The latest issue of AARP The Magazine recognized Ames as one of the country’s most ideal places to retire. Specifically, Ames ranked first nationally in life expectancy, with an average of 81.02 years. The national average is 78.1 years.

Ames also was first in health care coverage, with 97.9 percent able to afford coverage. The U.S. average is 88.3 percent. The city also ranked highly in green commuting, coming in fifth.

Iowa City ranked seventh in life expectancy, with an average age of 80.33 years, and sixth in green commuting. Des Moines ranked eighth in health care coverage with 95.2 percent able to afford coverage.

AARP’s top five cities to retire to were Ann Arbor, Mich.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Madison, Wis.; Santa Fe, N.M., and Fargo, N.D.