Pittsburgh a player, via Marketwatch

CBS Marketwatch posts an interesting retirement article here. In bold are the places I know something about from personal observation, where either we have friends or family or where I've lived around or visited a lot. A good number of these places are also homes of academia and research.

Yet the reality, Bland said, is that the quality of life that can be found in Pittsburgh has improved tremendously over the years as it has switched to more of a service-based economy. Air quality is better, he said, and replacing some of the steel mills have been entertainment complexes, restaurants and stores. The town also gets high marks for its health care, culture and recreation.
Below is Bland's list of top value towns, from the least to most expensive:

1. Hot Springs, Ark.
2. Winston-Salem, N. C.
3. Fayetteville, Ark.
4. Bowling Green, Ky.
5. Lawrence, Kan.
6. Columbia, Mo.
7. Pittsburgh, Pa.
8. Gainesville, Fla.
9. San Antonio, Texas
10. Colorado Springs, Colo.