In its September/October 2010 issue, Where to Retire magazine, the only magazine geared to helping people with retirement relocation decisions, features eight spirited college towns with super deals. The article is the fifth installment in the magazine’s yearlong series called “Ready for the Rebound,” spotlighting destinations that are great for retirees and offer unusually good buys in housing. Now, as a special feature in each issue, “Ready for the Rebound: Hot Spots for Retirement Real Estate Discounts” provides insight into current bargains in places chosen by the editors from extensive research into home prices over the past decade.

Where to Retire editor Mary Lu Abbott said “Ready for the Rebound” sheds light on the unique opportunities for baby boomers and retirees to snap up dream retirement real estate at discounts, with the current market’s record low housing prices, low interest rates and high inventory. The September/October installment gives readers a sample of places with a college or university that have great sale prices today.

“College towns provide retirees the opportunity to continue their education while enjoying a myriad of cultural and sports offerings,” Abbott said. “These dynamic destinations offer a vibrant lifestyle with a fun spirit that many seek in retirement.

College towns also have some of the most affordable homes in the country. We have chosen eight locales from coast to coast.” The cities featured in this issue are Eugene, OR; Missoula, MT; Fayetteville, AR; Athens, GA; Knoxville, TN; Williamsburg, VA; Madison, WI; and Tallahassee, FL. The September/October issue mails to subscribers nationwide on July 30, 2010.

“Eugene, home of the University of Oregon, offers biking trails and vineyards for outdoor enthusiasts and is ideal for retirees looking for a small-town feel with big-city amenities. Located in a valley along the Clark Fork River, Missoula harbors the University of Montana and a wide range of outdoor and cultural activities including golf, theaters and museums. The University of Arkansas Razorbacks call Fayetteville their home, as do many retirees who enjoy the four-season climate, mountain setting and Arkansas’ largest performing arts and entertainment venue.

In northeast Georgia, Athens combines quirky vibes and Southern traditions with the opportunity to take classes at the University of Georgia and cheer the Bulldogs at sporting events. Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee and two other colleges, and offers a low cost of living and low housing prices along with proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. A youthful spirit is ignited by the College of William & Mary located in Williamsburg, VA, where retirees are drawn by an easygoing lifestyle and Colonial ambience in the historic district. The center of a large metropolitan area,

Madison mixes urban perks and outdoor fun with the benefits of the University of Wisconsin and the political scene of the Wisconsin Capitol. Tallahassee, home to two colleges including Florida State University, is brimming with arts and culture, offering more than 500 music, dance and theater events throughout the year,” Abbott said.

Each year, 700,000 Americans relocate to new towns to retire. Generally, relocating retirees are healthier, better educated and more affluent than retirees who choose to not relocate; they bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns. Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.