ReZoom

It's no longer fashionable to move to Florida in the second half of your life for the weather. In the age of environmental awareness and global-warming-sensitivities, people are starting to pay more attention to regions that have more to offer folks who want to live green during their golden years.

"It's definitely becoming a trend for people to look at green factors, when they're deciding where to live," says Warren Karlenzig, the author of "How Green Is Your City?," a guide book which ranks US cities in terms of their environmentally friendly aspects. "Issues like public transportation and the walk-ability of a city are very important to baby boomers," Karlenzig says, "and people are asking about park land availability; they don't want to have to get in a car and drive for hours for recreation."

So where is the best place to reside if you'd like to live in an eco-friendly atmosphere?

"Portland, Oregon is the city with the highest green ranking," Karlenzig says. With very good air quality, abundant park space within the city, a vibrant arts community and free public transportation, Portland is very appealing to the environmental fan. "It's the only major city in the U.S. with free public transportation," Karlenzig adds. "It's unbelievable."

The next greenest metro region, according to the book's ranking, is Northern California's Bay Area because of its access to organic, locally grown food and a lot of green building initiatives. "Overall the West Coast states — from California up to Washington State have very good environmental initiatives and legislation," Karlenzig says.

Additionally, the six New England states from Maine to Connecticut have distinguished themselves. "Vermont is one of the cleanest, most progressive states in terms of environmental legislation," Karlenzig says. And the East Coast regions of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are doing a good job of putting their green feet forward.

But there are plenty of places whose shades of green pale in comparison. "Southern cities and most regions in the western sunbelt did relatively poorly in this study," Karlenzig says. A lot of it has to do with when these cities developed. "Cities like Houston and Phoenix expanded in the '60s, '70s and '80s, and that was the go-go era for the automobile," Karlenzig explains, "so they don't have much public transportation, which leads to bad air quality."

Today, there are a lot of places where air quality is so bad, it's not advisable to go outside and exercise during significant portions of the summer. "That impacts what people can do and how they can stay in shape and enjoy themselves," Karlenzig says.

As chief strategy officer of sustainlane.com, an internet company dedicated to empowering people to go green, Karlenzig is also quick to point out that a lot of green initiatives happening today have come about recently, and there's always room for creating change in any community.

The city of Miami, for instance, is a location newly in transition. With little sustainability-consciousness, "they were number 29 on our list, when suddenly Mayor Diaz got religion," Karlenzig says. "They are starting a comprehensive program to restore green space; they've adopted a climate change program, and they're constructing a lot of green buildings. It's profound to see the changes that can go on," he adds.

Folks considering a move in the future can always check in at sustainlane.com for the latest updates on the green-revolution. "If it's not green today, it might be tomorrow," Karlenzig says. "There is still time for cities to reinvent themselves."

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At ReZoom, one of the ways we want to help build a better world is by being kinder to the earth. Check in for regular tips and ideas on making your life and home more environmentally friendly.