Top 10 Small Cities in America For Seniors (10,000-50,000 Residents)

Throughout the United States, there are numerous small cities that provide their residents with the best of all worlds. These small cities are large enough to be packed with amenities and things to do, yet small enough to still have that home town feel. For seniors looking for the right small city, with anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 residents, there are countless communities across the country that not only provide seniors with the right-size city, but with plenty of senior-friendly perks as well.

For aging adults looking for an inviting small city that is truly designed to meet the needs of today's seniors, these charming towns are worth a look. Here are the ten best small cities in America for seniors today:

1. Paradise Valley, AZ

While the state of Arizona may be known, in general, for being senior-friendly, the town of Paradise Valley is a true gem for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years. This small city earned the top ranking on the SeniorScore™ tool, thanks to great health and safety amenities and recreation and leisure opportunities for seniors.

The city scored higher than the country's average and the state of Arizona when it comes to livability. Situated in the shadows of the Phoenix Mountains and just minutes to posh Scottsdale, this small city has something for everyone. Plus, with plenty of healthcare options, pharmacies and Medicare physicians nestled around the community, seniors can also take advantage of plenty of healthcare options in this community.

For seniors looking for assisted living care, they can expect to pay fairly average prices for their continuing care. In fact, the average adult daycare costs in the area are just $19,890 per year, on average.

There is a high percentage of seniors living in Paradise Valley and these seniors can take advantage of plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warm Arizona weather, including access to 161 golf courses and 25 area parks. Thanks to the city’s location near the mountains, there are also plenty of famous hiking trails in the city that can keep any senior active.

2. San Marino, CA

In sunny San Marino, California, seniors can enjoy a number of great health and recreation benefits, all that make life in this small city more enjoyable for older adults. Dozens of home health care providers, hospitals and assisted living communities in the area all make this California town very senior-friendly, especially when compared to the high cost of living in this area.

Seniors can also enjoy a community with very low property crime and violent crimes, and countless amenities ranging from local shopping, parks and museums. Benefits like this are perhaps why members of the San Marino community live on average to age 80.8, as opposed to the national average of 78.6 years old.

Access to amenities, fabulous weather and a luxurious reputation, makes this one of our top small cities in the United States for seniors. These older adults can take advantage of these everyday amenities or visit some of the historic sites in this Beverly Hills suburb, such as the world famous Hunington Library and gardens or the Edwin Hubble house, both of which are great places for seniors and their loved ones to visit.

3. Clifton, VA

Charming Clifton, Virginia scored higher on the SeniorScore™ tool than the average city in the United States and the state of Virginia as a whole. This high ranking comes in part due to the number of healthcare options available in the area. Clifton is about more than just hospitals or access to Medicare physicians, it is about the local parks, shopping and quaint restaurants and cafes.

Another great benefit of calling this town home is the affordable assisted living costs. Seniors looking to take advantage of some of these senior living facilities can expect low assisted living costs of just $28,800 per year and low home healthcare, nursing home and adult daycare costs, all of which come in well below the national average cost of care.

Seniors also have access to plenty of recreation and leisure opportunities. Unlike the rest of surrounding Northern Virginia, this area is very rural, and there are lots of parks, trails and opportunities to enjoy nature in this area. This means seniors can enjoy plenty of hiking and walking opportunities, play a few rounds of golf or just sit out and enjoy the mild Virginia weather in this charming historic town.

4. Leawood, KS

The small city of Leawood, Kansas features Midwestern values and a welcoming community that many seniors love to call home. This is perhaps why Leawood has such as a high percentage of seniors in their small city.

In Leawood, health and safety features such as low crime rates, plenty of pharmacies, a large number of Medicare doctors and hospitals all make this a safe place for seniors to call home. The area is also home to 157 senior living facilities and a very high number of home healthcare providers. The cost of this care is typically quite low when compared to the national average. In fact, the average senior can enjoy nursing home care for just $61,000 per year, which is much lower than it is in other communities across the country.

Seniors also have plenty of opportunity for fun in Laewood. Pleasant year round temperatures, 75 golf courses, and plenty of shops, malls, restaurants and museums all help ensure that Laewood seniors are always staying active. Plus, seniors can also join one of the town's 204 gyms or 392 area churches to really start feeling at home.

5. Prairie Village, KS

Another Kansas charmer on our list of top senior-friendly small cities is Prairie Village. Scoring higher on our scale, than the rest of the state and the rest of the country, it is easy to see why this small city is such a haven for Midwestern seniors. This low-crime city is filled with doctors, hospitals and a fun location situated just minutes away from the infamous Kansas City Plaza.

