Looking at yourself today versus the person you were in college may seem like comparing two completely different people. But your twentysomething self and your retiree (or future retiree) self might agree on one thing: The college towns you once loved can make surprisingly great places to retire.

After all, the things that make a college town appealing don’t necessarily have an expiration date. Walkable downtowns, restaurants and coffee shops, cultural events, green spaces, health care, and plenty of opportunities to learn matter just as much at 65 as they do at 25. And unlike many traditional retirement destinations, college towns tend to offer something else: a built-in mix of generations. Here are eight college towns that could make surprisingly appealing retirement destinations.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has more than 150 parks and green spaces and more than 300 restaurants, while its proximity to Detroit — about 35 miles away — makes big-city attractions easily accessible.

For retirees, the university brings more than college sports and campus events. Michigan Medicine provides an extensive network of hospitals, specialty clinics, and medical services, while the university’s museums, performing arts, and educational programming give residents plenty of ways to stay engaged. Outdoorsy retirees can hike or bike along the city’s trails, explore Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens, or paddle the Huron River. 

Downtown Ann Arbor also offers a year-round farmers market, independent shops, galleries, and enough restaurants to make trying a new one a regular pastime. For a memorable meal, Gandy Dancer serves fine cuisine inside a beautifully restored 1886 Michigan Central Depot, giving diners a taste of Ann Arbor history along with dinner.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill grew up around the University of North Carolina, and its college-town identity remains central to life here. Retirees can take advantage of UNC’s educational, cultural, and medical resources without giving up the pleasures of a Southern college town. A stroll through the university’s historic campus to bask in its architectural delights can be followed by an afternoon at the North Carolina Botanical Garden or dinner along Franklin Street, which forms the heart of downtown. 

And with Durham and Raleigh nearby, residents have access to additional museums, restaurants, performing arts venues, and sporting events. For retirees who want a smaller community without feeling isolated from a larger metropolitan area, Chapel Hill offers a particularly appealing combination of small-town atmosphere and big-city access.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia. The city’s Downtown Mall, one of the country’s longest pedestrian malls, is lined with restaurants, shops, theaters, and music venues, while the surrounding region is known for wineries, orchards, and the natural beauty of Shenandoah National Park.

The university also provides access to a major medical center and a steady calendar of lectures, performances, and other cultural events. Retirees can spend a morning exploring UVA’s historic Lawn, visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, or head into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a hike. More than 40 wineries are part of the Monticello Wine Trail, and the Rivanna River offers opportunities for kayaking and canoeing.

Athens, Georgia

Located about 70 miles east of Atlanta, Athens is home to the University of Georgia and a walkable downtown filled with restaurants, shops, and creative spaces. UGA’s historic North Campus sits directly across from downtown, making the university and the city feel like one interconnected community.

The so-called “Classic City” also has something many college towns lack: a music reputation that extends well beyond campus. Athens has been a launching pad for major musical acts such as the B-52s and R.E.M., while its food scene has grown alongside its arts and cultural offerings. Retirees can catch a live show downtown and hit up local institutions such as Last Resort Grill, known for contemporary Southern cuisine and its famous white chocolate cheesecake. 

In Athens, you can also visit the Georgia Museum of Art, explore the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, or simply spend an afternoon browsing the city’s independent boutiques and restaurants. The city offers convenient access to Atlanta, too, making it possible to enjoy a smaller-town pace without giving up big-city attractions.

Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City is a college town with an unusually literary personality. Home to the University of Iowa’s renowned Writers’ Workshop, the city was designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2008 — the first city in the U.S. to receive the designation.

The university campus blends almost seamlessly into downtown, where the pedestrian mall is filled with independent shops, restaurants, live music, theaters, and galleries. Residents can follow the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk, visit Prairie Lights bookstore, attend an author reading, or catch a performance at Hancher Auditorium.

The University of Iowa also provides access to a major health care system, and it’s easy to stay active in the more than 50 parks, trails, and natural areas that surround the city. For anyone who has ever wanted to spend retirement with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other, Iowa City makes a convincing case.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas and combines a college-town atmosphere with easy access to outdoor recreation. Dickson Street stretches from the university toward the historic downtown square, creating a lively corridor of restaurants, entertainment, and shops.

Fayetteville also has a surprisingly robust cultural scene for a city its size. The Walton Arts Center hosts concerts, Broadway shows, theater, dance, and art exhibitions, while the Fayetteville Farmers Market fills the downtown square with local vendors during much of the year. Locals can hike or bike in the Ozarks, explore the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, attend a performance, or make the short trip to nearby Bentonville for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. As an added bonus, Fayetteville remains relatively affordable compared with many popular college-town retirement destinations.

Eugene, Oregon

Set in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Eugene is home to the University of Oregon. The university campus is easily walkable and bikeable, while the Oregon coast, the Cascade Mountains, and Portland are all within roughly a two-hour drive. Public transportation connects Eugene with the coast and the Cascades, too. 

Still, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to explore without even leaving town. Eugene has more than 70 miles of paved off-street bike paths and 4,800 acres of natural areas, including trails, rivers, and parkland. The city also boasts a thriving food and arts scene, with a Saturday Market featuring hundreds of craft and food vendors, more than 60 live music venues, and more than 100 street murals. For retirees who’d rather fill their days with hiking, cycling, farmers markets, and concerts than golf carts and shuffleboard, Eugene offers an appealing alternative.

Brunswick, Maine

Home to Bowdoin College, Brunswick is a quintessential New England college town with a walkable downtown just steps from campus. This city of about 20,000 residents offers a wide selection of restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and the independent Eveningstar Cinema. Bowdoin College also opens many of its lectures, concerts, athletic events, libraries, and museums to the public.

Brunswick offers retirees an unusually good combination of cultural and outdoor attractions. The Maine Maritime Museum is nearby, while the town’s location on the Midcoast puts beaches, islands, historic villages, and other coastal destinations within easy reach. 

Additionally, the Amtrak Downeaster station is a five-minute walk from Bowdoin’s campus, with trains running south to Portland and Boston and north to Freeport. That makes it possible to enjoy small-town Maine life without being completely cut off from a major city.