Here's a magazine written just for those approaching retirement. It covers all the essential information seniors need to guide them in choosing the ideal retirement spot. About 400,000 retirees relocate each year. Some of them don't spend enough time investigating different parts of the country because it is too time consuming and expensive.

"Where to Retire" is a good way to start investigating areas. Right from your own armchair you can tour a wide variety of different communities covered within its 145 pages. Find a few that suit your lifestyle and get more information on web sites or phone/write the contacts listed. A personal visit is always a must. I recommend you visit in every season to see if you are happy in the area before you relocate.

We receive a complementary magazine subscription to Where to Retire for our reception room. Even though I am not interested in any of these retirement communities, I love to read every issue. Some of the articles cover topics other than just housing. Tax concerns, Social Security, gardening, staging your home for sale, reverse mortgages, moving tips and home repairs plus how to get involved in your new community and more are also addressed. Every issue is relevant and a great help to future retirees.

I think the issues are colorful and very informative. The covers and inside photographs are beautiful and very professional looking. The seniors photographed don't look like models. Although there are lots of ads, as in most magazines, they are all related to housing or recreation. Each issue is filled with interesting articles. I learn a lot about the different areas and what's available throughout the country.

The magazine has been in publication for eight years. It publishes 5 issues each year. It is mostly aimed at active 55-year olds and over who are facing retirement in the near future. The magazine covers all geographic areas of the country. It covers different types of communities (golf, boating, fishing, beachside, mountain, and desert.) I am impressed with the wide variety of different styles of housing. It covers manufactured homes, custom-built homes and even RV parks. It includes townhouses, condos and rental units all in a wide variety of price ranges. It mainly, however, provides detailed information on homes in master-planned communities in the US.

Lot's of interesting information is given on all the communities. Important issues such as location, sizes of communities and homes, price ranges standards of living, amenities, state/local taxes plus climate/temperature ranges are always included. Crime rates, medical facilities, population, air quality and cultural & sporting activities in the surrounding area are usually included. Many articles quote retirees who actually live in the communities. They give readers an honest opinion of what the community is really like - good and bad.

Each issue contains a letter from the editor. In the Summer 2001 issue, we learn from the editor that today's retirees are younger and more active. They are still interested in studying and working. They expect to maintain an active lifestyle. Although favorable climate and low crime rates are important, they also want challenging activities and an active social life. Most want modern technology in their retirement homes and maybe even a wine cellar. Shuffleboard courts are out home offices are in. Some want to downsize and others want larger homes. Many are in the "sandwich generation" and desire accommodations for their returning adult children or elderly parents. All want to be debt-free. They don't consider themselves to be old. They are looking forward to retirement. The magazine has ideas for all of them.

The Readers Mailbox Department is a regular feature. Many readers send in letters explaining how the magazine helped them find their perfect retirement home. Some letters correct misinformation given in previous issues. Others add to the information provided in the magazine. The letters are always interesting to read and sound sincere.

Discoveries is another regular department. Here some of the newer communities are highlighted. Lovely photographs and descriptions of idyllic lifestyles entice the reader to find out more about the communities. A Coastal Lake Country, Golfer's Haven and a community near Hilton Head Island are featured in the current issue. Detailed information covers all aspects of living. I love all the beautiful photographs. Another article in this department reports on the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2001" according to the National Trust for Historical Preservation. If you were community-minded in the area of preservation, one of these places would be ideal for you. Residents are civic-minded individuals who help preserve local historical or scenic assets, help rewrite local zoning codes, make downtown areas more attractive to pedestrian and help enact laws that preserve historic buildings. Towns were selected because of their managed growth, attractive architecture, dynamic downtown, cultural diversity and their commitment to preservation. The towns are also attractive to pedestrian and have many locally owned small businesses.

One department I especially enjoy is the Retirement Advisor. Mary Lou Abbott answers a wide variety of questions on broad topics. This month the questions answered pertained to crime in Las Vegas, the most affordable cost of living areas, how to choose a mover for out-of-state relocations, church-sponsored communities and general relocation information about New Mexico. Her answers are always thorough and succinct. I learn a lot by reading in this department.

