Sports fans are fierce, whether worshiping at the feet of the Red Sox, New England Patriots, Celtics, or Bruins.
Population: 4,455,217
Median housing price: $479,700
Average number of sunny days: 205
Healthy bragging rights: Long known as America’s Walking City, Boston is home to the Freedom Trail, a fascinating 2.5-mile hike through history, offering cardio with a view of the old North Church (“One if by land…”) and Faneuil Hall.
A Prairie Home Companion fans already know St. Cloud as a spiritual neighbor to fictitious Lake Wobegon, but few others have heard just how livable this classic low-key, midwestern town is. Locals of St. Cloud—which is set along the banks of the Mississippi—treasure Munsinger Gardens, a 14-acre gem from the Works Progress Administration era, as well as the newer Clemens Garden. Residents have some of the lowest rates of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes in the country.
Population: 66,228
Median housing price: $192,300
Average number of sunny days: 196
Healthy bragging rights: Of our top-rated cities, St. Cloud scores highest for its residents’ getting regular exercise and routine health checkups—no wonder St. Cloud is number two in the stress-free category.
City, country, and coast combine in these suburban standouts. Residents also love having their feet in two worlds: set on the shores of lovely Long Island Sound, this area offers coastal New England charm, right down to the oysters, sailboats, and a rich Revolutionary War history; yet New York City is an easy commuter-train ride away.
Population: 900,440
Median housing price: $815,100
Average number of sunny days: 208
Healthy bragging rights: Loads of transportation alternatives keep these cities clean and accessible, with plenty of trains, buses, and a beautiful ferry.
For those who crave the sunny, outdoorsy life, this area offers plenty, what with its beautiful south-facing beaches, impressive Santa Ynez Mountains, hike-friendly Los Padres National Forest, and Channel Islands. But despite its California casual vibe, the area holds its own in sophistication, with restaurants and wine tastings that rival those in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Population: 400,335
Median housing price: $854,100
Average number of sunny days: 285
Healthy bragging rights: Long live the locavore (the noble soul who tries to eat a only locally grown food). Santa Barbara is on the cutting edge of the latest healthy (and chic) dining trend, based on the area’s legendary produce, fish, and wine.
Perfect for lake and mountain lovers, Burlington is the product of careful city planning and devoted environmentalism. It wins almost nonstop accolades for everything from its organic gardening to bike-friendly policies. But don’t hold those politically correct laurels against it—right next to the Green Mountains, it offers some terrific skiing and hiking. And Lake Champlain provides plenty of boating recreation. Home to the University of Vermont, Burlington attracts plenty of concerts and performances; it also offers an excellent array of health care options.
Population: 206,007
Median housing price: $329,800
Average number of sunny days: 161
Healthy bragging rights: Whether it’s putting up signs designating parking for seniors or families with small children or beefing up housing options for middle-class retirees, Burlington has taken a hands-on approach to helping people age on their own terms.
Even in a state known for clean living, the Provo–Orem region stands out as a lifestyle wonderland. It’s home to Brigham Young University, and the region offers top-notch health care. Plus, its outdoor recreational opportunities are unbeatable, whether residents prefer boating on nearby Utah Lake or playing at one of the 15 national parks, monuments, and recreation areas that are within a half-day’s drive. Sportsfishermen flock to the Provo River, famed for its rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout.
Population: 474,180
Median housing price: $360,300
Average number of sunny days: 232
Healthy bragging rights: Provo can trumpet its low per capita rate of fast-food joints.
This area on Maine’s rocky coast offers residents the perks of big-city life—great restaurants and plenty to do—on a small-city scale. Locals can picnic next to picture-perfect lighthouses, ride the ferries that crisscross Casco Bay, and choose from plenty of doctors. When the urge for adventure strikes, options include Maine’s parks and mountains, which beckon just a few hours north, or Boston, which is less than two hours south.
Population: 513,667
Median housing price: $312,200
Average number of sunny days: 205
Healthy bragging rights: Besides all the fresh-caught fish and wild blueberries available, these cities have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to reduce CO2 emissions. City-owned diesel vehicles run on a mix of vegetable-based biodiesel.
These cities win high marks for health, but even in these places, not everyone can afford quality health care. Join with AARP in a movement to bring affordable health care to all Americans. Speak up for change at
www.dividedwefail.org.
What’s not to love about a place that promises a mild climate and the Rocky Mountains in your backyard? This booming college town, home to Colorado State University, has plenty of nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. But most people move here to be near the mountains and the endless camping, hiking, skiing, and rafting options. Health care is good, but residents also like that Denver, with its major airport and hospitals, is less than 70 miles away.
Population: 276,253
Median housing price: $273,200
Average number of sunny days: 246
Healthy bragging rights: Among our top cities, Fort Collins came in number one in the emotional-support category—people here don’t just have good friends, they know they’re there for them.
For black-and-white reprints of this article call 866-888-3723.
Whether you're looking for a place to retire or simply seeking new surroundings, our interactive Location Scout—designed especially for AARP The Magazine readers—can help you find the perfect place. It's free and easy to use.
|
