If you are among the growing number of people thinking about moving in retirement, we have some great suggestions--in fact, 12 of them.

Each of the cities and towns here is home to at least one college or university that offers access to concerts, interesting lectures and sports (without final exams and 8 a.m. French class). Most of our cities have a moderate cost of living, and all are located in states that exempt all or a portion of retirement income from taxes. Because health care is an important concern for retirees, our cities also have at least one hospital nearby that has received four or five stars--the highest rating--from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

St. Augustine, Fla.

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St. Augustine and the surrounding St. John's County offer more than just surf and sand wedges.

St. Augustine Beach, located 10 minutes from downtown, is backstopped by laid-back restaurants serving up the day's catch to folks in flip-flops. If a peaceful hammock is more your vibe, chill with the local wildlife on the secluded beaches of 1,600-acre Anastasia Island State Park.

A short drive north will land you in Ponte Vedra Beach, replete with ritzy beach clubs and golf courses. Here you'll find TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship, one of the PGA's most prestigious annual events. The area is also home to the World Golf Hall of Fame and the PGA Tour Academy--for golf legends both real and aspiring.

You can't walk very far in St. Augustine without being reminded that it is the oldest European-established city in the U.S.; the town square dates to 1573. The city is still very much alive, however. Pedestrian-only St. George Street, lined with bistros, boutiques and bars, bustles all day and well into the night.

Also keeping the city young: Flagler College, where retirees can take in free