According to the Managing Editor Annette Fuller, the Verde Valley possesses qualities important to today’s retirees. She states, “Sedona is one of Arizona’s premier tourism, recreation, resort and retirement centers – and it’s easy to see why. Towering red-rock cliffs set the backdrop to many rugged, outdoor adventures, such as hiking, but they also inspire peaceful communes with nature and silent meditation. For retirees who crave some culture, the Sedona Performing Arts Alliance sponsors entertainment events throughout the year, and winemaking has burgeoned over the past decade,” Fuller said.

The magazine reports that about 700,000 Americans relocate each year to new towns to retire and generally are healthier, better educated, and more affluent than those who choose not to relocate. In addition, these relocating retirees bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns.