This study examines citizen concern of extreme events and their views of planned retreat as aclimate adaptation strategy to reduce the risk of flooding in five Swedish waterfront municipalities.Data were collected using a survey questionnaire (n = 1000). Sociodemographic and placebasedcharacteristics were included in a basic framework of analysis. The data were statisticallyprocessed using the chi-squared test of independence and T-test for comparison of means. Placebasedcharacteristics revealed themselves as important variables that are associated withawareness and concern of climate change. The respondents in all municipalities shared a concernfor flooding and water scarcity. The concerns of storms, forest fires and erosion were clearlylinked to place-based characteristics such as land use and geography. Variables such as age,gender, education, and income did not reveal themselves as significant for the rating of whichtypes of serious events that were of concern to the respondents. The opinion of planned retreat asan adaptation strategy also reflected place-based characteristics, and there were significant differencesbetween the municipalities. Preferences for adaptation through protection, relocation orno action were associated with the hypothetical flooding frequency, gender, age and education.Women and young respondents were more likely to consider the possibilities of a retreat strategyfor creating attractive natural and recreation areas than other demographic groups. The mainobstacles for planned retreat were shown to be financial, followed by technical and political issues.The findings highlight the need for policy- and decision-makers to recognize local/regionalgeography and settlement patterns in tailoring adaptation and preparedness strategies.