As for homecare options, there are a large number of home healthcare providers in the Prairie Village area, with many of these assisted living homes, nursing homes, adult daycare facilities and home healthcare services costing much lower than average, when compared to the rest of the country.

The city is a little more dense than other towns in Kansas, meaning seniors who enjoy a little more hustle and bustle will feel right at home in Prairie Village. Plus, with 43 malls, 334 grocery stores and 204 gyms and health clubs in the area, running everyday errands is always easy. While seniors may be close to the perks of city life, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors including dozens of parks and recreational attractions such as the Plaza Tennis Center and Jacob L. Loose Park both of which are great for seniors whenever they need a little fun in the sun.

6. Colleyville, Texas

In Colleyville, Texas senior residents can not only enjoy warm weather and mild winters, but plenty of other perks that can make their golden years even more fun. This small city ranks highly when compared to the rest of the country due to its low amount of crime, and large number of pharmacies, Medicare doctors and hospitals.

Seniors who are ready for some outdoor fun will find complete access to everything from golf courses and parks to inviting church congregations and welcoming gyms. This community is located just minutes from Fort Worth, meaning seniors have access to everything the larger city has to offer.

Those looking for senior living facilities will find there are 169 communities within close proximity of the area and plenty of home healthcare providers as well. These costs are relatively low or average when compared to national costs, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors looking to stay on budget with their care.

7. Fort Thomas, KY

In the welcoming southern town of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, seniors can expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather. With 51 outdoor parks including the California Woods Natural Preserve and 96 golf courses, there is never a shortage of activities in Fort Thomas. While there are already plenty of amenities in this small city, seniors can also take advantage of the growing downtown district, which has seen a major resurgence in the past few years, bringing even more activities for older adults.

This small city has a low property and violent crime rate, along with nearly 150 senior living facilities and plenty of home healthcare providers. The average costs of these types of senior living are very low compared to national averages. In fact, the average assisted living costs in this Kentucky community average just $27,693 per year.

Those looking to settle into this small city can not only enjoy affordable senior living amenities, but they can also join one of the 448 churches and 118 gyms in the area, which will have them feeling right at home in no time.

8. Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Seniors who want to enjoy the beautiful sunny California can head to the charming small city of Rancho Santa Fe, where crime rates are low and the life expectancy of residents is high. Known for its location near the mountains, fun hiking trails and stunning weather, this is one community that outdoor-lovers won’t ever want to leave.

Seniors interested in these communities can find that assisted living costs are on-track with the total cost of living in the area. This community is located within the greater San Diego metropolitan area, providing seniors with access to all this large city has to offer. However, this sunny California community still has a personality of its own. Take in nature at the famous Flower Fields, stroll through the desert, or visit the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market, all of these senior-friendly amenities are right in the heart of the community.

When it is time for seniors in Rancho Santa Fe to get out and have a little fun, they will find there are dozens of malls, movie theaters, shops, restaurants, parks and museums in the area. This includes plenty of parks and opportunities to take advantage of the beautiful weather. This is perhaps why there is a very high population, 42%, of seniors living in this small city.

9. Fairfax Station, VA

Fairfax Station, Virginia is known for its small-town charm and for its many amenities that all can make any senior feel comfortable. There are over 115 senior living facilities along with a high number of home healthcare providers in this small Virginia city, and plenty of senior-friendly amenities that make this charming historic city an engaging place to call home.

The mild year-round weather encourages many seniors in this area to spend lots of time outdoors. There are countless parks, golf courses, walking trails and public gardens. With all of these features, it is easy to see why so many seniors call this community home.

For seniors looking to take advantage of the different living options in the area, they will find that the cost of these communities is quite affordable. Home healthcare costs, adult daycare, nursing homes and assisted living costs are all well below the national average. In fact, adult daycare costs are just $15,600 per year in this community.

10. Oakton, VA

In Oakton, Virginia, easy access to Medicare physicians, local hospitals and more than 119 senior living facilities, all make this community a popular place for seniors to call home.

Seniors looking to settle down in one of these, or other assisted living communities, they will find the average costs of senior living is quite affordable. However, there is more than just affordable assisted living communities in this Virginia town. Residents can explore the charming historic places that make this community so unique. From museums to historic homes, parks and walking trails, there is never a shortage of things to do in Oakton.

Oakton isn’t just a fun and safe city for seniors, it is also a charming town in northern Virginia that is great for those who want access to big city life. Located just 15 miles from Washington D.C., seniors can easily make their way to the nation’s capital and explore the amenities and monuments that the city has to offer.