WEIRTON — One area city is being recognized for its affordability and quality of life for retirees.

U.S. News & World Report recently published its list of the Best Places to Retire, ranking Weirton as the second-best city out of a list of 250 communities across the country.

“Deciding where to spend one’s golden years is a deeply personal choice,” said Tim Smart, contributing editor and author of U.S. News & World Report’s retirement newsletter, YOLO: Your Smart Guide to Retirement. “The Best Places to Retire rankings offer a supportive guide that highlights places that are most likely to meet the wants and needs of current and future retirees.”

This year’s list began with the evaluation of more than 850 cities, narrowing it down to the top 250, based on how well the communities meet expectations such as quality of life, healthcare, retiree taxes, population, migration for those 55 and older, job market rankings, and affordability.

Those measures were weighted based on a public survey of individuals approaching retirement.

“As the mayor of Weirton, I am proud that our city is dedicated to ensuring our community is a safe, clean, affordable, and enjoyable place for residents of all ages. We are committed to providing an extensive array of activities and amenities for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Dean Harris. “Furthermore, one of our most valuable assets is our prime location, just 20 minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport, which provides a significant advantage for our city.”

The study also includes local, state, and federal data, provided by Applied Geographic Solutions, including details on crime rates and labor statistics.