This City in Iowa Is on National ‘Great Places to Live’ List

When it comes to finding the right place to spend the twilight years of your life, a Northwest Iowa city is among the top destinations in America.

AARP The Magazine recently asked its readers to recommend communities where older Americans could thrive and then the publication narrowed down that list after factoring in data on key things like:

Health Care Access
Cost of Living
Walkability
Reliable Public Transportation
Local Economy

From there only six cities were deemed worthy of inclusion in the 'Great Places to Live - 2024 Edition'.

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Making the cut among the elite is Orange City, with a population of just 6,286. The seat of Sioux County is the second smallest city on the list (Lindsborg, Kansas - 3,801).

AARP The Magazine - December 2023/January 2024 Edition

The city is best known for hosting the Tulip Festival, which will celebrate its 83rd year in May of this year.

So what makes Orange City so special in the eyes of AARP? It all boils down to this one sentence from the article:

'What sounds like the set of a Hallmark movie is life here.'

When it was founded in 1870 the city was known as Holland until it was renamed in honor of Dutch royalty, the Duke of Orange.

Among the places the article recommends visiting in Orange City are Puddle Jumper Trail, Onstage Orange City at Windmill Park, and Tulip Town Bulb Company.

AARP THE MAGAZINE'S GREAT PLACES TO LIVE - 2024 EDITION