Each year, CNN and Money Magazine rank the best places to live, the best places to buy a home and the best places to retire for those who are getting ready to make a change in the way that they live their lives. The research focuses on places where the economy offers a number of opportunities, places where there is safety for residents, places that offer a wide variety of things to do and that foster a sense of community among those who live there.

For those who have settled in Jacksonville, Florida's Riverside Avondale Historic district, it's little wonder that the area was included in the rankings for Top Places to Retire in 2007. Riverside lofts and Riverside condos alike take advantage of the area's great architecture and give residents access to everything that they are looking for - whether they have chosen a traditional retirement, retired early in life or they have made the choice to live and work in the same area in which they plan to retire.

The Riverside Avondale Historic District offers residents the opportunity to live both near and away from the city of Jacksonville. Those who call Riverside lofts or Riverside condos home quickly discover that they have easy access to downtown hospitals and services, but they are far enough away to stay out of the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Instead, those in the Riverside Avondale Historic District find that they are away from the traffic jams; they live in an area where they can get from where they are to where they want to be on foot - something that fosters a strong sense of community. Those who own Riverside condos know that they can easily access museums, gardens, outdoor parks, river views and overall convenience.

With weather that is temperate throughout the year, artists and art communities, access to some of the nation's best golf, jazz and chamber music concerts and skyline views, it's not difficult to understand why many are drawn to this area. Eclectic shopping is a highlight of the community, perhaps because the shopping boutiques also reference the variety of housing opportunities within the area.

The Villa Riva Riverfront condos are a gated Riverside condo community where luxury is key and amenities include a fitness center and swimming pool where residents can stay in shape. 1661 Riverside draws on the urban architecture of the area and offers both traditional and modern lofts and townhouses that allow residents to choose the size and style of the home in the Riverside Avondale Historic District. Those who are drawn to more modern styles within a building that fits within the overall landscape of the community will be drawn to Riverside lofts with open floor plans and state of the art features at The Chelsea Lofts.

Each property has its own character and its own best features that will appeal to different groups - just as the Riverside Avondale Historic district draws a diverse group of residents, all of whom come together as a community to enjoy all that is available: shopping, dining, relaxation, fitness, the arts and much more.