Quiz: Where Should I Retire?

1. What kind of home do you envision yourself living in?

A) A modest condo, windows open 24/7

B) A cozy rental apartment

C) A two-story colonial worthy of an HGTV special

D) A well-appointed log cabin, deer heads optional

E) Something a lot like my current home

2. What’s your biggest fear about retirement?

A) Not being able to relax

B) Becoming bored

C) Moving away from family and friends

D) Lack of physical health

E) The departure from the familiar

3. How do you stay active?

A) Swimming, sailing, and long strolls with the wind in my hair

B) Pilates, zumba, and jazzercise at a deluxe gym facility

C) Water aerobics, power walking, and gardening ‘til I drop

D) HIKING. Full stop.

E) My day-to-day activities are enough of a fitness program.

4. How important is cost of living to you?

A) Somewhat important. We’re pretty comfortable.

B) Not important. Money is no object.

C) Important. A moderately priced area is ideal.

D) I don't really think about it. I don’t have an extravagant lifestyle.

E) Very important. It’s unclear how much cash I’ll have saved in retirement.

5. What’s your favorite kind of cuisine?

A) Seafood, like fried clams

B) Japanese Fusion, like a mango tuna sushi roll

C) New American, like a Kobe burger

D) Locally caught or grown anything, like trout

E) Comfort Food, like my turkey chili

6. What activity would you enjoy doing with your grandchildren most?

A) Building a sand castle!

B) Attending a play!

C) Hitting the harvest festival!

D) Exploring a forest!

E) Baking a cake!

7. How would you like to get around?

A) Boat. So relaxing!

B) Public transportation. So convenient!

C) Honda CRV. So roomy!

D) Jeep Wrangler and/or on foot. So rugged!

E) My trusty 2007 Ford Focus. So reliable!

8. What kind of medical care do you require?

A) I’d like decent physicians and health aides who live in the area year-round.

B) I want major medical centers and the best doctors in the world.

C) I need a good variety of specialists and practices staffed by local medical professionals.

D) I’m in great health; holistic healing and a few good doctors are sufficient.

E) I hesitate to leave my GP of 25 years.

9. Who would you like as neighbors?

A) Fellow retirees and tourists

B) A diversity of people from all over the world

C) Young professionals, middle-class families, and empty nesters

D) Owls, bears, and maybe a cactus

E) My current neighbors are great. (Except you, Mr. Pinkerton.)

10. What pace of living appeals to you most?

A) I want to be as relaxed as possible at all times.

B) I need to be in the center of it all. Hustle and bustle are crucial.

C) I crave a balanced mix of lively activity and calm downtime.

D) I don’t mind being social, but am happiest in calm natural environments.

E) The one I have now; I’ve perfected a comfortable routine over the years.

Tally up your score! How’d you do?

Mostly As:

You got BEACHY PARADISE.

Chock full of sun, sand, and seaside activities, a coastal community is right for your retirement. Add in good weather and a laid-back vibe, and you may as well start packing.

Try: Virginia Beach, Fort Myers, the California coastline

Mostly Bs:

You got CITY CENTER.

Parking your buns in a hammock sounds like a big bummer to you, Nana. You want to go where there's food, entertainment, and people, people, PEOPLE. City life it is, then.

Try: Austin, Minneapolis, Boise

Mostly Cs:

You got IDYLLIC SMALL TOWN or SUBURB.

Extremes of experience aren't your bag, but you dig the occasional hike or trendy restaurant. A tree-lined town offers this, plus cozy single-family homes to celebrate the holidays.

Try: Maple Valley (WA), Ithaca (NY), Prairieville (LA)

Mostly Ds:

You got OUTDOORSY UTOPIA.

Peace, good health, and a back-to-basics way of life are what you crave, Grandma. Nature beckons. Answer its call.

Try: Denver, Burlington, Tucson

Mostly Es:

You got YOUR CURRENT HOME.

Not to burst your bubble, but you seem perfectly comfortable in your existing space. Until you have a strong urge to relocate (and get your affairs in order), we recommend staying put.