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When empty nesters choose a city, for the first time in years it can be all about them. So we picked cities with a strong cultural mix, as measured by the number of employees per capita involved in the performing arts. We also identified cities with plenty of outdoor amenities, such as marinas and golf courses. Because most people in the late summer of their lives already have good jobs and can afford more pricey housing, we concentrated on overall cost of living rather than employment statistics and housing affordability.

SAN FRANCISCO

Population: 4,071,751
Cost-of-Living Index: 157 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36%
Bohemian Indicator: 165
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 16%

Yes, it's expensive, but the City by the Bay is suited to empty nesters for a number of financial reasons. If you don't have kids and...

are well along in your career, San Francisco just becomes more affordable. Salary growth is strong, and it has a large concentration of people in the creative class.

Of course, it also happens to be one of the greatest places to live on the planet.

SEATTLE

Population: 3,144,715
Cost-of-Living Index: 108 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 33.7%
Bohemian Indicator: 141
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 13.9%

Wet happens in Rain City, but you can cure cabin fever by biking the Burke-Gilman Trail, hiking the Cascade foothills and boating on Lake Union.

The indoors action lies downtown, in the raffish bars, cozy bookstores, hip restaurants and funky coffee shops.

MADISON, WIS.

Population: 519,330
Cost-of-Living Index: 96 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34.3%
Bohemian Indicator: 128
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 17.9%

Madison has always lured back hometown kids and UW-Madison grads, but increasingly it's attracting empty nesters who are ready to trade in the suburbs for easy urban living. Madison offers plenty of amenities -- the arts, ethnic restaurants, pubs and shopping -- and includes the city's four in-town lakes plus many parks and trails. Although the state government and university still dominate employment, Madison is becoming a biotech center, too.

CHARLESTON, W.V.

Population: 301,716
Cost-of-Living Index: 93 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 27.9%
Bohemian Indicator: 69
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 9.8%

Charleston has an interesting combination of a low cost of living with a relatively strong creative class. The city is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with fine restaurants, art galleries, specialty shops and cafés along its tree-lined downtown streets.

BOULDER, COLO.

Population: 271,934 Cost-of-Living Index: 102 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 40.4%
Bohemian Indicator: 201
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 16.1%

You've got to love a city with 300 days of sunshine, a spectacular mountain setting and its very own teahouse, imported from Tajikistan.

Empty-nesters stay active by hiking the trails, biking Boulder Creek Path and sidestepping the jugglers on Pearl Street Mall.

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