Adults '55 or better' don't have to reside in Florida's wildly popular The Villages to experience an active adult community. Whether you're a retiree or not, you can enjoy active, independent living in age-restricted communities all over the country, from the oh-so popular destinations like Florida and Arizona, to the less popular ones like South Dakota and Wyoming.

While each community offers a different set of amenities, residents can enjoy having neighbors who are at a similar stage in life and can often enjoy the convenience of maintenance-free living as well as resort-style luxuries like fitness centers, pools, and spas. To sweeten the pot, art and fitness classes are often available to community members, making it possible to pick up a new hobby or improve upon an old one.

Without further ado, here's the list! These 55+ active adult communities are the best places to retire in the United States.

Alabama (Foley): The Grove

Alaska (Anchorage): Chester Park Coop

Arizona (Oracle): SaddleBrooke Ranch

Arkansas (North Little rock): The Villas at Northwood Creek

California (Laguna Woods): Laguna Woods Village

Colorado (Denver): Fairway Villas at Green Valley Ranch

Connecticut (Newton): Newtown Woods

Delaware (Magnolia): Champions' Club at Jonathan's Landing

Florida (The Villages): The Villages

Georgia (Griffin): Sun City Peachtree

Hawaii (Kihei): Kalama Heights

Idaho (Rathdrum): Golden Spike Estates

Illinois (Huntley): Sun City Huntley

Indiana (Valparaiso): The Courtyards at Pepper Creek

Iowa (Waukee): The Village at Legacy Pointe

Kansas (Wichita): Reflection Ridge

Kentucky (Mt. Sterling): Old Silo Hill at Silver Creek

Louisiana (Bossier City): The Oaks of Louisiana

Maine (Bar Harbor): Birch Bay Retirement Village

Maryland (Silver Spring): Leisure World of Maryland

Massachusetts (Needham): North Hill

Michigan (Brownstown): Bridgewater

Minnesota (Maple Grove): K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons at Rush Creek

Mississippi (Waveland): Sea Song at Gulfside

Missouri (Nixa): Autumn Corners

Montana (Bozeman): The Knolls at Hillcrest

Nebraska (Omaha): Arboretum on Farnam Drive

Nevada (Las Vegas): Siena

New Hampshire (Stratham): Leddy Fields Condominiums

New Jersey (Princeton): Princeton Windrows

New Mexico (Las Cruces): The Boulders at Sonoma Ranch

New York (Melville): The Greens at Half Hollow

North Carolina (Southport): St James Plantation

North Dakota (Bismarck): Touchmark

Ohio (Lorain): Morningside at Martin's Run

Oklahoma (Tulsa): Hyde Park at Tulsa Hills

Oregon (Ashland): Mountain Meadows

Pennsylvania (Harrisburg): Traditions of America at Silver Spring

Rhode Island (Tiverton): The Villages on Mount Hope Bay

South Carolina (Bluffton): Sun City Hilton Head

South Dakota (Spearfish): Elkhorn Ridge

Tennessee (Loudon): Tellico Village

Texas (Savannah): Isabella Village at Savannah

Utah (St. George): SunRiver St. George

Vermont (Middlebury): The Residence at Otter Creek

Virginia (Fredericksburg): Regency at Chancellorsville

Washington (Issaquah): Timber Ridge at Talus

West Virginia (Bridgeport): Brookdale

Wisconsin (Appleton): Touchmark Appleton

Wyoming (Cheyenne): Whispering Chase

Want to spend some time in the country's best places to retire? Book a rental in one of these top communities now on Tripping.com.

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A note about the list:

A variety of criteria were considered when selecting each community, including the amenities offered to residents and the quality of the facilities. Reviews from community residents and top retirement-living resources were also assessed when available. Each of the communities in this list offers independent living for active adults.