Six Surprising Retirement Trends You Need To Know (4 of 5)

Increasing the activity level

"The choice of recreational activities is gradually shifting as the baby boomer generation heads into retirement," said U.S. News & World Report. "A recent study by the Physical Activity Council revealed some interesting findings. Activities that are increasing in popularity include camping, bicycling, hiking and canoeing. Activities that are decreasing in popularity include golf, swimming for fitness and working out using machines or weights."

The AARP found that boomers are increasingly migrating to states "with mild climates and recreational options. "A newly released survey indicates that those who do move increasingly choose mountain and western states where they find a desirable combination of affordable housing, mild weather and outdoor recreational opportunities, such as skiing and hiking," they said. United Van Lines' National Movers Study found that the Mountain West region - which stretches from Arizona to Wyoming - attracted the "biggest influx of older people, with 24.5 percent of those moving citing retirement as a reason for relocating." That represents a strong shift from several decades ago "when older people mostly left northern states and headed southward. ‘We're seeing retirees being attracted to more outdoor adventure destinations than in the past."