25 Best Places to Retire

Your post-work years are a time to improve your golf game, take up a new hobby, or just enjoy a well-deserved break. In these great college towns, you can expand your intellectual horizons too.

Downtown Lexington boasts plenty of entertainment options for retirees, including the circa-1922 Kentucky Theatre -- which shows independent and classic films -- the Lexington Farmers Market, dozens of restaurants, and the Rupp Arena, home to the university's storied basketball program. Plus, for the equestrian minded, the city isn't far from Kentucky's famed horse country and is just 90 minutes from Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

In addition to a deep-seated horse and bourbon tradition, the city also has strong roots in life-long learning. In 1964, before retirees became regular fixtures on college campuses, the University of Kentucky invited them to take up empty seats in classrooms. Today, the school continues the tradition, offering locals 65 and up free access to university classes that have open space.

While most fellows choose to audit courses, many have pursued degrees. A sister program for area residents 50 and over organizes about 100 classes a year on topics ranging from painting to U.S. history.  

See complete data and interactive map for Lexington

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