Affordable?

I can't wait to retire here! Some days I simply can't wait to retire!

Boone North Carolina is on the top ten list—and it’s a good list.  The Chicago Tribune has jointly published with US News & World Report its top ten list of affordable mountain communities to retire to, and Boone is number 3 nationally.  The report cites senior amenities, such as free public transportation—our AppalCart—good medical care, and just enough size to provide for other amenities.

Boone is behind Blacksburg, Virginia at number one, and Bend Oregon.  Only three of the cities, including Boone and Blacksburg, are on the east coast.  The Trib’s list:

1. Blacksburg, Va.

2. Bend, Ore.

3. Boone, N.C.

4. Bozeman, Mont.

5. Burlington, Vt.

6. Colorado Springs, Colo.

7. Fayetteville, Ark.

8. Post Falls, Idaho

9. Redding, Calif.

10. Salt Lake City

via www.goblueridge.net

Note that the "top 10" list, as reported by the local radio station, is in (almost) alphabetical order. Boone is actually listed 4th in the "10 best" slide show behind Redding, Blacksburg and Bend. And affordable? Ask the Fall 2010 crop of ASU assistant professors that question.