Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Arizona
Retire in a Hotel for Pinterest
Three Top Art Towns (onesignal)
Once a busy ferry stop on the Colorado River, today Yuma is a tourist and "snowbird" destination that comes alive during the winter months.
Short Review:
Marquette is a pretty seaport on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and boasts a scenic waterfront, two beaches, dozens of parks, several theaters, a university, a regional medical center and more.
Evanston started with the railroad and is a quiet, high-altitude hamlet with a historic downtown and the Uinta Mountains looming in the distance.
Home to the University of the South, cozy, leafy Sewanee sits atop the Cumberland Plateau in pretty south central Tennessee.
Ventura is a seductive seaside city known for its lively cultural scene, classic beaches, fun downtown, eclectic architecture and lively boardwalk.
Outside of Orlando in northeastern Florida, Longwood is quiet, leafy and suburban.
Part of Delaware's touristy beach resort area, Rehoboth Beach is known for its boardwalk and classic beach vibe.
Surrounded by apple orchards deep in northern Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is a quaint place rich in history.
Willow Lawn Cottages: a Small 55+ Community in Winchester, Virginia
This peaceful community is an established place and has 124 single family homes, a clubhouse and a nearby coffeehouse.
A lively cultural scene, classic beaches, good medical facilities and a fun downtown are Ventura highlights. Is it a great place to retire?
Steeped in history, charming Leesburg makes its home in a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, horse farms and low slung stone walls.
In the Ozark Mountains of southeastern Missouri, touristy Branson is a hugely popular entertainment hub with museums, outdoor shows, gospel groups, music acts, light shows, shopping venues, eateries and more.
Popular with artists and historians, Santa Fe is sophisticated but understated and is known for its unique architecture, rich heritage, top notch restaurants, art galleries and hint of mysticism. It is a great retirement spot!
Founded by Italian Waldensian immigrants, Valdese has a scenic setting and is proud of its unique Old World heritage.
Laid back Morro Bay is a beach town with an excellent farmers' market, a seaside golf course and fun festivals.
Town Snapshots:
"Two miles long and a smile wide," compact Madeira Beach sits on an island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Boca Ciega Bay and has a colorful mix of housing.
The quiet little town of Lake Waccamaw is on the northern edge of oval-shaped, 9,000-acre Lake Waccamaw and is popular with second home owners.
On a "Forgotten Coast," Eastpoint, a secluded little village, sits next to a state forest, across from a barrier island and close to pristine beaches.
Nestled along tranquil Lake Weiss in northeastern Alabama, Centre is quiet, affordable and down to earth. Is it a great place to retire?
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii
This sprawling, rural subdivision is bordered by water, a forest preserve and is mostly off the grid.
Charming Pinehurst was originally designed to resemble a New England village and today is a golf destination with a cute downtown.
Pretty Land O' Lakes is a quiet place, dotted with bodies of water and shaded neighborhoods. It also has a couple of nudist resorts.
Mauldin sits in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a pleasant, well-managed place.
A scenic town on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Horseshoe Bay is home to the Horseshoe Bay Resort and boasts lovely homes.
Edwardsville is a friendly city in southwestern Illinois, just 25 miles outside of St. Louis, Missouri. It is home to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, which has a beautiful, wooded campus.
Trendy and touristy, Steamboat Springs is tucked in Colorado's rugged northwestern mountains and is a magnet for elite skiers and vacationing families.
Isle of Hope is an enchanting little coastal town with elegant manors, canopied lanes, a picturesque marina and a deep sense of history.
Known for its beautiful German architecture, touristy, historic Fredericksburg is in the Texas Hill Country and is surrounded by peach groves, herb farms and bluebonnet fields.
Laid back Placencia Village sits on the southern tip of a long peninsula and is best known for its 16 miles of powder white beaches and crystal clear blue waters.
A cozy Appalachian Mountain resort getaway, Highlands is within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest and brims with charm.
Dotted with lakes and laced with canals, suburban Royal Palm Beach is in southeastern Florida and has neat neighborhoods, good restaurants and plenty of parks.
Part of Delaware's touristy waterfront resort area, old fashioned Rehoboth Beach is known for its mile-long wooden boardwalk and classic beach vibe.
Just west of entertainment-hub Myrtle Beach, Socastee is reasonably priced with neatly laid out neighborhoods and classic beaches just down the road.
Peaceful Newport sits near Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Crystal Coast and has a country seaside vibe with reasonable housing costs.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of scenic central Virginia, Forest is home to wonderful Poplar Forest, one of Thomas Jefferson’s summer residences, and is popular with history buffs.
Spread across two barrier islands on Texas' eastern Gulf Coast, Galveston is a quirky and slightly worn but has a friendly reputation and plenty of things to do.
Once a sleepy fishing village, charming Venice boasts palm-lined streets, a strong arts culture, calm waters and dark sand beaches.
Nestled in the lush rolling hills of northeastern Tennessee, Norris is a charming town based on the English garden city design movement of the 1890s and has a pretty central square. Is it a great place to retire?
Located in north central Florida, mellow, semi-rural Tavares bills itself as "America's Seaplane City" and borders four large lakes.
A large Phoenix suburb, Mesa is home to golf courses, an arts center, 10 aquatic centers and a large variety of neighborhoods and housing.
Avalon is on Santa Catalina Island in Southern California and is a beautiful, upscale place, only reachable by ferry and small plane. On the island of Kauai, mellow Hanapepe sits in a lush valley and is home to cute shops, artists, entrepreneurs and overgrown neighborhoods. Pleasant, suburban Pearland is outside of Houston in southeastern Texas and has safe neighborhoods, master-planned communities and nearby lakes.
Canyon, the setting for West Texas A&M University, is also the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a dramatic canyon system second only in size to the Grand Canyon. Surrounded by apple orchards deep in northern Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is a quaint place rich in history. Nestled in scenic western North Carolina, Fletcher sits in hilly terrain and has a suburban, country vibe. On the rugged Oregon coast, Florence is a weathered, touristy hamlet with a cute downtown, uncrowded beaches and a magical hobbit trail. Outside of Phoenix, Gilbert lands on "best places to live" lists and boasts plentiful shopping, good eateries and safe neighborhoods.
Just two hours away from everything (according to locals), Lexington boasts reasonable prices and nearby lake recreation.
In the central highlands of Lanai, Lanai City is an old plantation town with many of its 1920s building still standing. A ferry takes locals to Maui for shopping and services. Once home to pirates, rum runners and sea captains, this waterfront hamlet is now popular with history lovers, romantics, water aficionados and retirees. One of Arkansas' largest cities, Conway is home to three colleges and close to lake recreation.
Stimulating, youthful Amherst sits in a region known as Happy Valley in rural western Massachusetts and may be one of the most progressive places in the United States. Just outside of Augusta in eastern Georgia, Evans sits in the middle of golf country and is quiet and safe. On the rural Big Bend coast, the relaxed little fishing village of Steinhatchee makes its home, attracting tourists and fishermen alike. Steinhatchee Landing Resort: a Secluded Resort in Steinhatchee, Florida
Quaint and seductive, Steinhatchee Landing Resort boasts a boat dock, a spa, a swimming pool and charming cottages, some of which are occasionally for sale. At the edge of the Cumberland Plateau where the mountains meet carpets of bluegrass, rural Berea is a quiet place steeped in Appalachian culture. Home to Berea College, it also attracts tourists and shoppers and is a great retirement spot!
Surfside Beach, South Carolina An easygoing oceanfront town, Surfside Beach is on the Grand Stand and has two miles of white sand with 36 access points. In Depth Review: Tucked in scenic western North Carolina, Brevard beckons with its musical soul, cute downtown, many waterfalls and reasonable cost of living. Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, sunny Chandler boasts nearly a dozen golf courses, a public art gallery, art walks, jazz festivals, block parties and more.
Along the Harpeth River in a gently rolling landscape outside of Nashville, Franklin has an award-winning historic downtown, a wine festival, a jazz festival, plenty of eateries and more.
Built by the Walt Disney Company, Celebration boasts tree-lined neighborhoods with New Urbanism architecture and white picket fences, a brightly-colored town center, a pretty waterfront and more. It is a great place to retire?
Originally a Spanish fishing village, today Key West draws tourists from around the world with its tropical vibe, famous Duval Street and unique architecture. Hailed as a great place to live, Allen boasts leafy neighborhoods, friendly people, a bounty of parks, a beautiful library, plentiful shopping and more. Popular with tourists and "snowbirds," beautiful Clearwater spans the Pinellas Peninsula on Florida's mid-Gulf Coast and is famous for its breathtaking beaches and turquoise waters. On Wyoming's southeastern plains, peaceful, unpretentious Cheyenne makes its home, attracting people looking for the authentic American West, blue skies, dry air and wide open spaces. September 27, 2020 Town Snapshot: On grassy rolling hills under a massive, majestic sky in north central Colorado, Castle Rock is safe, prosperous and growing fast. Largo, sandwiched betweeen Old Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west central coast, is a pleasant city with a bustling downtown and lots of lakes.
On the way to Yellowstone National Park, Red Lodge is cute, touristy and an outdoor adventure hub in rugged terrain.
Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smoky Mountains in scenic western North Carolina, Asheville is an artsy, funky town with Southern sensibility and an emerging resort-like atmosphere.
Lush and low key, Easley is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern South Carolina and boasts a country ambiance.
In the lush Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Ellijay is a quiet country town where the whip-poor-wills whistle. It is also known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia." (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
A laid back coastal city, Corpus Christi has an eclectic population, a pretty skyline, a nice bayfront, plenty of beaches and more. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
This quirky upscale East Bay town is in a lush canyon 30 miles north east of San Francisco and is part of the scenic Carquinez Strait shoreline. Peaceful Lakeland, also known as Swan City, has a nice downtown, 38 named lakes and a way of life that revolves around the water. Next to the Indian River Lagoon on Florida's Space Coast, Palm Shores is a quiet, reasonable priced town where many people know one another. Tucked along the Colorado River in rugged western Colorado, Palisade is surrounded by peach orchards, truck farms and a growing number of vineyards. This college town boasts a chamber orchestra, a ballet company, community theaters, art galleries, a variety of housing and reasonable prices.
With sugar white sand, emerald waters and tall, gleaming beachside condos, Orange Beach looks like a picture postcard and is a favorite vacation destination.
Old fashioned Floral City is a quiet, country place at the edge of the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes and has tall oaks, reasonable prices and a nice reputation.
