Bangor ranked number 23 among Money Magazine’s Best Places to Retire, one of only three northeastern cities to make the cut. The city’s much older population, small town atmosphere and wide variety of activities for seniors were among the top reasons why the magazine’s editors chose Bangor.  The two others were Philadelphia, ranked No. 10, and Providence, R.I., which came in at No. 17, according to the article, which can be seen on the magazine’s Web site.

The profile also noted that the region in which Bangor is located “has four distinct seasons, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter and switch to golfing, fishing and hiking when the weather turns. Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park are about 90 minutes away, but there are 30 parks in Bangor. The City Forest comprises 650 acres with 5 miles of biking and cross-country trails.

The profile doesn’t, however, mention that Greater Bangor has a wide range of amenities that retirees might be drawn to. These include two major hospitals, the Hammond Street Senior Center, a public bus system, a number of assisted living and senior housing facilities and several educational institutions, to name a few.

The magazine looked at nearly 2,000 communities before coming up with its list of the top 25 places to retire. Selection factors included tax rates, recreational opportunities, medical care, arts and culture, housing costs, income and age ranges, job growth, fastest and slowest commutes, weather, air cleanliness and statistics regarding rich singles.