If climate is a primary concern then I’m going to retire right here in San Diego. (Why not? The house is paid for.) San Diego has several colleges including two big ones, but it’s overall vibe is more that of a military town than a college town. But you can’t beat the weather.
@eastcoascrazy Thanks for bringing up the idea of living in the south and spending winters in the north rather than vice versa. We’re definitely planning on snowbirding as I hate the HOT as much as the COLD. I prefer my temps between 50 and 80. When pushed I prefer cold over hot, but maybe not as we get older and have more health issues…
Then, for us, hubby wants us to live on a sailboat… That’s his dream, not mine. I just have to decide if it’s worth considering. We enjoy going to different places rather than the same place over and over, so…maybe. Personally, I’m still contemplating buying (a condo) vs renting, but every now and then I wonder if the sailboat would work for me or not. It would allow us to see multiple islands and technically stay as long as we want, but do I want to live part of the year ON the water? I’m not so sure. At least it’s not the hurricane part of the year.
In Florida seniors (need to be there a year) can audit university classes, with professor’s permission for free. That includes grad level classes. Of course labs (using resources) may not be allowed.
Something important to us is a good public library system. One reason for living in a larger city- they can afford to have a copy of more books than the smaller counties. If I spent more than a month in the northwoods of Wisconsin (or Door County) I would be using my Kindle a lot to keep up with my hometown library offerings. Some places tout the arts but are lacking in books, especially nonfiction that my H loves.
Summers are meant for leaving Florida. Great weather north-east, middle, center. We already explored, made so many trips from the upper Midwest we were due for a change. Still getting around to going up 95- have hit many places from the west in the past. Living in the Midwest it was easy to go east and west by car for those one-two week vacations. You see many places you would miss with a flight. I do miss the museums of Chicago, although saw them so many times it was time for a change.
I’m content living n SE FL. I really do like our 70’ weather. I’m still working, so the 2 summer months don’t bother me. When I’m retired, I could spend more time nearer my son or friends up north, or traveling In the summer
I just had my mammogram today., which included a 3-d image. The women’s center is state of art. There is a major art show this weekend, and usually something on weekends. I don’t have the time to take classes at the local Us.
Wait until you retire- your life changes.
My parents retired not far from Chico, CA. There are a lot of retirees but it is still rather provincial. They are about 3 /12 hours from SF, 1 1/2 to Sacramento, less than an hour to Redding, good hiking out their back door, easy access to the Sierras.
My wife’s aunt retired not far from Sonoma State with a whole bunch of other aging hippies. Wine country, redwoods, and Point Reyes are all close. About an hour to SF.
We have friends in Ashland, OR and I was going to bring it up if it hadn’t come up yet. It is really nice there.
I have no idea about Latin in any of the places.
“One reason for living in a larger city- they can afford to have a copy of more books than the smaller counties.”
It definitely depends on the locale. My town library (definitely not a big city) is wonderful and through the interlibrary loan program plus ebook offerings I can usually find what I’m looking for.
State College Pennsylvania! 4 seasons, lots of retirement housing options, lots of retirees. Public transit, great library system, great adult education options. PSU hosts bazillions of lectures and concerts and events. One of the largest outdoor Arts festivals and a nationally ranked 4th of July display. Ethnic restaurants, great hospital, small local airport that services Chicago, DC and Philly directly. Day’s drive to major cities. Arboretum. Park system. Near the Mid State Trail. Independant stores, coffee shops, vibrant interfaith and non profit org life. Bike Trails. Ice cream 
I don’t miss four seasons at all. As I recall “four seasons” was a concept that usually wound up involving jumper cables.
And snow shovels!
We hope to be able to stay put. I discovered that I do not mind the rain if I can see trees and city lights.
Hey @BunsenBurner , weren’t you the one mentioning Pullman a page ago? Talk about snow shovels! We lived there during undergrad and grad school and more of my memories are slogging around in slush and wind than balmy days by the river.
How about WallaWalla? Artsy, wineries, good college ties, warmer and drier than the rest of Eastern WA, and still pretty affordable.
https://www.forbes.com/pictures/hgfm45hj/walla-walla-washington/#8ce4cc121c5d
I did! For the folks who want snow.
We are hoping to stay on the one season, Husky side of the mountains.
Northampton, MA
Fort Collins, CO
Santa Barbara, CA
Bloomington Indiana always seems to make the formal lists, in part because it is very affordable. I’ve heard there’s lots to do, plenty of good restaurants, etc.
We would like a change of season…but not as long a winter.
That’s why Winston Salem is appealing. So much to do there arts wise with the school if the arts. And there is also Wake Forest U. Excellent hospital too. Decent cost of living.
If you’ve ever listened to this podcast, you probably wouldn’t be too keen on living in State College. At least I wouldn’t. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/396/1-party-school
@ZZdecision2016 If your H wants microbrews, Portland Maine is definitely his place.
Thank you, we will check out Portland this summer. I looked it up online and it looks promising!
Fort Collins is another place for small breweries.
Magnetron, having lived in Chico in the 70s, and adored the place would like to see how it has changed. Access to the natural world was what I loved about it, and am scared those beautiful river canyons might now be filled with houses.
@doschicos that’s not fair, really 
I can probably find bad things about all of these college towns. Are PSU’s issues more severe, or just more publicized? Not to derail a fun thread though. I have lived many places, from urban NJ to rural WVA, and I have loved State College the best of all.