Once a logging hub, today cozy Whitefish is a touristy year round resort with a spectacular mountain scenery backdrop.
Quiet, safe Edgewater is a waterfront town just west of the Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve on Florida's northeastern coast and has a country quality.
Beautiful, balmy Tequesta is burrowed between two waterways on Florida's southeastern coast and is part of the Jupiter Inlet.
Mellow, "beachy" Morro Bay became a summer vacation destination at the turn of the 20th century. After World War II, it also became a fishing village and is still one today.
Known as the "last free place in America," Slab City is a squatter settlement that is home a a sizeable number of RV "snowbirds" and people who want to live off the grid.
Near the southeastern Florida coast and named after its many coconut palms, Coconut Creek has an abundance of parks, gardens, canals and lushly landscaped avenues, not to mention the world's largest butterfly aviary.
Outside of Phoenix in sunny southern Arizona, Tempe is home to the University of Arizona, plenty of golf courses, a popular arts festival and more.
A quiet suburban atmosphere, wide boulevards lined with palm trees and neighborhoods interwoven with canals are Pembroke Pines' highlights.
In rugged terrain east of the Cascade Mountain Range, picturesque Wenatchee sits amid rivers, mountains and apple orchards.
Tucked in the rolling hills of western Kentucky, Bowling Green was once the capital of Confederate Kentucky and today is home to Western Kentucky University.
Town Snapshot:
Beautiful, balmy Tequesta is tucked between two waterways on Florida's southeastern coast and is part of the Jupiter Inlet.
Town Snapshot:
Along the Virgin River in southern Nevada, Mesquite, once just a dusty, desert outpost, is today a gambling resort that draws three million tourists per year.
This affluent barrier island town is 15 miles east of Charleston on the mid-South Carolina coast and is known for its clean beaches, colorful, open-air eateries and beautiful homes.
The little town of Dillard is buried in northern Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and is popular with tourists and "weekenders" from Atlanta.
Outside of Dallas/Fort Worth, wholesome Flower Mound sits along Grapevine Lake and has parks, miles of trails, well-tended neighborhoods, a nice library, and yes, a flower mound.
Situated along the banks of two large lakes, Madison is a progressive college town with festivals, museums, a ballet, an opera, a symphony, a zoo, a fun pedestrian mall and much more.
Bayonet Point, FloridaIn an area dotted with primitive wetlands and woodlands, peaceful Bayonet Point sits next to Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, a place where dolphins, gray foxes and tortoises make their home.
Attractive Athens sits in the Hocking River Valley in pretty southeastern Ohio and is surrounded by rolling hills. While coal companies were once the major employers here, now Ohio University (22,000 students) is the lifeblood of the city and has a lovely campus.
A quaint fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay, Rock Hall dates from 1701 and has more than a dozen marinas with boats of all shapes and sizes.
Town Snapshot:
With an idyllic coastal setting, the little working fishing village of Southport boasts marinas, salt-laden air and a well-worn waterfront dock.
Compact, colorful and tucked into Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye, mellow San Pedro is a tourist destination and is popular with divers and snorkelers.
Bordered by Everglades National Park, Coral Springs started out as a master planned development and today is known for its well managed government and rich quality of life.
Quiet and safe, Ocean View touches Indian River Bay in southern Delaware and is adjacent to popular Bethany Beach, a popular, high-end seaside resort to the east.
The mellow seaside hamlet of New Smyrna Beach is on the northeastern Florida coast and boasts a long clean beach, excellent water recreation, an artsy vibe and a cute downtown.
Nestled along Lake Norman in rolling western North Carolina, Cornelius is a pretty community with an attractive downtown.
Outside of Atlanta, leafy Athens is known as the "Classic City" and is home to the University of Georgia and has a lively atmosphere, a fun downtown, strong senior programs, a rich cultural scene and stately architecture.
On the banks of the Colorado River, comfortable Marble Falls is in the middle of the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes Chain.
An upscale, seaside resort community, Cannon Beach has one of the most beautiful beaches in Oregon and is a popular weekend getaway destination.
With an invigorating setting on Oregon's rugged southern coast, little Gold Beach is popular with fishermen, outdoor lovers and retirees.
Tega Cay sits on a densely forested peninsula on the eastern edge of 13,400-acre Lake Wylie and was built as a gated community in the 1970s.
Romantic and full of history, St. Augustine sits on the northeastern Florida coast and is known for its charming downtown, miles of beautiful beaches and scenic waterfront.
Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, Glendale boasts a symphony, a desert botanic gardens, a MLB spring training facility, golf courses, a wide range of neighborhoods and more.
With marshes and inlets on one side and the beaches of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island not far away, Yulee is a collection of suburbs with a country flavor.
Buried in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, historic Morganton has a nice downtown, fun events, nearby lake recreation and reasonable prices.
Tucked on a barrier island and known for its white/gray sand beach, Juno Beach is tranquil, casual and well-to-do.
A quiet country community with deep agricultural roots, Alachua boasts a cute downtown lined with Bradford pear trees.
An engaging atmosphere, Southern hospitality, good senior services and a reasonable cost of living are Clemson highlights.
Town Snapshots:
Home to Idaho State University, Pocatello is a peaceful city with a nice Old Town, a beautiful performing arts center and nearby outdoor recreation venues.
Casual Indian Harbour Beach sits on a barrier island and has waterfront homes, red and white sand and a rarely crowded beach park.
Bay Harbor Islands is a sun-soaked town that sits on two small islands along the southeastern Florida coast just east of North Miami. Beautiful beaches are close at hand.
Leafy and rural, Lake Alfred is a simple place with five named lakes and plenty of opportunities for fishing and boating.
Outside of Atlanta, little Pine Mountain has a small, touristy downtown and is close to beautiful Callway Gardens, FDR's Little White House and F.D. Roosevelt State Park.
Madison, a pretty city on the banks of Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, has shaded neighborhoods and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Rustic and charming with a nice downtown, Yachats is in a breathtaking setting, surrounded by mountains and the sea.
Winter Garden, a pleasant town known for its cute downtown, boasts leafy neighborhoods, a fun farmers' market, a good parks system and more.
Nestled on a three mile long barrier island on the southern North Carolina coast, Sunset Beach is a quiet place with a white sand beach, turtle talks, five golf courses and more.
Built in a rimrock canyon carved by the Yellowstone River, friendly Billings was once a Wild West town but today boasts a symphony, craft breweries and other manifestations of sophistication.
A sleepy town along the Indian River Lagoon, Sebastian is home to the country's first wildlife refuge and most biologically diverse estuary. People live here, too.
On Washington's Quimper Peninsula, charming Port Townsend enchants nearly everyone with its treasure trove of Victorian architecture, trendy shops, fun eateries, scenic setting and more.
Callawassie Island, South Carolina
Callawassie Island is a beautiful barrier island off of the southern South Carolina coast and is surrounded by tidal creeks and salt marshes.
South of Houston, little Surfside Beach is a laid back, windswept seaside village with a boathouse as its city hall.
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Kill Devil Hills, a place where pirates once drank rum so vile it could kill the Devil himself, is today one of the Outer Banks' most visited vacation destinations.
In northern Idaho's striking Palouse region, down-to-earth Moscow boasts a gentle spirit, a collegiate vibe, fun festivals and strong community spirit.
Next to two rivers on a high desert plateau in rugged western Colorado, unassuming Grand Junction has a mix of outdoor types, families, college kids and retirees.
At the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, Hickory boasts a lakeside setting, a nice downtown, fun festivals and a small college.
Reminiscent of Old Florida, Brooksville boasts a cute downtown, canopy lanes and a nearby state forest perfect for biking, fishing and picnicing.
Tucked amid rolling farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Mount Joy was founded by Scots-Irish immigrants and boasts a rich agricultural history.
Carolina Shores, North Carolina
Close to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Shores is popular with retirees and is a loose confederation of six well-manicured master planned communities.
In pretty north central Florida, Eustis is a charming lakeside town with a lovely downtown, red brick sidewalks and plenty of places to watch the sunset over the water.
Tucked in northern Vermont, Stowe is a charming town known for its skiing, "granola" vibe and very cute, very touristy downtown.
Historic Kilmarnock is in Virginia's Northern Neck and has a charming main street, wineries, a farmers' market and more.
A casual, pretty town laced with canals, Lighthouse Point has a nautical flea market, plenty of parks and homes that back to water.
Home to Kansas State University, leafy Manhattan often lands on "best places to live" lists and has a distinct collegiate atmosphere.
Tiny Edisto Beach is at the mouth of the Edisto River on the southern South Carolina coast and is a quiet seaside community with four miles of pristine beach.
In a pretty region, welcoming Walla Walla is known for its quaint downtown, wine culture and gentle ambiance.
Dredged from wetlands and the ocean floor, mellow Hernando Beach boasts direct Gulf access and homes that back to canals.
Madison, a picturesque showcase of an earlier place and time, boasts elegant historic homes, tree lined lanes, a cute downtown, nearby lake recreation and more.
On Mobile Bay's eastern shore, inviting Spanish Fort has a history dating back to 1712 and is primarily residential with tidy, wooded neighborhoods.
Surrounded by open space outside of trendy, collegiate Boulder, Lafayette is a peaceful town with a nice Old Town and a growing arts scene.
Show Low is a high altitude hamlet tucked into one of the country's largest stands of Ponderosa Pines and started out as the winnings in a poker game.
Beautiful Bountiful is known as the "garden spot of Utah" and is a clean, quiet, safe city in a very pretty area.
In a scenic valley on the edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, little Etowah is popular with people who want to live in trendy, neighboring Asheville but cannot quite afford it.
July 11, 2020
Town Snapshot:
On the shores of pretty Greers Ferry Lake in the Ozark Mountains of rural north central Arkansas, Fairfield Bay was founded in the mid-1960s as a resort and retirement community.
Short Review:
Along Aransas Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast, Rockport is a funky, low key tourist destination known for its clean beaches and outstanding fishing waters.
A quiet town on the southeastern Florida coast, Hobe Sound boasts a cute downtown and a secret beach with nearly empty sand.
Funky little Palmer Lake is tucked against the Pike National Forest in central Colorado and boasts expansive views and a cute downtown.
A mellow lakeside town, Groveland has a country quality and is peppered with weeping willows and palm trees.
On the edges of Arcata Bay in scenic northern California, Arcata is a very laid back, "granola" kind of place and home to Humboldt State University.
Wooded Ocean Pines, part town and part HOA, is on Maryland's Eastern Shore and has a beach club, a golf course, a tennis complex, a dog park and more.
