In northeastern Virginia, 60 miles south of Washington, D.C. and directly to the west of Maryland, Colonial Beach (population 3,800) is a once-affluent, casual beach town and the last deepwater port for north-bound pleasure boats on the Potomac River. Settled in 1650 by the great-great-grandfather of President James Monroe, it has Virginia's second longest beachfront and a history of boom and bust.

For many years Colonial Beach was a playground for the nation's Eastern elite, particularly for people from Washington, D.C., most of whom arrived by boat. Grand summer "cottages" and elegant hotels were built to accommodate wealthy sunbathers and boaters. But in the early- to mid-20th-century, the fortunes of this "Playground on the Potomac" began to change as automobile travel became more in vogue and made reaching more distant beaches easier. Slot machine gambling revived Colonial Beach for a time in the 1950s, but a devastating fire in the 1960s and subsequent hurricanes each took their toll.

Today, Colonial Beach is primarily a working class community, and it is growing (by 18% in the last decade).  The cost of living is 6% below the national average. The median home price is $155,000, and homes within walking distance of the beach can be found for less than $175,000 (and condos on the beach can for found for less than $150,000). Monroe Point is a new, all ages town home development along the water and has units starting in the high-$100,000s.

Some summer cottages from Colonial Beach's heyday still stand and mingle with newer bungalows, Cape Cods and modest ranch-style single family dwellings. The mile long beach is still the town's main attraction, and although it fills up with bathers, umbrellas and jet skis during summer weekends, on weekdays it is often nearly empty.  Westmoreland State Park, just down the road, has boat rentals, camping facilities and more.  There are some fun festivals (the Potomac River Festival, the Bluegrass on the Potomac, the Rod Run to the Beach and the Boardwalk Arts and Crafts Festival), and the 4th of July fireworks over the water are a popular event.

Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation here, and they are allowed on town streets (as long as the driver has a license and insurance). Cart rentals are available for non-owners. Bay Transit, managed by Bay Aging, a non-profit senior services organization and part of a statewide network, also provides van transportation around town ($8 for 10 rides).

In addition to transportation, Bay Aging provides a number of other services, including Meals on Wheels, Medicare assistance, emergency home repair, home health care, legal assistance and congregate meals at the Westmoreland Senior Center.

Colonial Beach does not have its own hospital, but St. Mary's Hospital is in Leonardstown, Maryland, 18 miles away, and has 108 beds. It accepts Medicare and Medicaid patients. The next closest hospital is in La Plata, Maryland, 20 miles away. It has 130 beds and also accepts Medicaid and Medicare patients

Residents and visitors have roughly twenty restaurants in which to dine and a few antique and curio shops in which to shop (the closest Wal-Mart is 20 miles away). The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is small and sometimes doubles as a drivers' education location, but it has movie nights, nine public access computers and afternoon teas. A boardwalk (a path, really) runs along the beach, and the city pier is a popular spot for fishing.

Summers bring temperatures in the 80s and low 90s.  Winters have temperatures in the 20s, 30s and 40s.  Precipitation averages 4 inches per month, and it has been known to snow on the beach.  On the comfort index, a combination of temperature and humidity, Colonial Beach meets the national average.  The air quality and water quality are both above national averages, and the sun shines 208 days of the year. The last hurricane that struck the area was Irene in August of this year.

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Residents tend to tilt to the left politically.  The crime rate is well below the national average, and of the population, nearly 50% is age 45 or better.  On the down side, 25% of the population lives in poverty.