AP
Bob Wheeler, who has lived in the same house since he was 14 years old, tends to the roses he planted in the front yard for his now-deceased mother at his home in Portland, Oregon, 2016.
But a growing number of people ages 65 and older say they would rather age in their current communities. A recent AARP survey found that 90% of older adults nationwide want to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
At the same time, US Census data suggests that many neighborhoods are not designed to accommodate the needs of aging Americans. But there are certain characteristics - like affordable healthcare, public spaces for physical activity, and accessible public transit - that can make cities better places for adults to live and age.
The Milkens Institute, a think tank comprised of economists around the US, recently compiled a report on the best cities for growing old. Looking at 100 large metro areas, the researchers analyzed public data across nine categories, including housing costs, income equality, Medicare enrollment, the numbers of hospitals and households with older adults, and volunteer rates for older adults.
Milkens notes that the report doesn't identify metros where older Americans should retire. It instead highlights cities that offer the best quality of life for residents to age in place.
The top 10 cities are below.