Aiken a great place for Boomers

Baby Boomers Michael and Elizabeth Krystoviak loved Aiken at first sight.

They are not alone. Aiken was recently named a 2009 Best Place to Thrive by a website that features cities ideal for Baby Boomers.

BestBoomerTowns.com released the list, highlighting 20 towns across the United States which, according to its website, have met certain key criteria like excellent health care, fine dining, cultural activities, active lifestyle, average cost of living and a range of home sizes and prices.

Aiken has the added distinction of being the only South Carolina town on the list.

Aiken Board of Realtors' Association Executive Kristyne Blake believes the cost of living is what draws most people to this area. Where house prices across the country have bottomed out with the economic recession, Aiken has remained relatively insulated.

"Housing prices are very, very reasonable," she said. "You get a lot for your money. The average sold price last year at $182,000 was higher than in 2007 at $178,000. It is a great time to buy in Aiken. I hear every day from Realtors that there are so many inquiries from Florida, Michigan, California. They want to be here."

J. David Jameson, CEO and president of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, said over the last 10 years, Aiken has been known as a retirement destination.

"This just adds another dimension in Aiken," he said. "It is a nice, healthy place for retirees. Everyone is learning what we already know."

The Krystoviaks relocated to Aiken from Scottsdale, Ariz. Michael is originally from England and Elizabeth from New York.

"We do love the horse community," Elizabeth said. "We started to think about it, and (when we visited Aiken) something just clicked. It was instant, as it is with most people. I think the uniqueness and the international diversity draw people. We learned Southern hospitality is not a myth. We felt this was home from the first day."

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the last year data was available, 25 percent of Aiken's population is 45 to 64 years old. Nearly 13 percent of the population is 65 or older.

Along with the cost of living, Aiken is also noted on the website for its equestrian roots and cultural focus.

"It has a nice atmosphere with lots going on, like music and art events. Aiken is only 17 miles from the famous links of Georgia's Augusta National," BestBoomerTowns.com writes. "Over 30 stables and 13 golf courses are in and around Aiken. Temperate year-round climate combined with a strong sense of historic conservation have made the small town a top choice for retirement."

"People love the feel of Aiken," Blake said. "It is easy to get around, people are friendly, and it is still a small town."

Also on the list are Maryville, Tenn., Paso Robles, Calif., Asheville, N.C., Bend, Ore., and Athens, Ga.

For more information, visit www.bestboomertowns.com.

Aiken has also been recognized as:

* One of Relocate America's 100 Best Places to Live

* One of 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2008 by America's Promise Alliance (the Alliance) and Capital One

* One of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

* Named a Southern dream town by Garden & Gun magazine

* No. 7 on the list of Carolina Living's Top 40 Most Preferred Towns in Carolina