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Pleasure Island sits along the southern North Carolina coast. On the island's northern end, the little town of Carolina Beach makes its home and boasts a low key, 1950s-ambiance with modest cottages in quiet neighborhoods.
Outside of Tulsa, Broken Arrow is clean and safe with a beautiful performing arts center, a nice downtown and reasonable costs.
Amid rolling hills and Amish farms, Canadian Lakes is known for its abundant outdoor recreation and is a favorite with retirees.
Bounded by the San Rafael Hills and the Angeles National Forest in southern California, Pasadena not only has a famous parade but tree-lined neighborhoods, golf courses, theaters, a fun Old Town and more.
This affluent town sits on an isthmus in a chain of lakes and has a cozy downtown, tree canopy lanes, an understated atmosphere and some extraordinary waterfront homes.
Black Mountain, North Carolina
In scenic western North Carolina, where the Swannanoa Valley meets the Black Mountains, cozy Black Mountain boasts abundant outdoor recreation, safe neighborhoods, an artsy vibe and a certain mountain mystique.
Beautiful Bardstown is nestled in the bluegrass pastures of north central Kentucly and known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World."
Nestled in Idaho's scenic Panhandle, Post Falls sits along the Spokane River and boasts safe neighborhoods, riverfront homes and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
McClellanville, South Carolina
Home to artists and writers, McClellanville is nestled against tidal creeks and saltwater marshes and is a beautiful, secluded place.
Slightly overgrown and near Lake Jovita in west central Florida, San Antonio has a rural quality, some fun festivals and a quiet way of life.
Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, sunny Chandler boasts nearly a dozen golf courses, a public art gallery, art walks, jazz festivals, block parties and more.
Considered by many to be the prettiest small city in Florida, Punta Gorda charms with its coastal locale, inviting cityscape, safe, canal laced neighborhoods and abundant boat recreation.
Tucked on the southern half of southwestern Florida's Pine Island, St. James City is rife with wildlife, boasts Old Florida charm and is sometimes called a "drinking town with a fishing problem."
Comfortable and outside of Nashville, Spring Hill is surrounded by farmland, dotted with parks and home to well-manicured neighborhoods.
Altamonte Springs is outside of Orlando and boasts reasonably priced living, with the white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach just an hour away.
A friendly town in Texas' lush Piney Woods, Tyler is known as the "Rose Capital of America" and boasts the largest municipal rose garden in the U.S. It also has a University of Texas campus, a ballet, a symphony orchestra and two lakes.
Next to the Indian River Lagoon on Florida's Space Coast, Palm Shores is a quiet, reasonable priced town where many people know one another.
A comfortable city outside of Dallas-Fort Worth, Grapevine gets its name from the wild grapes that once carpeted the land.
Nestled amid vineyards, wineries and farmland outside of San Francisco, beautiful Santa Rosa boasts a symphony, a theater collective, a summer repertory theater and a lovely downtown.
Beautiful Beaufort sits on a barrier island and boasts Lowcountry charm, a leisurely pace, stately antebellum architecture, canopy lanes and more.
In a pine forest outside of Raleigh, Apex is has a nice downtown, well tended neighborhoods, lots of green spaces and an educated populace.
Once home to Florida's largest sailing fleet, today Dunedin is known for its cute, walkable downtown, pretty marina and five miles of beautiful beaches.
A popular resort town, Lake Lure is in western North Carolina's scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and nestled around sparkling Lake Lure.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a Victorian village, an artists' retreat and a fun tourist destination all rolled into one.
Pensacola, reasonably priced, is a deep water seaport on the Panhandle and is famous for its wide, white sand beaches.
Unhurried and glistening, Melbourne Beach sits on a barrier island and is known for its beautiful stretches of white sand beaches.
Named after Benjamin Franklin and along the Harpeth River in a gently rolling landscape outside of Nashville, Franklin has an award-winning historic downtown, a wine festival, a jazz festival, plenty of eateries and more.
This friendly coastal town is in on the Panhandle and just across the Sound from Santa Rosa Island and its sparkling white sand beaches.
West of Fort Lauderdale, Plantation is comfortable and suburban with well-tended neighborhoods, historic golf courses, a botanic garden, an equestrian center and more.
Once a primary cattle shipping hub in West Central Texas, today Abilene is a quiet, friendly place home to families, military personnel, college students and retirees.
Situated along a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs has a rich culture and boasts a charming tourist area with an eclectic collection of sponge shops, galleries and eateries. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
Swaddled by mountain peaks and national forest in spectacular northwestern Colorado, Breckenridge is cute, trendy and touristy.
Beautiful, upscale Sonoma is in the heart of California's wine country and is tucked in a landscape of rolling farmland and fertile vineyards.
Outside of Reno in rugged western Nevada, Sparks is a growing city with a few casinos, a man-made lake with beaches, relatively new housing and plenty of sunshine.
Situated in San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, home to coastal marshes, islands and estuaries, St. Marks has an ends-of-the-world feeling about it and draws people in search of solace, scenery and maybe a little adventure.
College Station, deep in the beautiful Brazos Valley in the heart of Texas, is home to sprawling Texas A&M University and is a classic college town. Once known as Boggy Bayou, Niceville is located along the Choctawhatchee Bay on Florida's western Panhandle coast and is popular with military families and retirees. On one end of a long barrier island, picturesque Emerald Isle boasts white sand beaches, nesting sea turtles, blue green waters and fun festivals. On a prairie in the shadow of the Big Horn Mountains in wide-open north central Wyoming, Sheridan embodies the American West and is a safe, down to earth place. Reno sits at the base of the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains in western Nevada and is about an hour north of stunning Lake Tahoe. In rolling Middle Tennessee, Smyrna is quiet and reasonably priced with safe, leafy neighborhoods and sparkling, 10,000-acre Percy Priest Lake just down the road. September 23, 2020 Town Snapshot: A quiet town on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud has nicely tended neighborhoods and a cute downtown with brick streets. Posh and prosperous, San Luis Obispo is not far from the coast and known for its beautiful climate, charming town center and lack of fast food drive-thru restaurants. An amiable town with a casual Old West flavor and some beautiful homes, Golden is tucked between two table mountains and a canyon just west of Denver.
Not far from stunning Lake Tahoe, Carson City boasts frontier character and a dry, sunny climate. Is it a great place to retire?
Carolina Shores, North Carolina Close to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Shores is popular with retirees and is a loose confederation of six well-manicured master planned communities.
Not far from Albuquerque in north central New Mexico, Bosque Farms started out as part of a Spanish land grant and remains rustic and rural today.
Quiet Apollo Beach is not far from Tampa and has canal-laced neighborhoods, tasty seafood restaurants, a fun manatee festival and more.
Sleepy Mechanicsburg sits in the Cumberland Valley and has a quaint downtown, a long-running street fair and tidy neighborhoods with a variety of architectural styles.
This pretty city of lakes started out as a citrus farming center and today is a semi-rural bedroom community known for its high quality of life. Tequesta Gardens: a Settled 55+ Community in Tequesta, Florida
With tall trees and wide expanses of grass, Tequesta Gardens has condominiums, a recreation center, two swimming pools and more.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Reston was influenced by the garden city design movement and is dotted with streams, wildflower meadows, community gardens and lakes.
Bay St. Louis is a low key town amid rivers, marshes and estuaries along the Bay of St. Louis and the Gulf of Mexico.
Outside of Atlanta and well manicured, Woodstock is fast-growing with a nice downtown, a farmers' market and nearby lake recreation. Outside of San Antonio in the heart of the pretty Texas Hill Country, Boerne has a rich German heritage and a cute creekside downtown.
Snuggled around Eagles Mere Lake in the unspoiled mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, the cute little village of Eagles Mere started as a family resort. On the shores of Boca Ciega Bay west of St. Petersburg, Gulfport is known for its Old Florida waterfront district and bohemian vibe. On Maine's beautiful mid-coast, down-to-earth Brunswick is dotted with classic architecture and home to a small, selective liberal arts college.
Reasonably priced, quiet and safe, Pooler is not far from posh Hilton Head Island, sunny Florida beaches and bustling Atlanta.
Near the Santa Rosa Mountains, pretty La Quinta is the site of the world-famous PGA West golf complex and popular with tourists and "snowbirds."
About an hour north of Tampa and south of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, the rural Weeki Wachee is home to famous mermaids.
A popular resort town, Lake Lure is in western North Carolina's scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and nestled around sparkling Lake Lure.
In the wooded foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, Maryville boasts affordable living, safe neighborhoods, a beautiful library and outstanding outdoor recreation just down the road. Outside of Indianapolis, Fishers lands on "best places to live" lists, thanks to its very safe neighborhoods, wholesome atmosphere and friendly folks.
Swaddled by lush rolling hills in west central Arkansas, Russellville sits along the Arkansas River between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. It is an unpretentious, amiable place with affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and outstanding outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot!
Outside of Indianapolis, Fishers lands on "best places to live" lists, thanks to its very safe neighborhoods, wholesome atmosphere and friendly folks.
On the coast, Hudson was once a fishing and shrimping community but these days is popular with bargain-seeking "snowbirds," sun-worshipping vacationers, and yes, nudists.
Spread across two barrier islands on Texas' eastern Gulf Coast, Galveston is quirky and slightly faded but is a friendly place with plenty of things to do.
Tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, Auburn dates back to the California Gold Rush and is listed as a California Historic Landmark.
Once a lumber port town, charming Saugatuck is on Lake Michigan's sandy eastern shore and boasts an artsy vibe.
Facing Lemon Bay on the southwestern Florida coast, mellow Englewood has an old fashioned Florida vibe, nearby barrier island beaches, a cute downtown, excellent fishing and more.
On the eastern banks of the Chesapeake Bay, historic, artsy Easton has a quaint town center and an established feeling. Spread across the Point Brown Peninsula on Washington's scenic mid-coast, salty Ocean Shores was once a Hollywood jetsetter hangout and today is a weekend tourist destination.
About 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern Florida, Davie is known for its Western ambiance, horse culture and has four college campuses within its boundaries.
Outside of Houston, The Woodlands is an upscale master planned community and census designated place with shopping centers, golf courses, libraries, a town center and more.
Once a taro farming village and a sugar plantation town, today rural Laupahoehoe is home to a research tropical forest and has jaw-dropping views of incredibly blue water.
Idyllic Gulf Breeze sits at the end of a peninsula on the western Florida Panhandle and has the kind of white sand beaches and azure waters found on old-fashioned picture postcards.
