2 Mass. cities named as some of the best places to retire in the country
Two Massachusetts locations are being named as some of the best places to retire in the country.
Travel + Leisure released its list of the best places to retire in the United State, breaking up geographic locations by the Northeast, Southeast, West, Southeast and Midwest.
The travel site considered factors such as housing costs, adequate health care and cultural activities.
Of the Northeast locations, Springfield and Pittsfield were named.
Travel + Leisure noted landmarks to check out in Springfield such as MGM Springfield — which offers a casino, a cinema, concert venues, restaurants and a hotel.
Other attractions accessible from the Springfield area include the Basketball Hall of Fame , the MassMutual Center events venue, Storrowton Village Museum , the Zoo in Forest Park and Six Flags New England , Travel + Leisure listed.
The current population of Springfield is 153,337, with the median home value in Hampden County at $276,300.
"The economy is growing, businesses are flourishing and public spaces are being made more vibrant every day," the website reads.
Moving more west, Pittsfield was the second Massachusetts location on the list.
Set in the Berkshires , the city, with a population of 42,771, is in an area known for the arts, theater and music. The area hosts Tanglewood , the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Additionally, the downtown Colonial Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, First Fridays ArtsWalk and Berkshire Athenaeum library add to a rich cultural atmosphere throughout Pittsfield, the website said.
The Pittsfield State Forest also offers retirees hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, swimming and skiing.
Health care in Pittsfield is available through five hospitals and 231 medical establishments. The median home value in the county is $283,800, the website added.
Massachusetts does not tax Social Security income, but withdrawals from pre-tax accounts are taxable, the website said about both Massachusetts cities.
To see the rest of the best places to retire in the Northeast, as well as throughout the country, click here .
