Many veterans, when beginning to plan for their retirement
from the service, place a great deal of thought into selecting a location that allows them access to the medical and benefits
granted to them as a result of their military careers. For some, paramount among these considerations is the proximity to
military bases and veterans hospitals and medical centers. Two lists have recently been published designating cities that some experts believe
to the best places to live for veterans. The rankings are a resource to help military retirees find locales offering a high
quality of life while making the most of military retiree benefits
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Carlisle PA |
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Oklahoma City |
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Four cities were included on both lists, specifically
Kenner, LA, Madison WI, Carlisle PA and San Angelo TX. While these lists may be of some assistance in finding the best place
to retire for some, our editorial staff does not necessarily agree that these are the best choices for everyone. In fact,
we would actually question whether some of those cited on these two lists are actually desirable retirement destinations. Also, according to a new study commissioned by USAA and Military.com and released in November, 2011, Oklahoma City is the best place in the nation for military retirees to launch their
post-service careers. The "Best Places for Military Retirement: Second Careers" list pinpoints U.S. metro
areas that are more likely to offer employment opportunities for military retirees, while still maximizing military benefits
and providing a high quality of life. Here's the complete top 10 cities on this list: 1. Oklahoma City, Okla. 2. Norfolk, Va. 3.
Richmond, Va. 4. Austin, Texas 5. San Antonio 6. Madison, Wis. 7. Philadelphia 8. Raleigh, N.C. 9. Omaha, Neb. 10. Manchester, N.H Further, there are several other
cities that, in our opinion, are attractive places to retire for veterans and should not be overlooked. Notably, we think
that several small towns in Middle Tennessee near Nashville, including Clarksville, Gallatin and Dickson, are very accessible
to the nearby VA Medical Center in Nashville, as well being relatively close to the large Army base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
And of course, the extensive military presence in Washington, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, along with numerous VA
facilities make those states popular retirement choices for many military families.
Here is the list of top ten cities for veterans prepared by Livability.com as well as a list from USAA with its selection of the best cities for military retirement.
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