BOULDER, COLO.

BEST CITY FOR EMPTY-NESTERS

Population: 271,934
Cost-of-Living Index: 102 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 40.4%
Bohemian Indicator: 201
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 16.1%

You've got to love a city with 300 days of sunshine, a spectacular mountain setting and its very own teahouse, imported from Tajikistan. Empty-nesters stay active by hiking the trails, biking Boulder Creek Path and sidestepping the jugglers on Pearl Street Mall.

For a full explanation of our criteria click here.