Top 13 Retirement-Friendly Cities To Live In if You Love To Dine Out

Looking for a laid-back city where you can enjoy a stress-free retirement with plenty of opportunities for eating out?

FinanceBuzz recently assessed 50 of America’s biggest cities to determine the most laid-back based on well-being, economic factors, liveability, and leisure activities.

Here are 13 top cities for fine diners who love to spend their mornings at cozy coffee shops and end their nights with five-star sushi.

1. Seattle, Washington

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Seattle nabbed the top spot on our list of the country’s most laid-back cities even though it doesn’t take top place in terms of either sushi shops or coffee shops per capita.

That’s because the city has hundreds of dine-out options for retirees who love fresh fish, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and coffee beans roasted in-house.

2. Riverside, California

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It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that a major hub just an hour from the Pacific coast has the most sushi shops per capita of any city on our list.

Riverside falls in the middle of our list of laid-back US cities (it comes in 20th out of 50, just after Buffalo, New York) — but in terms of sushi shops, the city can’t be beat.

3. Miami, Florida

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Since it’s located right along the coast, Miami is able to serve up fresh fish daily.

From mahi-mahi to lobster and crabs to snapper, you’ll find plenty of sustainably harvested, local fish to savor at one of Miami’s hundreds of sushi restaurants.

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4. Hartford, Connecticut

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Thanks in part to its proximity to Yale, Hartford has a reputation as a stately, historic city. But don’t think Hartford’s charm lies in its past. The city has more sushi restaurants per capita than any city on our list, save Riverside.

Hartford also has more coffee shops per capita than any other city we examined — including cities famous for their coffee shops, like Portland and Seattle.

5. Orlando, Florida

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Orlando’s mild winters and warm summers attract crowds of retirees eager to escape harsher weather for good.

If you decide to migrate to Central Florida, you can look forward to enjoying delicious food of all kinds alongside sunshine, theme parks, and plenty of golf courses.

6. Salt Lake City, Utah

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Salt Lake City is known more for its high-altitude skiing and breathtaking national parks than its food scene, but the inland city has nearly as many sushi shops per capita as Orlando.

Plus, while Utah has a reputation as being relatively coffee-free, the data says otherwise: SLC takes third overall when it comes to the most coffee shops per capita.

7. Tampa, Florida

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This Gulf Coast city is an excellent location for retirees who love beautiful ocean views, dynamic cityscapes, and — of course — having a wide range of spectacular restaurants to choose from.

While Tampa is more closely associated with Cuban food than anything else, it has more than enough sushi to accommodate all types of tases.

8. Atlanta, Georgia

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According to our study, Atlanta is the sixth-most laid-back city in the US. With 65.8 sushi shops and 128.3 coffee shops per 100,000 people, Atlanta residents won’t struggle to find a restaurant that serves exactly what they’re hungry for.

9. Providence, Rhode Island

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Don’t let its small size fool you. Rhode Island has more than enough leisure activities to keep its population endlessly entertained.

With an average of 152 coffee shops per 100,000 residents, the city should be a top spot for anyone who enjoys kicking off the day with a comforting cup of coffee.

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Compared to Florida, Minnesota is prone to cold, dark winters, which might keep the state from drawing crowds of seniors eager to enjoy their retirement.

But Minneapolis took second place in our ranking of the most laid-back cities—higher than any Florida city—and its plentiful sushi restaurants and coffee shops should also put it on your radar.

11. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Pittsburgh is third on our list of most laid-back cities. It has much to offer anyone who values leisure time, quality of life, and a healthy variety of top-notch dining options.

While the city doesn’t have nearly as many sushi shops as other foodie-friendly cities, it has a high number of coffee shops per capita.

12. New Orleans, Louisiana

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New Orleans is a storied city with a vibrant cuisine and rich history. According to our data, it’s also a haven for coffee lovers. (Sushi? Not so much.)

From upscale espresso bars to homey local chains, the Big Easy ensures residents enjoy their daily coffee fix.

13. Portland, Oregon

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Thanks to Starbucks, Seattle is more closely associated with coffee fans than Portland, but Portland actually takes the (coffee) cake when it comes to coffee availability.

Portland has an average of 120.4 coffee shops per 100,000 people, whereas Seattle has just 108.6.

Bottom line

If you were a frugal saver throughout your working years, you might have skipped eating out in favor of cooking cheaper meals at home.

But now that you’ve retired, it’s time to let yourself go out to eat more in a city that loves fine dining as much as you do, starting with the 15 we listed above.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).