Beautiful Diamond Bar is a well-to-do city nestled amid hills outside of Los Angeles. Beaches, deserts and mountains are all less than an hour away. Set in a valley in pretty southeastern Ohio, Athens is surrounded by rolling hills and is home to lively Ohio University.
Tucked on a barrier island off Georgia's southern coast, seductive St. Simons is known for its canopy lanes, understated elegance, rich history, long beaches and beautiful homes. It captivates nearly everyone.
Outside of Las Vegas and not too far from the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Henderson has a newish feeling about it and brims with master planned communities, shopping, golf courses and eateries. Is it a great place to retire?
In the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Broomfield is a prosperous town with shiny new neighborhoods, an art guild, a civic orchestra, mountain parks and more.
Davidson is a nice lakeside town that boasts a small liberal arts college, a quaint downtown and leafy neighborhoods.
Red Hill, quiet, suburban and reasonably priced, is just 10 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, white sand Atlantic beaches and the vast entertainment venues of the Grand Strand. A classic beach town, Miramar Beach is famous for its mesmerizing turquoise waters and miles of sugar white sand.
Dotted with open space, lakes and canals, pretty Palm Beach Gardens is on the southeastern Florida coast and is known for its many golf courses and gated communities.
Home to prestigious Smith College, Northampton has a liberal outlook, plenty of green spaces, interesting architecture and a bounty of amenities.
Kentucky's second largest city is in the heart of the state's lush Bluegrass Region and is known as the "Horse Capital of the World."
Once home to industrialist Henry Ford, attractive Richmond Hill sits along the Ogeechee River outside of Savannah and has leafy neighborhoods, a nice downtown and more.
Nestled along beautiful Maalaea Bay on Maui's dry southwestern coast, Kihei is a mellow resort city with a rugged tan sand beach and mountains in the distance.
A little village at 8,553 feet above sea level, Angel Fire sits in a beautiful valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a peaceful, outdoor-oriented place.
A mellow riverfront town, Ellenton has a rural quality, an interesting mix of neighborhoods, a historic plantation and nearby beaches.
Clean, pretty and prim, Madison sits along the Ohio River and has one of the largest, contiguous national historic districts in the United States.
Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, booming Buckeye sits in a green landscape of cotton and alfalfa fields and has many master-planned communities.
Between the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River on Florida's northeastern coast, Ormond Beach has an orange beach lined by tall hotels with beachfront pools.
At the western edge of the Okeechobee Waterway, Alva has a landscape of grazing cattle, citrus groves and large oak trees with hanging moss, evoking Old Florida.
This low key town/master planned community has a country quality, a couple of golf courses, planned events and no HOA fees.
Tiny Duck, a designated bird sanctuary, is on the Outer Banks and has a cute, touristy boardwalk, fun events, a pristine seven mile beach and an affluent seaside ambiance.
Along the San Gabriel River in lush central Texas, friendly Georgetown boasts a beautifully restored downtown, a colorful flower festival, safe neighborhoods and a casual way of life.
In the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Banner Elk is a vacation destination with a cute downtown.
Carolina Shores, North Carolina Close to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Shores is popular with retirees and is a loose confederation of six well-manicured master planned communities.
Tucked in northern Georgia's Appalachian Mountain foothills, Dahlonega boasts a scenic setting, a cute downtown, plenty of festivals and a gentle pace. It is a great retirement spot!
Just east of Phoenix in southern Arizona, cosmopolitan Scottsdale bustles with activity and is known for its richly textured quality of life. Peaceful Leland sits on the banks of the scenic Brunswick River in coastal southeastern North Carolina and is surrounded by inland marshes and twisting tributaries. On the rugged Maine coast, Boothbay is an old fishing village with a working class sensibility, a touristy boardwalk and salt-laden air. Outside of Tucson in southern Arizona, Marana is home to master planned communities, golf courses, concerts in the park, a farmers' market and more.
Once a sleepy fishing village, charming Venice boasts palm-lined streets, a strong arts culture, calm waters and dark sand beaches.
In the sleepy coastal village of Little River, the oldest town along the Grand Strand, life moves at a gentle pace, and playing in the water is a common activity.
This tranquil barrier island community is on the northeastern Florida coast. The beach is rarely crowded, and costs are reasonable.
Outside of Tucson in southern Arizona, pretty Sahuarita is home to pecan orchards, safe neighborhoods, Southwestern architecture and reasonable prices.
In a canyon along a river deep in the spectacular Rocky Mountains, little Dolores is an outdoor adventure hub popular with rafters, cyclists, fishermen, skiiers, campers and others.
Kaunkakai is a very mellow town on Molokai's southern shore and is known for its nearly empty beaches.
Home to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is a lively city with athletic events, museums, film festivals and more.
A working fishing village and deep water seaport on the Florida Panhandle, Carrabelle has a nice beach and an Old Florida vibe.
Set in a desert landscape punctuated with buttes and culverts, friendly Boulder City is outside of Las Vegas and sprawling Lake Mead.
A wine and foodie town, Dundee is nestled in the fertile countryside of northwestern Oregon's pretty Willamette Valley and has a walkable downtown, a farmers' market and more.
Rogers, site of the first Walmart, is in a scenic part of the country and has tree-lined neighborhoods, a nice historic downtown and nearby lake recreation. Peaceful Newport sits near Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Crystal Coast and has a country seaside vibe with reasonable housing costs.
Rumbling Bald Resort: a Lakeside Resort in Lake Lure, North Carolina
Two golf courses, a private beach, four restaurants and a wide range of prices are Rumbling Bald Resort highlights.
Amid rolling hills and Amish farms, Canadian Lakes is known for its abundant outdoor recreation and is a favorite with retirees.
Along Mobile Bay, Daphne is a peaceful town with leafy neighborhoods, gentle breezes, a languid pace, the famous Jubilee Festival and nearby white sand beaches. Friendly Edwardsville, safe and well-maintained, is home to a university, tree-lined neighborhoods and a nice historic downtown.
Homey, laid back Swansboro sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and the White Oak River on the North Carolina mid-coast. Its clean beaches, unspoiled boating areas, cute downtown and more make it a great retirement spot!
Touristy Cocoa Beach sits on a barrier island on Florida's "Space Coast" and has six miles of beautiful, white sand beaches, a long fishing pier, surfing festivals, art festivals and more.
Known for its fun seafood festival and recreational fishing, Port Salerno sits along the St. Lucie River Inlet and straddles the scenic Manatee Pocket on the southeastern Florida coast.
Nestled in rolling hills with fertile farmland and pretty lakes around every corner, Elkhorn is wholesome, unpretentious, safe and reasonably priced.
Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, dusty, friendly Wickenburg sits on the banks of the Hassayampa River and boasts Old West character.
Evergreen is a small, upscale mountain hamlet with a lively downtown, an established theater company and homes that meld into the hills.
Along the shores of High Point Lake, quiet Jamestown was founded by Quakers in 1816 and today is known for its grand homes and historic sites.
On the outskirts of Atlanta in northern Georgia, Kennesaw is comfortable, suburban and home to Kennesaw State University.
Set amid gently rolling hills, Lincoln is a pleasant, relaxed place with two major hospitals, a large university and reasonable costs. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 2)
North Redington Beach, Florida
A low key oceanfront town, North Redington Beach is packed with condos, hotels and single family waterfront homes. The mile-long, sugar white beach is the town highlight.
Once a primary cattle shipping hub in West Central Texas, today Abilene is a quiet, friendly with an easygoing vibe.
Article:
Pros and Cons of a Waterfront Retirement
When retirement time arrives, many folks want to relocate to a waterfront location. Here we look at a few of the pros and cons of such a move.
Situated along a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs has a rich culture and boasts a charming tourist area with an eclectic collection of sponge shops, galleries and eateries.
A quiet, well-managed city, Idaho Falls sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
Once a trail stop for Mexican conquistadors, Sierra Vista is in the southeastern corner of Arizona and is surrounded by rugged mountains. It also bills itself as the "Hummingbird Capital of the World."
Once home to industrialist Henry Ford, attractive Richmond Hill sits along the Ogeechee River outside of Savannah and has leafy neighborhoods, a nice downtown and more.
On the coast, Hudson was once a fishing and shrimping community but these days is popular with bargain-seeking "snowbirds," sun-worshipping vacationers, and yes, nudists.
Ensconced in the foothills of the rugged Superstition Mountains about 45 miles to the east of downtown Phoenix, Gold Canyon is best known for its five 18-hole golf courses and beautiful views.
Tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, Auburn dates back to the California Gold Rush and is listed as a California Historic Landmark.
A waterfront town popular with tourists, Northlake has well-tended, leafy neighborhoods and a reasonable cost of living.
In the scenic Appalachian Mountains, bucolic Blacksburg is the setting for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a classic college town.
A pleasant place along the northeastern Florida coast, Palm Coast started as a planned community. Many of its homes back to a canal.
In rugged southwestern Oregon, Grants Pass is known for its outdoor way of life and down to earth residents.
Nautical Friday Harbor is the hub of the San Juan Islands Archipelago and sits in a breathtaking setting on the eastern shore of San Juan Island.
Outside of Portland, quiet Milwaukie sits along the Willamette River and boasts a small town feeling, a nice downtown, lush neighborhoods and more.
Not far from where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776, affluent New Hope has a touristy downtown, an artsy vibe and a variety of beautiful home styles.
Lively Tamarindo is a village on Costa Rica's Gold Coast and has shops, a long beach and plenty of opportunities for adventure.
Hot Springs, AROn Florida's Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is a fishing and beach resort town famous for its relaxed ambiance and powdery, white sand beaches.
Once a sleepy riverfront hamlet, today pretty Palm City is known for its golf courses, master planned communities and waterfront homes.
A peaceful, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks.
Nestled in a pretty landscape of lakes and palm trees in central Florida, peaceful Hunter's Creek is an unincorporated town and master-planned community all rolled into one.
Spread over a barrier island, beautiful Longboat Key is heavily developed, mellow and known for its stunning white-sand beaches.
Amiable and affordable, San Marcos boasts a riverfront locale, friendly folks and a diverse culture. It is a great retirement spot!
Well planned from the beginning, Peachtree City boasts lovely homes, wooded surroundings and golf cart transporation. The rich menu of amenities includes lakes, golf courses, tennis courts, nature areas and much more. It is a great retirement spot!
A quiet suburban atmosphere, wide boulevards lined with palm trees and neighborhoods interwoven with canals are Pembroke Pines' highlights.
