Retirement affords many seniors the opportunity to choose where they want to spend their post-work years, with factors such as weather, location, cost of living, health care options, senior living facilities, activities and culture influencing their decision.
Older people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender have to be even more selective about choosing where to retire, as not all cities in the U.S. welcome those living "nontraditional" lifestyles, according to a new report from SeniorAdvice.com, a senior housing referral service.
This week, SeniorAdvice.com released its second annual list of the best cities for LGBT seniors that takes into consideration percentage of this population in the area, presence of gay-friendly senior communities, and local and state legislation protecting the LGBT community, among other factors.
It also includes each city's SeniorScore, a proprietary ranking calculated by compiling and factoring some 100 variables, including access to health care and number of senior residents, to help determine how well a specific location accommodates the comfort and needs of senior citizens. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method.
This year's list of top cities has been expanded to include both large and medium-sized ones. SeniorAdvice.com defined medium-sized cities as those with a population of 50,000 to 500,000 residents, and large cities as having more than 500,000 residents.
Following are the top gay-friendly cities in the U.S., according to SeniorAdvice.com, including its comments about a key feature of each city:
Pittsburgh skyline.
Pittsburgh
(Received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for the city's laws, policies and services inclusive of LGBT people)
SeniorScore: 79
Health and safety: 76
Recreation and leisure: 78
Finances: 65
General quality of life: 61
Baltimore
(35+ years of LGBT community support and advocacy)
SeniorScore: 68
Health and safety: 66
Recreation and leisure: 63
Finances: 54
General quality of life: 60
Church of San Felipe in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque
(Lower property taxes and great weather)
SeniorScore: 73
Health and safety: 62
Recreation and leisure: 67
Finances: 59
General quality of life: 72
Cable Cars riding down the streets of San Francisco.
San Francisco
(LGBT capital of the U.S.)
SeniorScore: 72
Health and safety: 69
Recreation and leisure: 66
Finances: 51
General quality of life: 70
Cleveland
(43+ years of LGBT community support and advocacy)
Retirement affords many seniors the opportunity to choose where they want to spend their post-work years, with factors such as weather, location, cost of living, health care options, senior living facilities, activities and culture influencing their decision.
Pittsburgh skyline. 
Church of San Felipe in Albuquerque. 
Cable Cars riding down the streets of San Francisco. 
Downtown San Diego Bay. 
Beacon Hill in Boston. 
Mardi Gras in New Orleans. (Photo: AP) 
Main Street Bridge in Downtown Columbus. 
Prospect Terrace Park in Providence. 
Hawthorne Bridge and Portland skyline. 
The World of Coke in Atlanta. (Photo: AP) 
Downtown Fort Lauderdale. 
