The Place to Retire? Walnut Creek. Top Ten, Anyway

Relax and enjoy the outdoors.

That's easy to do in Walnut Creek, and U.S. News magazine recognizes it.

The magazine and its Money section and website tapped the Creek as one of the 10 best places to retire in 2012. Flagstaff, Ariz., gets the nod for weather; Boone, N.C., is an affordable mountain town; Traverse City, Mich., has water views for a reasonable price — Walnut Creek scores for "greenest place to retire."

U.S. News cited the wilderness access, the downtown selection of restaurants and the Lesher Center for the Arts. It exulted over the city's 22 parks and 2,704 acres of open space, the proximity of Mount Diablo and over the wisdom of Joe Stadum of the 55-and-over community, Rossmoor: "You can drive or ride your bicycle or run and hike," said Stadum.

Compared to those other places, U.S. News countered, Walnut Creek is a bit step with a median home price of $411,000.

The top 10 recognition jazzed Mayor Cindy Silva. "It reflects a long-term commitment to ensuring the availability of open space and trails for hiking and walking and continuing to have a healthy lifestyle, as well as providing a wonderful downtown, where you can eat and shop and enjoy the arts," she told the Contra Costa Times.