A resort town with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock has been attracting tourists and vacationers since the late-1800s.
A cozy Appalachian Mountain resort town, Highlands is within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest and brims with charm.
Tucked amid rolling farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Mount Joy was founded by Scots-Irish immigrants and boasts a rich agricultural history.
Tucked on the northern end of northwestern Washington's Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor is a waterfront town about two hours north of Seattle. The rocky cliffs of Deception Pass and the Deception Pass Bridge are minutes away.
Bounded by the Gulf Coast and Lake Tarpon, Palm Harbor is home to the world class Innisbrook Golf Resort and has a cute downtown.
A well-to-do city outside of Atlanta, Sandy Springs sits along the Chattahoochie River and is peppered with leafy, well-manicured neighborhoods and elegant homes. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
North of downtown Miami on the southeastern Florida coast, Aventura is a posh, high-density city sandwiched between Biscayne Boulevard and the Stranaham River.
Home to the University of California at Irvine, Irivine is a sunny, pretty place, known for its rich quality of life, often landing at the top of "best places to live" lists.
Comfortable Concord boasts three historic districts and is less than an hour from sprawling Lake Norman, the "island sea" of North Carolina.
Situated along Tampa Bay on Florida's mid-Gulf Coast, Oldsmar is a quiet town with safe neighborhoods, waterfront homes and a huge flea market.
A Phoenix urban/suburban village, Ahwatukee has been called the "World's Largest Cul de Sac" and has a trendy vibe.
At the edge of the Cumberland Plateau where the mountains meet carpets of bluegrass, rural Berea is a quiet place steeped in Appalachian culture. Home to Berea College, it also attracts tourists and shoppers and is a great retirement spot!
Laid back Placencia Village sits on the southern tip of a long peninsula and is best known for its 16 miles of powder white beaches and crystal clear blue waters. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
A cozy Appalachian Mountain resort getaway, Highlands is within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest and brims with charm.
Nestled in the foothills of eastern Tennessee's lush Great Smoky Mountains, charming Loudon was once a busy Tennessee River steamship port and is named after nearby Fort Loudoun.
Fernandina Beach sits on idyllic Amelia Island, a barrier island known for its high-end resort hotels, golf courses and miles of white sand beaches.
Outside of Tucson in southern Arizona, Marana is home to master planned communities, golf courses, concerts in the park, a farmers' market and more.
Twin LakesIn the rugged, high altitude Verde Valley of central Arizona, Cottonwood has a fun historic center, plenty of outdoor recreation, nearby wineries, safe neighborhoods and lots of sunshine.
Amid rolling hills and Amish farms, Canadian Lakes is known for its abundant outdoor recreation and is a favorite with retirees.
Outside of San Francisco and the Napa Valley in northern California, Fairfield is a comfortable city and home to the famous Jelly Belly jellybean factory.
Watercolors is an attractive subsidized 55+ single family home community in La Quinta, CA.
Just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation in western Wyoming, Lander is near three designated wilderness areas, two national forests and more than 40 skyscraping mountain peaks.
Surrounded by gently rolling hills, Murray is home to Murray State University and just 20 minutes from Land Between the Lakes, a huge national recreation area.
Tucked at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado, Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University and has an educated populace, a lively atmosphere and a casual, Western way of life.
Known as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, Magnolia Springs brims with wisteria, camellias, azaleas and has its mail delivered by boat.
Along the Gulf of Mexico, pretty Bonita Springs caters to retirees and second home owners and boasts palm-lined lanes, canals, lakes and plenty of golf courses.
Green Valley is outside of Tucson in southern Arizona and boasts a mature demographic, reasonable living costs and a bounty of recreational opportunities. Is it a great place to retire? (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
In a beautiful setting, artsy Bend is a cosmopolitan hamlet with a fun downtown, a rich cultural menu and a bounty of outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot!
Pilot Butte Village: a Wooded 55+ Community in Bend, Oregon
Pilot Butte Village is a cozy, gated 55+ community nestled amid tall pine trees in east central Bend, Oregon. It sits on seven acres and has 40 duplexes and fourplexes for lease. When William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition first saw the Cannon Beach area, he wrote that it was "the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean." Artsy, cozy and snuggled in a scenic valley, Ashland is home to the nationally known Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University. Residents enjoy a stimulating atmosphere, a bevy of theater events, top notch eateries, outstanding outdoor recreation and more, all of which make Ashland a great retirement spot! In central Texas, Temple is home to a regional medical center and has an award-winning library, an orchestra, affordable housing and more.
A pretty town, Cape Coral boasts 400 miles of canals and a soothing ambiance. Bays and sounds are all around, and opportunities for boating and fishing abound.
A mellow, upscale seaside city in a gorgeous setting, Santa Barbara is known as the "American Riviera" and still has much of the old California magic. About 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, comfortable Trinity is comprised of named neighborhoods, gated communities and streets that wind around lakes. Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
On the edge of the Blackland Prairies outside of Austin, Pflugerville was settled by a German immigrant and today is a comfortable, wholesome bedroom community.
Touristy Cocoa Beach sits on a barrier island on Florida's "Space Coast" and has six miles of beautiful, white sand beaches, a long fishing pier, surfing festivals, art festivals and more.
A peaceful, casual place with mountains on its east side and seven miles of often empty beach on its west side, Rockaway Beach is a world unto itself.
In Depth Review: Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is a lively city known for its academic stimulation, rich history, excellent hospitals and leafy landscape.
Town Snapshot: Friendly and unpretentious, Wichita Falls sits under a giant sky next to the Wichita River and is home to Sheppard Air Force Base, a small college and a beautiful arts center.
Balmy and bohemian, little Cudjoe Key is part of a group of islands at the southern end of the Florida Keys.
This nice town is outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and has safe, wooded neighborhoods, miles of trails, a strawberry festival and more. Outside of Houston, leafy Spring is a low key town with country/suburban vibe and a charming Old Town. Idyllic, sun-soaked Islamorada is spread across five islands in the Florida Keys and is a place where t-shirts and flip flops are standard attire. Five of the Best, Quiet Florida Beaches Living near or having easy access to the beach is one of the top reasons that people want to retire in Florida but not all beaches are created equal. See five of the best quiet ones.
Youngsville got its start as a French Acadian farming settlement in the early-1800s and retains a country quality even today.
In scenic Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Strasburg was settled by Huguenots and Mennonites and today is known as "Train Town, USA."
Founded by Italian Waldensian immigrants, Valdese has a scenic setting and is proud of its unique Old World heritage.
An attractive bedroom community outside of Phoenix, Goodyear is often noted for its "livability" and year-round outdoor recreation.
On the southern end of a peninsula of the same name, Merritt Island is near 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the stunning Canaveral National Seashore.
Sneads Ferry sits along the New River on the southern North Carolina coast and is home to fishermen, military personnel and a popular shrimp festival.
In rolling western North Carolina, the little town of Rutherfordton has a lovely setting, a rich history, an inviting downtown and a quiet way of life. Neighborhoods are low density. Outdoor recreation is around the corner. Prices are reasonable. All of which make Rutherfordton a great retirement spot!
An established beach resort, Nags Head boasts colorful eateries, art galleries, stilt homes and is popular with tourists. Chetola Resort: a Wooded Resort Outside of Blowing Rock, North Carolina
This leafy lakeside resort has an inn, a lodge and condominium accommodations, some of which are for sale. Tiny Duck is one of the newest additions to North Carolina's Outer Banks and has an affluent seaside ambiance. Currituck Sound is to the west and the open ocean is to the east.
Sanderling: an Oceanfront Community in Duck, North Carolina
Sanderling stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Currituck Sound. Most of the 191 single family homes here face the water, but a few sit in between.
Park Place: a Reasonably Priced 55+ Community in Pembroke Pines, Florida Surrounded by a golf course, 55+ Park Place has low maintenance homes and a bounty of activities and social groups. Many homes have fairway and pond views. An attractive bedroom community outside of Phoenix, Goodyear is often noted for its "livability" and year-round outdoor recreation.
On the northern shores of the stunning Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington, Port Angeles is a gateway to Olympic National Park.
Peaceful Stuart sits on southeastern Florida's famed Treasure Coast and is known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World."
Thayne, once called "Little Switzerland," is on the northern edge of Wyoming's Star Valley, a scenic area within 100 miles of Yellowstone National Park.
Outside of Dallas, McKinney is a growing, leafy town with a lovely, historic town core, nearby lake recreation and replica European fishing village. Peaceful Bella Vista is nestled in northwestern Arkansas' lush Ozark Mountain foothills and appeals to people seeking beautiful mountain scenery, abundant lake recreation, tons of amenities and reasonably priced housing. Nestled along inlets, islets and the Little Manatee River, Ruskin has a "country" way of life and is a quiet, mellow town.
On the southern end of a peninsula of the same name, Merritt Island is near 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the stunning Canaveral National Seashore.
On Florida's southwestern coast, mellow Matlacha (Mat-la-shay) sits on and completely covers a little island that is situated between Pine Island, which is Florida's largest island, and the mainland where Fort Myers is located. Quaint and cute, it is an old fishing village.
Latest Town Snapshots:
Kapaa is a charming beach town on the eastern shore of Kauai and was for much of its history an agricultural hub.
Beautiful Old Saybrook oozes weathered New England character and dates from the early-1600s. For many years, it was Katherine Hepburn's home.
Once a sleepy fishing village and citrus farming community, Venice is nestled along the southwestern Florida coast. It has an excellent hospital, clean beaches, a strong arts culture and an unassuming vibe. Is it a great place to retire?
Indian Harbour Beach sits on a barrier island and is known for its stretch of white powdery sand mixed with coarse red seashell sand.
College Station, deep in the beautiful Brazos Valley in the heart of Texas, is home to sprawling Texas A&M University and is a classic college town. Charming Pinehurst was originally designed to resemble a New England village and today is a golf destination with a cute downtown. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina Kill Devil Hills, a place where pirates once drank rum so vile it could kill the Devil himself, is today one of the Outer Banks' most visited vacation destinations. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
Reminiscent of Old Florida and slightly overgrown, friendly Brooksville boasts a cute downtown, canopy lanes and a nearby state forest perfect for biking, fishing and picnicing. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
Rural Whidbey Island is home to Coupeville, a weathered waterfront village that began in 1852 and in many ways feels as though it never left the mid-19th century. Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
Once home to industrialist Henry Ford, attractive Richmond Hill sits along the Ogeechee River outside of Savannah and has leafy neighborhoods, a nice downtown and more.
