Fortune Magazine recently published its 2012 Retirement Guide supplement in which they named their best places in the world to retire—and featured Charleston prominently in their list of the world’s Best Small Cities.

According to the article, today’s retirees are an active and adventurous bunch, and “may not weigh the pros and cons in terms of days of sunshine and number of golf courses, but rather the number of hiking and biking trails, the opportunity for educational enrichment, and the caliber of the art and restaurant scene.” Factoring in these criteria for selection, it is no surprise that Charleston—a big scorer on all counts—made the list.

Particular points in the Holy City’s favor cited by Fortune include:

• Its size—not too big and not too small—providing the cultural and recreational activities of a city without the headaches and hassle.
• Its richly layered history—colonial, Revolutionary, Civil War—that enthusiasts can peel back like so many layers of an onion.
• Its wealth of natural attractions, among them white-sand beaches, palm trees, and comfortable climate (aside from the occasional deluge).
• Its abundant activities for retirees, and youthful culture that keeps all of us feeling young.

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