Chattanooga was named one of the Top 11 Southern Retirement Towns in the February/March 2007 issue of Retirement Lifestyles, a 10-year-old magazine that highlights locations, communities and lifestyles forprospective retirees across the U.S.

"Our editorial staff was impressed by the moderate cost of living, great year-around climate, great outdoor recreational opportunities, strong healthcare, resurgent riverfront and downtown festivals," said Retirement Lifestyles Publisher Dan Owens. "Our team definitely felt that Chattanooga has a lot to offer relocating retirees from other states."

Retirement Lifestyles magazine focuses on communities and retiree lifestyles in 11 southern states: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida,Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The magazine often highlights smaller towns that are "under the radar" of the national media.

"As baby boomers age, there will be an increasing interest in finding unspoiled smaller communities with great natural assets and a good quality of life,"Owens said. "Many retirees need an information source like Retirement Lifestyles to learn more about great lifestyle communities such as Chattanooga.We feel that Chattanooga has a great opportunity to prosper as a retirement destination," the publisher said.

Other communities making the Top Southern Retirement Towns List were: Natchez, MS; San Antonia, TX; Lafayette, LA; Dothan, AL;Morganton, NC; Georgetown, SC; Virginia Beach,VA; Valdosta, GA; Hot Springs, AR and Panama City, FL.

Retirement Lifestyles magazine, which has approximately 100,000 readers each issue, is published every other month. To order a free, mailed copy of Retirement Lifestyles magazine, visit www.retiresouth.com.