It's not much of a secret that Lancaster has miles of scenic farmland and is relatively close to several large cities.
And now more people, especially those looking to retire, are deciding that those assets make Lancaster a great place to spend their golden years.
Citing Lancaster County's scenery, proximity to major cities and abundance of retirement communities, Forbes magazine this week ranked Lancaster County No. 10 on its list of "Best Places to Grow Old."
"Retirees love the area for its rural landscape — covered bridges, lush greenery — but appreciate its one-hour proximity to Philadelphia and the 90-minute commute to Baltimore," the magazine wrote.
Forbes came up with its list by looking at the percentage of residents older than 65 years old and costs of living in counties with populations of at least 500,000. It also considered employment data and the number of hospitals and elder-care facilities.
Gary Clouser, president of Brethren Village Retirement Community, says Lancaster's ranking makes sense.
"I'm not surprised by that because we all enjoy the beauty of this county and we've known for a long time that this is a great place not only to live, but a great place to grow old and retire," he said.
Clouser added that while the Lititz retirement community mostly caters to local residents, people who come from outside the area find that they get more for their money.
In fact, Forbes said a lower cost of living was the reason many areas outside of the traditional warm climate areas of Florida and Arizona made its list.
Montgomery County, Pa., snagged the top spot on the Forbes list partially because it is home to leafy college towns such as Bryn Mawr and Lower Merion Township.
It is also a draw for retirees because of shopping malls such as King of Prussia and how close it is to Philadelphia, Forbes said.
Rosanne Pritts, marketing and public relations manager at Willow Valley Retirement Communities, said Lancaster also benefits from its nearness to the cultural opportunities in Philadelphia.
About half of Willow Valley residents come from outside the county and Pritts said many move here because it is close to large urban centers.
Yet while many retirees move here because of what we're close to, they often find they don't have to leave to get what they want, Pritts said.
The county's trove of cultural activities as well as its quality health care options have long been a part of Willow Valley's pitch to seniors, Pritts said.
"We're not just promoting Willow Valley, we're promoting Lancaster," she said.
Pritts also pointed out that once they move to Willow Valley, seniors dive into local volunteer work rather than just kicking back.
For example, a volunteer group at Willow Valley partners with local colleges on various projects, including the recent renovation of a library at the School District of Lancaster's Reynolds Middle School.
"They have the passion, which just drives everything," Pritts said.
Erin Conahan, volunteer center director for the United Way of Lancaster County, agrees, saying seniors are an asset to the county and especially to the many agencies that rely on them as volunteers.
"It makes a huge difference," she said.
BEST PLACES TO GROW OLD1. Montgomery County, Pa.2. Nassau County, N.Y.3. Pima County, Ariz.4. Palm Beach County, Fla.5. Honolulu County, Hawaii.6. Brevard County, Fla.7. Montgomery County, Md.8. Ocean City, N.J.9. Westchester County, N.Y.10. Lancaster County, Pa.Staff writer Chad Umble can be reached at cumble@LNPnews.com or 481-6031. 