These 2 Arizona cities were named top spots to retire in the West. Here's why
Parker and Lake Havasu City made Travel + Leisure magazine's 2025 list of best cities to retire in. There seemed to be a common theme among the cities named best to retire in: natural beauty. The most popular retirement cities boast tons of outdoor activities, perfect for people looking to breathe in the fresh air and take the road less traveled after years of work.
Travel + Leisure teamed up with Investopedia for "Destination: Retirement 2025," a comprehensive guide to the best cities in the United States for retirees. Editors with both publications factored in cost of living, proximity to major airports and access to quality health care to make their list.
Here are the cities in Arizona, the Southwest and the Western states that were featured.
Parker is a small town in western Arizona, located on the Colorado River near the border of California. Even though it's home to less than 4,000 residents, Parker is the largest town in La Paz County. The median home sold price is $315,000.
The desert beauty and proximity to outdoor excursions is Parker's main draw. When temperatures rise in the summer, you'll find visitors and locals swimming, tubing, paddle boarding and wakeboarding on the Colorado River. Hikers can hit the trails of nearby Buckskin Mountain State Park, and golfers often tee up at Emerald Canyon Golf Course.
While Parker is close to natural wonders such as Joshua Tree National Park, the downside to living there is the 100-mile distance away from international airports and major cities. For this reason, Parker might be best suited for the road-tripping retirees.
A Parker hidden gem: Arizona's most remote bar is closing soon. Here's how to visit one more time
Lake Havasu City is another great place for the outdoorsy folks to spend their retirement. Lake Havasu City is just north of Parker in Mohave County, also on the California border. The county's median monthly housing cost is $914, well below the monthly average.
Known as "Arizona's Playground," Lake Havasu City is popular for its assortment of fun, outdoor activities, like mountain biking, golfing, hiking, fishing, swimming and water sports. Retirees and spring breakers alike flock to the city for the long, sandy beaches — complete with more lighthouses than any other city in America — a unique getaway from the usual desert landscape.
The city also boasts one of the best downtown areas in Arizona, as well as historic landmarks. Mohave County has nine hospitals and 391 health care establishments, making Lake Havasu City a more accessible retirement town while still feeling remote.
According to Travel + Leisure, these are the best cities in the Southwestern United States to retire in because of their low taxes, quality healthcare and affordable cost of living.
Las Vegas, New Mexico
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Hugo, Oklahoma
Port Arthur, Texas
Eagle Pass, Texas
Longview, Texas
Parker, Arizona
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
These cities are perfect if you love the outdoors, according to Travel + Leisure.
Pocatello, Idaho
Butte-Silver Bow, Montana
Twin Falls, Idaho
Pomeroy, Washington
Omak, Washington
Great Falls, Montana
Carson City, Nevada
Evanston, Wyoming
Ontario, Oregon
Pueblo, Colorado
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Arizona cities were named top spots to retire in the West
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