On the coast, Hudson was once a fishing and shrimping community but these days is popular with bargain-seeking "snowbirds," sun-worshipping vacationers, and yes, nudists.
On the edge of the temperate Blackland Prairies in central Texas, Pflugerville was settled by a German immigrant and today is a comfortable, wholesome bedroom community.
Monument sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, boasting beautiful homes and sweeping mountain and plains views.
Home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford boasts a literary vibe, intellectual stimulation, a historic downtown and an intense football culture.
Charlotte is in southwestern North Carolina and boasts nearly 200 neighborhoods, a symphony, an opera company, a dance company, two professional theater companies and more.
At the base of Pike's Peak, pretty Colorado Springs boasts blue skies, an eclectic population, an excellent hospital, an award-winning senior center and plenty of ways to stay busy. It is a great retirement spot! Town Snapshot: Tucked on the northern end of northwestern Washington's scenic Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor boasts pretty views, a nice downtown, an often empty beach and more.
Town Snapshot: Southern Pines, North Carolina Soothing Southern Pines started out as a resort and today boasts a rich golfing tradition, a strong equestrian heritage, a cute downtown and wooded neighborhoods.
Bandon is a cute town on the rugged southern Oregon coast and is a place where water views invigorate the soul.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Culperer is a cute little place with a historic, well-kept downtown, some wineries and leafy neighborhoods.
Captain Cook is a peaceful spot next to Kealakekua Bay, a calm, shallow body of water with a large coral reef and diverse underwater life. A friendly, pretty place, Fairhope boasts a waterfront locale, safe neighborhoods and a gentle spirit. It is a great retirement spot! Incorporated in 1752, Smithfield is a quaint town known for its beautiful 18th-century Colonial, Federal, Georgian and Victorian architecture. Near the southeastern Florida coast and named after its many coconut palms, Coconut Creek has an abundance of parks, gardens, canals and lushly landscaped avenues, not to mention the world's largest butterfly aviary.
A quirky old copper mining town and National Historic District, Jerome is a tourist destination and home to an eclectic mix of people, including artists, writers, craftsmen, ghost tour guides and even a few hermits.
An amiable town with a casual Old West flavor and some beautiful homes, Golden is tucked between two table mountains and a canyon just west of Denver.
An engaging atmosphere, Southern hospitality, good senior services and a reasonable cost of living are Clemson highlights.
Madison, a pretty city on the banks of Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, has shaded neighborhoods and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Outside of San Francisco and the Napa Valley in northern California, Fairfield is a comfortable city and home to the famous Jelly Belly jellybean factory.
A peaceful, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks.
Known as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, Magnolia Springs brims with wisteria, camellias, azaleas and has its mail delivered by boat.
Tucked between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, sleepy Waynesville appeals to people who love the outdoors.
A quiet place along the North Bay and Grand Lagoon on Florida's central Panhandle, Pretty Bayou is rural, unincorporated and has waterfront homes. White sand beaches are eight miles away.
April 20, 2020
Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views.
Surrounded by the sprawling Tonto National Forest at 5,000 feet above sea level in central Arizona, Payson is a jumping off point for outdoor adventure.
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis sits in a pretty valley surrounded by forests and hills and boasts a vibrant atmosphere with a "granola" vibe.
This affluent barrier island town is 15 miles east of Charleston on the mid-South Carolina coast and is known for its clean beaches, colorful, open-air eateries and beautiful homes.
In South Carolina's Upcountry, Greenville boasts leafy neighborhoods, excellent restaurants, a lively cultural scene, an inviting, slightly European-feeling town core, reasonable prices and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Settled in the 1850s by a German immigrant, Pflugerville is a comfortable, wholesome bedroom community and lands on "best places to live" lists.
Next to the Indian River Lagoon on Florida's Space Coast, Palm Shores is a quiet, residential place where many people know one another.
McClellanville, South Carolina
Home to artists and writers, McClellanville is nestled against tidal creeks and saltwater marshes and is a beautiful, secluded place.
Attractive Athens sits in the Hocking River Valley in pretty southeastern Ohio and is surrounded by rolling hills. While coal companies were once the major employers here, now Ohio University (22,000 students) is the lifeblood of the city and has a lovely campus.
Short Review:
Colonial Beach is a safe but slightly faded waterfront town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront.
Monroe Point, Colonial Beach, Virginia
Monroe Point is a waterfront town home community with pretty views of Monroe Bay. Residents enjoy a marina and direct water access.
Town Snapshots:
Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views.
Hacienda Village, Winter Springs, Florida
This very casual, leafy 55+ co-op community is laid out along a meandering creek and has a recreation center, two swimming pools, RV storage, planned events and more.
Once a busy ferry stop on the Colorado River, today Yuma is a tourist and "snowbird" destination that comes alive during the winter months.
This friendly coastal town is in on the Panhandle and just across the Sound from Santa Rosa Island and its sparkling white sand beaches.
Swaddled by mountain peaks and national forest in spectacular northwestern Colorado, Breckenridge is cute, trendy and touristy.
At the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains, Missoula boasts beautiful scenery, a lively cultural scene, good hospitals and abundant outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 3)
Tucked into beautiful rolling hills, rural but lively Morgantown is home to West Virginia University and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
In a region known as Happy Valley, stimulating Amherst is home to three colleges/universities and has a rich cultural ambiance.
Steeped in history, pretty Gloucester is along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and brims with stately homes.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Once a pirates' lair, today Murrells Inlet is a little fishing village known as the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina." Although it is not far from lively Myrtle Beach, it is still a quiet place and a great retirement spot!
Tucked on the northern end of northwestern Washington's wild Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor boasts pretty views, a nice downtown, an often empty beach and more.
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Southern Pines started out as a resort but today boasts a rich golfing tradition, a strong equestrian heritage, a cute downtown and wooded neighborhoods.
Prosperous, "beachy" Sanibel sits on the barrier island of the same name and is renowned for its 15 miles of beautiful white crushed seashell beaches and wildlife refuges.
Picturesque Coeur d'Alene sits along Lake Coeur d'Alene in rugged northern Idaho and has a trendy vibe, outstanding outdoor recreation, a symphony, a ballet, gorgeous scenery and more.
Surrounded by the sprawling Tonto National Forest at 5,000 feet above sea level in central Arizona, Payson plays up its Western heritage and is a jumping off point for outdoor adventure.
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis sits in a pretty valley surrounded by forests and hills and boasts a vibrant atmosphere with a "granola" vibe.
Historic New Bern is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region where the Neuse River and Trent River converge. Often overlooked by tourists as they hurry on their way to the Outer Banks, it has a charming downtown, beautiful homes and reasonable prices. It is a great retirement spot!
Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills of scenic western North Carolina, Columbus is nice little town in a growing wine and equestrian region.
Lewisville is a friendly city along the shores of 29,000-acre Lewisville Lake outside of Dallas and has an active Old Town, a large marina, numerous shopping centers and much more.
Easygoing and affordable, Murfreesboro has been growing and exudes country charm. It is a great retirement spot!
Carolina Shores, North Carolina
This Brunswick County town split from its nearest neighbor, Calabash, after battles over city services and ordinances. Despite its name, it sits about 5 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and does not have a shore or beach. It was incorporated in 1998.
Colonial Beach is a safe but slightly faded waterfront town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront.
Monroe Point, Colonial Beach, Virginia
Monroe Point is a waterfront town home community with pretty views of Monroe Bay. Residents enjoy a marina and direct water access.
Town Snapshot:
With the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, Martinsville boasts a NASCAR racetrack, art galleries and studios, fun eateries, music events, nearby water recreation and very affordable housing.
Northfield is a quintessential college town with a cute town center and a bounty of fairs and festivals.
In the middle of the Outer Banks, Wanchese, a rustic unincorporated town, occupies the southern edge of Roanoke Island. It was named after the last known indigenous ruler of the island and does not have the typical Outer Banks crowds or high costs.
This friendly, touristy mountain metropolis is nestled in beautiful scenery and boasts abundant outdoor recreation, a lively cultural scene, Old West character and more. Is it a great place to retire? Outside of Boise in southwestern Idaho, Kuna is reasonably priced, safe, spacious and not far from outstanding outdoor recreation.
Kure Beach is on the southern end of Pleasure Island and is a relaxed place, home to a nice boardwalk and miles of clean white beaches.
Steeped in history, pretty Gloucester is along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and brims with stately homes.
Spread across the Point Brown Peninsula on Washington's scenic mid-coast, salty Ocean Shores was once a Hollywood jetsetter hangout and today is a weekend tourist destination.
Outside of Las Vegas and not too far from the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Henderson has a newish feeling about it and brims with master planned communities, shopping, golf courses and eateries. Is it a great place to retire?
Short Review: On Florida's southwestern coast, beautiful Naples is known for its "beachy" resort ambiance, high-end shopping venues, golf courses and sugar white beaches.
Wooded and well manicured, Matthews has a cute, old fashioned downtown, a farmers' market and fun festivals.
Named after the deer that once gazed here, Deerfield Beach sits on the southeastern Florida coast and boasts an award-winning, often uncrowded white sand beach and reasonable costs.
Hugging the rugged outcroppings of the Blue Hill peninsula on Maine's central coast, this charming, weathered waterfront town has a history that reaches back to 1762.
Outside of Louisville, Prospect boasts leisurely country lanes, elegant homes and horse pastures lined with white fences.
Outside of Nashville, amiable Murfreesboro exudes a quiet country charm. It is also a shopping hub, full of friendly folks and home to Middle Tennessee State University. It is, in fact, a great retirement spot!
Sneads Ferry, relaxed but growing, sits along the New River on the southern North Carolina coast. It is home to military families and fishermen, and it started out as a ferry crossing dock in the early 1700s. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is just across the river.
Banner Elk got its name from the man who founded the town, Martin Banner, in 1848. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina and today is a popular tourist destination and home of Lees-McRae College (1,000 students), a private, four year college associated with the Presbyterian Church.
On a high grassy plain in north central Colorado, Louisville is an casual, affluent city that boasts sweeping views of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Sleepy Sebastian sits along the Indian River Lagoon on southeastern Florida's Treasure Coast, an area so named because Spanish ships lost their treasure along the coast during the early 18th-century.
On the eastern Florida Panhandle, the marshy Big Bend Coast generally borders Apalachee Bay. In this very rural area, the little "Old Florida" fishing village of Steinhatchee makes its home. It sits at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, which feeds into the Gulf, and is known for its scallops.
