An oasis of peace and serenity. A gift waiting to be opened. Island living at its best. The island retirement communities that make our ranking list have succeeded in fulfilling the dreams of millions of people looking for that one destination that provides them with the lifestyle they desire. But there are so many options available; it can be a daunting task to decipher all of the details and determine which retirement community best fits your needs. BestRetirementDestinations.com takes all of the guesswork out of finding that perfect community. We have done extensive research into what criteria are important to those seeking to live in an Island community. The destinations that appear on our ranking system have proven themselves to be above the standard in five critical areas. Ranking Criteria: Scenic Beauty: Not all island communities are created equal. This category takes into account the natural beauty of the area and how the community takes advantage of that beauty. Do all the residences have a water view? Is the mainland too close to afford a pleasant view? Privacy: Odds are, if you are looking for an island community, your desire is to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Do you have private beach front? Are the residences in close proximity to each other? Is there a large population on the island so that privacy is hard to find? Island Services: It’s nice to get away from it all, but still have all the conveniences. This category is rated on the services available to island residents. Such items as shops, grocery stores, and restaurants are taken into consideration. Recreational Activities: The variety of activities is taken into account for this criterion. The option of both indoor and outdoor recreation provided by the community is considered. Safety/Security: This includes the level of the security force on duty. Is there 24 hour security that patrol? Are all public area’s well lit at night? The level of fire protection and the response time is also an important component of this criterion.