NEW YORK (CNNfn) - If you're looking for a stimulating retirement spot, Money magazine has made the search a little easier, naming five cities with a wealth of activities for retirees.
In its July issue, Money named Bradenton, Fla.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Bend, Ore.; Asheville, N.C.; and Brunswick, Me., as the five best U.S. towns in which to spend your golden years.
 Money found the cities where people retire most often and then picked the ones "where a vigorous retirement is the norm."
The magazine ranked cities based on availability of continuing education, outdoor and cultural activities, accessibility of medical care and transportation, cost of living, taxes and home prices.
Though many retirees prefer temperate locales like Florida or the Southwest, weather was less important to Money when picking its winners. Brunswick, for example, has an average low temperature of 11.7°F, but Money likes it for its museums, theaters, and restaurants; the availability of golfing, sailing and other outdoor activities; its proximity to Boston, and the presence of Bowdoin College.
In fact, Fort Collins, Bend, Asheville and Brunswick together have an average low temperature of 20.5°F. Those of us who would rather golf than shovel a driveway could live in Bradenton (average low a balmy 50.1°F) or go to Money's retirement-locale web site, where you can search for retirement locations that match your personal criteria for livability.
Do you like a place that's "cultured and outdoorsy at the same time," as Money put it? Fort Collins, Asheville or Bend may be for you. Do you want to recover from a lifetime of work by gorging on golf and baseball? Bradenton, with 24 golf courses, is where eight major-league teams hold spring training. Do you want to be far from the madding crowd? Asheville is two hours by car from the nearest big city (Charlotte), and Bend is a three-hour drive from Portland, Ore.
As Money writer Patricia Skalka pointed out, "There is no one formula for picking the best place to settle down." Find a place that suits you best.
Money also named five runners-up: Santa Fe, N.M.; Hot Springs, Ark.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Madison, Wis.; and Amherst, Mass.
Click here to read more of Money's best retirement places. 
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