Steinhatchee Landing Resort: Charming Cottages in Steinhatchee, Florida
Secluded under tall trees and nestled along the Steinhatchee River, Steinhatchee Landing Resort is an old fashioned, family-style resort. Romantic and tranquil, it sits on 35 acres and feels a world unto itself.
Unincorporated Ruskin is located in a rural part of southwestern Florida, along Tampa Bay and the Little Manatee River. It is about half way between Tampa and Bradenton and was an agricultural center for most of its 105 years.
Deerfield Beach is situated along the congested southeastern Florida coast, about 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, and started out as an agricultural community. It was named Deerfield for the deer grazing in the fields and remained a farming hub until the 1940s when it changed its name to Deerfield Beach.
Reminiscent of Old Florida, Brooksville boasts a cute downtown, canopy lanes and a nearby state forest perfect for biking, fishing and picnicing.
Surrounded by mountains and once just a dusty cow town, Bozeman is home to Montana State University and is a gateway to stunning Yellowstone National Park.
This balmy, upscale town sits on a barrier island at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands and boasts sparkling white beaches and gorgeous blue-green waters.
Just an hour from the coast, Salem is a quiet, mid-sized city in the lush Willamette Valley in northwestern Oregon and is surrounded by natural beauty.
Coconut Creek is an inland city about 15 miles north west of Fort Lauderdale in southwestern Florida. It is award-winning for its environmentalism and eco-conscious outlook and is home to the world's largest butterfly aviary, with more than 5,000 individual butterflies.
Peaceful Newport sits along the Newport River in a rural area about two miles inland from Bogue Sound on North Carolina's mid-coast. It has grown by 325% in the last decade and is primarily residential.
Nestled along tranquil Lake Weiss, Centre is quiet, affordable and down to earth. Is it a great retirement spot?
Town Snapshots:
An established, touristy beach resort, Nags Head boasts colorful eateries, art galleries and stilt homes.
Set amid gently rolling hills, yellow buttes and waving prairie grass in scenic northwestern Wyoming, Powell is the authentic American West.
Reasonably priced, quiet and safe, Pooler is not far from posh Hilton Head Island, sunny Florida beaches and bustling Atlanta.
Amiable and reasonably priced, San Marcos boasts a riverfront locale, friendly folks, a collegiate vibe and a diverse culture. It is a great retirement spot! Picturesque Gig Harbor is on northwestern Washington's beautiful Puget Sound and is clean, green and quiet.
Town Snapshot: Sleepy Pell City sits next to 7,000-acre Logan Martin Lake in northeastern Alabama, boasting water recreation and reasonable living costs.
Known for its abundant flowers, peaceful Summerville charms with its leisurely pace and elegant homes. It is a great retirement spot!
The resort town of Lake Lure is located in western North Carolina's beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and is nestled around 718-acre Lake Lure, a popular water recreation area. With a mature demographic, this rural oasis has been a favorite retirement spot for years. Rumbling Bald: Mountain Homes in Lake Lure, North Carolina
On the north shore of sparkling Lake Lure in western North Carolina, Rumbling Bald is a year-round resort. It spreads across 3,000 acres of forested land and sits in the shadow of Rumbling Bald Mountain.
Next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the scenic rolling hills of eastern Tennessee, lively Gatlinburg is a tourist magnet with a never-ending list of fun things to do.
Tucked into a corner of the Superstition Mountains outside of Phoenix, sun-soaked Apache Junction is a gateway to the massive Tonto National Forest, within easy reach of Lost Dutchman State Park and a "snowbird" magnet.
Along Galveston Bay on Texas' Gulf Coast, Seabrook is a bird sanctuary with a suburban quality and a large boating community.
This mountain metropolis is nestled in beautiful scenery and boasts Old West character. Is it a great place to retire? This quiet barrier island community is located on the northeastern Florida coast, about an hour from Orlando. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Halifax River on the west, the city of Ormond Beach to the south, and the Volusia County border to the north.
This affluent barrier island community
is just 15 miles east of Charleston on the
mid-South Carolina coast. It may be best known for its clean beaches,
weathered boardwalks and colorful eateries. In southern
Arizona, suburban Ahwatukee is technically a Phoenix urban
village and hemmed in by Interstate 10, the Gila River Indian
Community and several cities. Thanks to
these geographic barriers, it has a distinct
personality and has been called the
"World's Largest Cul de
Sac."
Incorporated in 1752, charming Smithfield is in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. It is on the Pagan River and is known for its beautiful 18th-century Colonial, Federal, Georgian and Victorian architecture.
Church Square: a Cozy 55+ Community in Smithfield, Virginia
Smithfield is on the southeastern coast and is home to Church Square, a 55+ attached home community with just 118 duplexes, quad groupings and town houses. Construction started by Atlantic Homes in 2007 and continues today.
Steeped in history, charming Leesburg makes its home in a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, horse farms and low slung stone walls.
A little village at 8,553 feet above sea level, Angel Fire sits in a beautiful valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a peaceful, outdoor-oriented place.
In the Ozark Mountains of southeastern Missouri, touristy Branson is a hugely popular entertainment hub with museums, outdoor shows, gospel groups, music acts, light shows, shopping venues, eateries and more.
Not far from the Canadian border, Bellingham sits on a beautiful bay in the shadow of Mt. Baker and is home to outdoor oriented people. Bordered by Lake Monroe, the St. John's River and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, DeBary is dotted with thousands of live oaks, cypress trees and southern magnolias. On Oregon's stunning southern coast, Brookings is surrounded by pristine mountains and thick forests. It has quiet beaches, an attractive downtown, a farmers' market, art galleries and the ever popular Winter Art and Chocolate Festival. Is it also a great place to retire? Sleepy Safety Harbor is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its quaint downtown, safe neighborhoods, pretty waterfront setting and friendly neighbors. It is a great retirement spot! Tucked into beautiful rolling hills, secluded but lively Morgantown is home to West Virginia University and often lands on "best places to live" lists. Bordered by Everglades National Park, Coral Springs started out as a master planned development and today is known for its well managed government and rich quality of life. Heron Bay: a Master Planned Community in Coral Springs, Florida
Laced with canals and dotted with manicured grounds, Heron Bay has single family homes, condos, town homes and a TPC golf course. On Aransas Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast, Rockport is a funky, low key tourist destination known for its clean beaches and outstanding fishing waters. Is it a great place to retire?
Along the San Gabriel River in lush central Texas, friendly Georgetown boasts a beautifully restored downtown, a colorful flower festival, safe neighborhoods and a casual way of life.
A working fishing village, Cortez has an Old Florida feeling and a mellow, Margaritaville attitude.
Tiny Edisto Beach is at the mouth of the Edisto River on the southern South Carolina coast and is a quiet seaside community with four miles of pristine beach.
A cosmopolitan resort community on a barrier island east of North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach beckons with a gorgeous beach, sparkling waters, gleaming buildings and tropical vegetation.
Nestled along beautiful Maalaea Bay on Maui's dry southwestern coast, Kihei is a mellow resort city with a rugged tan sand beach and mountains in the distance.
In the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Banner Elk is a vacation destination with a cute downtown.
Outside of Dayton, Yellow Springs is a charming, offbeat village with colorful shops, art galleries, eateries, studio tours and more.
A quaint harbor town on the Neuse River, Oriental is the self-proclaimed "Sailing Capital of North Carolina," and its picturesque marina is stocked with tall masted sloops, schooners and powerboats.
East of the Snowy Mountains in southwestern Wyoming, Laramie sits under a looming sky on a grassy, windswept plain and is home to the University of Wyoming.
About half way between Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah, Spring Creek is a friendly, comfortable town in a scenic valley.
On the Florida Panhandle's Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach is famous for its 27 miles of mezmurizing white powdery beaches and sparkling green waters.
Originally the gateway between the U.S. and the Texas frontier, Nacogdoches is in leafy East Texas and is the state's oldest town.
Home to the University of North Carolina, lively, progressive Chapel Hill is known for its funky academic vibe, leafy neighhorhoods, rich foodie culture, excellent medical facilities and more. It is a great retirement spot! Amid bluebonnet fields and carpets of colorful Indian paintbrush in lush central Texas, sleepy Wimberley beckons with its gentle charm, artsy sensibility and easy pace. It is a great retirement spot! With sugar white sand and turquoise waters, idyllic Mexico Beach sits along the Florida panhandle and is known as "Mayberry on the Water."
Artsy, dusty and understated, Tubac boasts art galleries, good restaurants, cobbled streets, interesting home styles and an unhurried pace. It is a great retirement spot!
Altamonte Springs is outside of Orlando and boasts reasonably priced living, with the white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach just an hour away.
March 2, 2020 Town Snapshots: In the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains and surrounded by open space, Longmont is home to the county fair and known for its pretty views and bicycle friendliness.
Along Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Inner Banks, Cape Carteret is a sleepy hamlet with an easygoing way of life.
March 1, 2020 Town Snapshots: Tucked amid rolling farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Mount Joy was founded by Scots-Irish immigrants and boasts a rich agricultural history.
On the Great Plains of southeastern South Dakota, Sioux Falls is well-managed, clean and safe with a nice downtown and plenty of amenities.
Outside of bustling Atlanta and along the shores of beautiful Lake Lanier in northern Georgia, up and coming Cumming is leafy, suburban and growing.
In pretty north central Florida, Eustis is a charming lakeside town with a lovely downtown, red brick sidewalks and plenty of places to watch the sunset over the water.
Town Snapshots: Outside of Atlanta in northern Georgia, Kennesaw is comfortable, suburban and home to Kennesaw State University.
Once a trail stop for Mexican conquistadors, Sierra Vista is in the southeastern corner of Arizona and is surrounded by rugged mountains. It is also the Hummingbird Capital of the World. A little more than a mile long, laid back Beverly Beach sits on a barrier island between the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean and has a beautiful strip of sand.
Nearby big city amenities, a reasonable cost of living, a cute "old town" and fun festivals draw people to Slidell. Is it a great place to retire? Buffalo, often called "Mayberry of the West," is at the foot of the rugged Big Horn Mountains in north central Wyoming and is a quaint, authentic Western town. Is it a great place to retire? Town Snapshot: Altamonte Springs is outside of Orlando and boasts reasonably priced living, with the white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach just an hour away.
Town Snapshot: Along Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Inner Banks, Cape Carteret is a sleepy hamlet with an easygoing way of life.
