We retired to this small town in southern Ohio in 2000 and we just love it. Almost no crime, no terrible weather, friendly people and reasonable cost of living compared to most places.
My brother moved from San Francisco to Marietta Ohio, where he had gone to college in the 1960's. He bought a little house close to the college for about what a few months rent would have been in San Francisco. Marietta College has lots of programs open to everyone, an Indie film Festival, musical programs, art classes, etc. He took advantage of all that and made lots of friends. When his final years came along he was just a few minutes away from a good hospital. Perfect decision for him.
My other brother, the rich one, bought a condo on the ocean at Myrtle Beach, as they aged and the hurricanes got worse they moved inland a little bit to one of those assisted living places that cost a fortune, but are like living on an elegant cruise ship every day, cleaning and laundry done, 24 hour nursing on call if needed, entertainment, rides to the golf course, rides to the doctor, craft groups for her, poker games for him, bridge, art, swimming, aerobics. They can cook in their apartment, but most nights they eat in the dining room where the pretty young waitresses, serve them while doing song and dance routines (really.)