In its September/October 2009 issue, Where to Retire magazine profiles eight cities - including Chattanooga - with low housing prices and varied lifestyle amenities.

The cities featured also include Fort Myers, Fla.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Greeley, Colo.; Spokane, Wash.; Lancaster, Pa.; Salem, Ore., and Chico, Calif.

The September/October issue mails to subscribers nationwide on July 31.

According to Where to Retire editor Mary Lu Abbott, it’s a prime time for retirees to find affordable places to relocate, as an excess inventory of homes provides great values at low cost. As the housing market recovers, much of the buyer traffic will be active adults looking toward retirement.

The cities that offer the opportunity for a well-rounded lifestyle coupled with great home buys should see increased interest from relocating retirees, she said.

The article says, “Chattanooga, along the Tennessee River, boasts a scenic, walkable downtown area, a low cost of living, plentiful health-care options and a rich Civil War history. Fort Myers, FL, offers beaches, parks for hiking and biking and an active cultural scene; sales of existing homes hit a five-year high in the spring, but the median price has remained low. Winston-Salem prides itself on its arts and cultural scene with museums, galleries and theaters aplenty; and retirees will find great variety and great value in housing with lower prices compared to other cities in the region. Greeley has nearby Rocky Mountain National Park for scenic adventures, an expansive parks and recreation system that includes the Senior Activities Center for planned outings and social events and a nationally recognized medical center. Spokane is a four-season haven for outdoor enthusiasts with lakes, golf courses, national parks nearby, skiing opportunities and more. Lancaster embraces the dichotomy of the Amish and Mennonite horse-and-buggy, rural character and a revitalized downtown area with great shopping, restaurants, parks and affordable new condos; there’s also a choice of traditional housing in outlying neighborhoods. Salem has wineries, orchards, city and state parks, the Salem Art Fair and home prices that are low for the region. Chico at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, offers green spaces, white-water rafting, a university and plenty of cultural fare; housing dollars go further here than in many other parts of California.”

She said that each year, 700,000 Americans move to new towns to retire. Generally healthier, better educated and more affluent than retirees who stay put, relocating retirees bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns, it was stated.

Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.

Where to Retire magazine was launched in 1992 with the goal of helping its readers find the ideal place to retire. Now published six times a year, the magazine covers the best retirement regions, towns, and master-planned communities, and has a national average circulation of 220,000 and an average readership of 500,000.