Two years after ranking 10th in Money magazine’s “Best Places to Live” report, Eden Prairie is once again on a list, this time, for being one the “Best Places to Retire,” according to U.S. News and World Report.

In the story, selected cities were described as “places way ahead of the healthy living curve – they provide numerous places to exercise, promote strong social support, and encourage healthy lifestyle habits. And each has a little something extra, too.”

The magazine’s feature on Eden Prairie notes that the city includes two Life Time Fitness centers along with an expanded Community Center.

“About 150 seniors take part in the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, in which participating insurers pay gym membership fees and organize classes,” it states.

On Tuesday at the Eden Prairie Community Center, one SilverSneakers class had a packed house.

Madalyn Pearson was among the group. Pearson noted she had just moved to Eden Prairie two years ago. Needless to say, she agreed with Eden Prairie’s newest ranking.

“I just love it,” she said about living in EP.

Joanne Bartel, director of Prairie Adult Care, agreed that it was a fair rating for Eden Prairie because of the full variety of services “that are here to help people adjust to retirement and to adjust to lifestyle changes that they might encounter.”

Bartel, who is involved in the Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging group, noted that there’s a variety of housing options in the city, and there’s a variety of services that are health related.

“There are endless recreational opportunities, many places to get involved as volunteers.”

City Manager Scott Neal was surprised when he heard about the ranking. While Money magazine had worked with city officials before it made its pick, Neal said that U.S. News and World report crew had connected to Eden Prairie through its Chamber of Commerce.

He said he was surprised by the ranking because he doesn’t think of Eden Prairie in that way.

 “We think of the community as a place of growing families.”

He noted that there’s a growing senior population in Eden Prairie “so that means that there are going to be more services that are oriented towards that population.”

Another advantage for Eden Prairie is its proximity to the city of Minneapolis and the airport, he added.

 “You can live in a safe community like Eden Prairie but you can have very easy access to a major metropolitan community and international travel.”

According to a news release from U.S. Media Group, the communities were selected based on “criteria that factored in the cost of living, climate, crime rate, access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and cultural and recreational amenities in a given area. All of the selected cities provide ample opportunities for active retirees to focus on their physical and mental health. Additionally, Bella Vista, Ark.; Boulder, Colo.; and Eden Prairie, Minn., are among a select list of cities noted for offering an environment ideally suited for active retirees focused on exercise, strong social support, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.”

The full list of communities chosen as the “best healthy places to retire” also includes: Bella Vista, Ark.; Boulder, Colo.; Green Valley, Ariz.; Issaquah, Wash.; Long Meadow, Mass.; Portland, Maine; Punta Gorda, Fla.; Reston, Va., and Walnut Creek, Calif.

Neal said the city is planning to look more deeply at the criteria used to pick Eden Prairie. He said they want to get an understanding about how Eden Prairie ranks well “then take a look at how we can even make it better."