**Huntsville Ranks Eighth on U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Places to Retire List**

In a recent evaluation by U.S. News & World Report, Huntsville has been recognized as the eighth-best place to retire in 2025. For Alabama residents who are considering retirement, this recognition highlights the growing appeal of staying local. The ranking took into account factors such as local residents' happiness, housing affordability, tax rates, and healthcare quality.

"Huntsville's city center has undergone a renaissance in recent years," the report noted. The influx of new construction projects downtown has resulted in a wider array of shopping, dining, and apartment options, bolstering the city's appeal to retirees.

Out of a possible overall score of 10, Huntsville achieved a commendable 6.8, closely trailing the leading city, Naples, Florida, which scored 7.0. One of Huntsville's standout attributes was its housing affordability, scoring 8.5, the second highest among the top ten cities, surpassed only by Fort Wayne, Indiana, with an 8.7.

However, Huntsville's score in healthcare was lower at 3.7, which is considered average when compared to other cities in the same ranking tier. This score indicates that while there is room for improvement in healthcare services, the city still remains a strong contender for retirees.

Notably, other large Alabama cities, including Birmingham, Mobile, and Montgomery, did not feature in the 150-city ranking, making Huntsville a unique representative of the state on this prestigious list.