The Financial Consultant Department covered by Diane Freeman is still another excellent regular feature-one of my favorites. This issue's article is entitled, "Surveys Pinpoint Most and Least Affordable Real Estate." The National Association of Realtors" report covers 121 metropolitan areas. In case you're curious, the San Francisco urban area boasts the highest-priced housing (mean price of $470,00.) The most affordable areas are in Texas. El Paso has mean price of $80,000. This is a very interesting article with a chart highlighted in yellow and pictures that grab your interest. The average price of housing in the US is $139,600. Another study by Caldwell Bankers shows that in Palo Alto, CA a 2,200 square foot home costs an average price of $974,237. Ouch! The magazine lists Web sites for the complete reports.

In the Home & Garden Department, lots of useful home topics are covered through an interesting question and answer format. Find out what to do about crumbling bricks, garden pests, skylights, maintaining decks and working with Corian. The advice is always good and the department is always interesting to read.

Different issues highlight specific regions of the country. This issue has a beautifully illustrated article on "Retiring to the Pacific Northwest." It's an informative self-drive tour through seven very different communities where opportunities exist for boating, fishing and beachcombing. Detailed directions are given. Each area includes information on population, climate, housing options, lodging and resources for more information all in chart form for easy comparing. Descriptions of local scenery, tax information and cultural and sporting activities among other information are condensed into this one article.

Three other articles are worth mentioning. For all retirees, safely is an important consideration. The article (listed on the cover), "10 Safe Haven for Retirement" addresses these concerns. Each haven is chosen not only for its low crime rate but also for other attributes that make each a unique place to live. Another great article (also listed on the cover), "10 Great Towns for Retiring Singles" is especially aimed at singles but the information provided is valuable to all. It highlights towns that have a large welcoming attitude toward singles with lots of cultural events or even a university program for retirees. These are vibrant areas where singles can mingle and form friendships easily and feel at home. The final note worthy feature is a fifty page article (also listed on the cover), "America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities." All the established communities featured have beautiful scenery, an active social calendar for cultural and recreational activities and excellent reputations. A full range of prices is included which I like.

Every issue also includes a handy list of over 100 active adult communities. Photos and descriptions follow for each listing. A postage-paid postcard is always provided for more information. Responders receive a free issue added on to their subscription. That's a nice touch. This month the section also includes "A Chart of Living Costs: How 101 Cities Compare." Costs of housing, food, clothing, healthcare, utilities and other goods and services are all taken into account. It permits retirees who are considering relocating to estimate how much their living costs will go up or down from their present residences. I think this is a great tool for all retirees to use. It's too bad more cities weren't included but the chart would then be unwieldy to read.

Overall, I think this magazine is a good resource for those who plan to relocate for their retirement but are undecided about where they want to live. No one would make any decision based solely on information provided here but it's a good guide for exploring possibilities. I think the photos are spectacular, the information invaluable and not available in any one place elsewhere. All types of housing for various lifestyles are included. The magazine covers not only the popular Sunbelt areas but also smaller overlooked towns that have yet to be discovered.

I recommend this magazine for all those approaching retirement or into retirement. I also recommend it for those under 55 who wish to eventually relocate. It will give them time to explore the communities that interest them. If you know someone who is facing retirement, pick up an issue for him/her. More than 500,000 readers already consult this magazine.

The current issue will be on the newsstands until October 15. A subscription costs $11.95 for 5 issues, $19.95 for 10 issues and $27.95 for 15 issues. Individual issues cost $3.96/Canada, $4.95. A postcard is attached (as are all postcards-none are loose) inside the magazine for handy subscribing or call (713) 974-6903. Even better, visit the Web Site, www.WhereToRetire.com for a free issue to see if you like it.

On the web site are listed other books and inexpensive special reports about retiring in different areas including foreign countries. From the Web site, I also ordered a free trial issue of About Travel 50 & Beyond Magazine along with some of the many free travel brochures.

Recommended: Yes