The active and involved retirees who choose Lawrence for their home are a great asset to the community.

If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be? For thousands of people of retirement age, the answer apparently is Lawrence.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine is the latest publication to feature Lawrence as one of the most popular retirement communities in the nation. Those who have chosen Lawrence for their retirement say they like the activities and the interesting people they find here.

Many of the city’s retirees have had some connection with Kansas University and want to return to the home of their alma mater, but even those who have no previous connection to KU are attracted by the cultural and athletic events that come with a university community.

Census figures show that the local population of people 60 years old and older has risen by 19.8 percent in the 1990s, just below the city’s overall growth of 22 percent in the same period. People move to Lawrence because of its size, its beauty and other amenities. Kiplinger’s also noted that people picked Lawrence over warmer locations because they either enjoyed the change of seasons or were willing to overlook some winter cold to enjoy the other assets Lawrence has to offer.

Having so many retirees choose Lawrence for their home is a great compliment and asset for the community. Many of the retirees are financially secure and have a fair amount of disposable income to spend in our community. They also bring a wealth of experiences garnered during a lifetime of interesting vocations and travels.

The city is fortunate to attract so many people with such broad knowledge and expertise. We should welcome these retirees and seek ways to draw them into community activities. Some organizations, such as the New Generation Society, already act as a gathering point for many of these active retirees. Many enjoy university-sponsored events as well as various local leisure activities.

Local retirement communities are expanding to provide attractive housing options for these retirees. As they become less active, some of the retirees also may benefit from public transportation systems and other services for the aging population. High-quality services in areas such as health care and public safety probably also are a drawing card for Lawrence. Maintaining and expanding those services is another way to make retirees feel welcome and secure in our community.

There’s no place many of us would rather live than Lawrence. We’re glad so many retirees share that view. They are a welcome addition and a great asset to our community.