Signal Mountain sits on a ridge at the end of the Cumberland Plateau overlooking the Tennessee River and has a suburban, country vibe.
Originally started as a religious colony, today Estero is a mellow place with abundant wildlife, plenty of recreational opportunities and pretty beaches close at hand. Sleepy Fallbrook is nestled in rolling hills and orchards and is known for its avocados. In fact, it is known as the "Avocado Capital of the World."
Straddling the Myakka River and adjacent to the Myakka State Forest in southwestern Florida, North Port is leafy, residential and reasonably priced.
With a history dating back to Spanish missionaries, a stunning setting and a rich artistic tradition, beautiful Carmel is hard to resist.
A quiet country community with deep agricultural roots, Alachua boasts a cute downtown lined with Bradford pear trees.
Originally a Spanish fishing village, today Key West's tropical vibe, famous Duval Street and unique architecture draw tourists from around the world.
Quiet, comfortable and leafy, Watkinsville is close to the University of Georgia, has a nice downtown and is reaonably priced.
Callawassie Island, South Carolina Callawassie Island is a beautiful barrier island off of the southern South Carolina coast and is surrounded by tidal creeks and salt marshes. Tucked between the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon on the southeastern Florida coast, Port St. Lucie is a mellow city with safe neighborhoods, a fun botanic garden, a world class resort, plenty of golf opportunities and an abundance of water recreation. Is it a great place to retire? Unassuming Jensen Beach, once the "Pineapple Capital of the World," is today known for its peaceful way of life, sea turtles and excellent fishing. In the central highlands of Lanai, Lanai City is a charming old plantation town with many of its 1920s building still standing.
Leafy Lawrence is a quintessential college town and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
Nestled in heart-stopping scenery at the southern end of beautiful Puget Sound, laid back Olympia is Washington's capital city and about an hour south of Seattle.
Tucked between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, sleepy Waynesville appeals to people who love the outdoors.
A quiet place along the North Bay and Grand Lagoon on Florida's central Panhandle, Pretty Bayou is rural, unincorporated and has waterfront homes. White sand beaches are eight miles away.
Unhurried and glistening, Melbourne Beach sits on a barrier island and is known for its beautiful stretches of white sand beaches.
Sometimes called the Sixth Borough, stylish Boca Raton is known for its shopping venues, gated neighborhoods, pastel-colored buildings and verdant parks.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western Virginia, attractive Abingdon dates from the mid-1700s and has an active arts scene.
Bluffton sits on a bluff overlooking the May River and was built by wealthy plantation owners seeking a place to escape the summer heat.
Bordered by water on three sides, the friendly, quaint little town of Pass Christian was the site of the South's first yacht club and is known for its oyster reefs.
Outside of Phoenix in southcentral Arizona, Queen Creek is dotted with planned communities and has a newish, manufactured ambiance.
Situated on the Palouse, a stunning agricultural region in southeastern Washington, Pullman is home to Washington State University.
Bustling and diverse, Houston sits near the Gulf of Mexico in southeastern Texas and boasts reasonable living costs, eclectic neighborhoods, amenities galore, fun eateries, outstanding medical facilities and more. Is it a great place to retire? In the lush Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Ellijay is a growing country town known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia." (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
A laid back coastal city, Corpus Christi has an eclectic population, a pretty skyline, a nice bayfront, plenty of nice beaches and more. (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 0)
Not far from the largest research park in the country, Holly Springs is a comfortable, growing town with an educated population.
The charming village of Salado started out as a college town but today is a hip artists' colony and thrives as a weekend getaway for people from Waco, Temple and Austin.
Laguna Beach is a low key community on Florida's Panhandle and boasts a long, wide stretch of sugar white sand tucked against emerald waters. A comfortable city outside of Dallas-Fort Worth, Grapevine gets its name from the wild grapes that once carpeted the land.
Tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, Auburn dates back to the California Gold Rush and is listed as a California Historic Landmark.
A peaceful, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks.
The leafy, comfortable town of Mt. Juliet is just outside of Nashville in north central Tennessee and is well managed and well kept.
Touristy, laid back St. Pete Beach is known for its beautiful beaches, unspoiled sand dunes and resort hotels. On the southern edge of the Black Hills National Forest, the pretty, unassuming hamlet of Hot Springs is known for its healing mineral waters.
A quaint fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay, Rock Hall dates from 1701 and has more than a dozen marinas with boats of all shapes and sizes.
Beautiful, upscale Sonoma is in the heart of California's wine country and is tucked in a landscape of rolling farmland and fertile vineyards.
Nestled amid lakes and named after an early citrus titan, Doctor Phillips is a comfortable town with a good reputation.
A cosmopolitan resort community on a barrier island east of North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach beckons with a gorgeous beach, blue green waters, sparkling buildings and tropical vegetation.
At the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains, Missoula boasts beautiful scenery, a lively cultural scene, good hospitals and abundant outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! (Number of Covid-19 Cases: 3)
Tucked into beautiful rolling hills, secluded but lively Morgantown is home to West Virginia University and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
Welcoming Dawsonville is outside of Atlanta, not far from the North Georgia mountains, and is the site of the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival. Outside of Orlando in northeastern Florida, Longwood is quiet, leafy and suburban. Outside of Dayton, Yellow Springs is a charming, offbeat village with colorful shops, art galleries, eateries, studio tours and more.
Conroe sits along the shores of Lake Conroe outside of Houston and has wooded neighborhoods, a nice downtown and a country feeling. Tucked along the Colorado River in rugged western Colorado, Palisade is surrounded by peach orchards, truck farms and a growing number of vineyards.
Nestled along the Rocky Mountain foothills in pretty northern Colorado, Loveland is the "Sweetheart City" and boasts safe neighborhoods, good medical facilities, blue skies and plenty of outdoor recreation. Is it a great place to retire?
A classic beach town, Miramar is known for its mesmerizing turquoise waters and miles of sugar white sand. A popular resort town, Lake Lure is in western North Carolina's scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and nestled around sparkling Lake Lure.
Old fashioned Floral City is a quiet, country place at the edge of the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes and has a nice reputation.
Posh and prosperous, San Luis Obispo is not far from the coast and known for its beautiful climate, charming town center and lack of fast food drive-thru restaurants.
Bordered by Lake Monroe, the St. John's River and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, DeBary is dotted with thousands of live oaks, cypress trees and southern magnolias.
Billings, once an actual Wild West town, sits in a rimrock canyon carved by the Yellowstone River and boasts leafy neighborhoods.
This lively Gulf Coast resort town is on a long barrier island and famous for its miles of beaches, abundant water activities and party atmosphere.
Tucked on a barrier island and known for its white/gray sand beach, Juno Beach is tranquil, casual and well-to-do. The little town of Dillard is buried in northern Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and is popular with tourists and "weekenders" from Atlanta.
Homey, laid back Swansboro sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and the White Oak River on the North Carolina mid-coast. Its clean beaches, unspoiled boating areas, cute downtown and more make it a great retirement spot!
At the western edge of the Okeechobee Waterway, Alva has a landscape of grazing cattle, citrus groves and large oak trees with hanging moss, evoking Old Florida.
Cascades at River Hall: a Peaceful 55+ Community in Alva, Florida Single family homes are for sale in this quiet, gated 55+ neighborhood, and many of them have water views.
This cute, tranquil Coos County town is tucked along the rugged southern Oregon coast. It is burrowed near the south side of the Coquille River's mouth, a place where water views invigorate the soul. A quiet coastal town, Satellite Beach has eight miles of sugar white sand, waterfront parks and a wildlife habitat only accessible by boat.
Jim Thorpe is a beautiful, touristy town known as the "Switzerland of America" and is nestled along the Lehigh River in rolling eastern Pennsylvania.
Once home to pirates and bounty hunters, well-to-do Folly Beach is on Folly Island just southeast of Charleston and is known to locals as the "Edge of America."
Oak Island is a classic, unhurried beach town that stretches along a barrier island on the southern North Carolina shore.
Adjacent to Mississippi State University, reasonably priced Starkville has fun festivals, a New Urbanism neighborhood and a definite college vibe.
Irmo is a nice little town in the heart of South Carolina's Midlands and is a gateway to nearby Lake Murray.
Safe and suburban, Virginia Beach sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay and has miles of beaches, drawing thousands of sand, sun and surf lovers every year.
Lovely Swarthmore, home to small, prestigious Swarthmore College, has a cute downtown and a low key collegiate vibe.
A pleasant place along the northeastern Florida coast, Palm Coast started as a planned community. Many of its homes back to a canal.
Laid back and quiet, Indialantic sits on a barrier island on Florida's Space Coast and has a long stretch of beach with a fun boardwalk. Nestled on the shores of pretty Lake Chatuge in northern Georgia, Hiawassee is a scenic place surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and two national forests.
Popular with artists, writers and history buffs, beautiful, understated Santa Fe is is known for its unique architecture, rich heritage, top notch restaurants, eclectic galleries, fun boutiques, renowned opera and hint of mysticism. It is a great retirement spot! With an invigorating setting on southern Oregon's rugged southern coast, Gold Beach is popular with fishermen, outdoor lovers and retirees. Compact, coastal Belleair Bluffs rests on one of Florida's highest coastline elevations and is a gateway to beautiful Gulf Coast beaches.
A remote town at nearly 6,000 feet above sea level in eastern Arizona, Snowflake was named after two men, Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake.
With its rich history, charming riverfront setting, easygoing way of life and reasonably priced housing, St. Marys beckons. It is a great retirement spot! A waterfront town popular with tourists, Northlake has well-tended, leafy neighborhoods and a reasonable cost of living.
About an hour northeast of San Francisco and 20 miles from the Napa Valley in northern California, Fairfield is a comfortable city and home to the famous Jelly Belly jellybean factory.
Azalea Gardens: a Quiet Neighborhood Popular with Retirees in Oxford, Mississippi
Azalea Gardens is a suburban Oxford neighborhood with tidy red brick single family homes and well tended lawns. It started out as part of Brookdale, a company that builds 55+ communities, but is no longer associated with that entity. Properties do not come up for sale often, but when they do, prices start in the high-$100,000s.
This pretty city of lakes started out as a citrus farming center and today is a semi-rural bedroom community known for its high quality of life. Nestled in scenic western North Carolina, Fletcher sits in hilly terrain and has a suburban, country vibe.
Highland Beach is a balmy, affluent coastal community along State Road A1A in southeastern Florida and is framed by lush vegetation, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.
Home to the University of Oklahoma, Norman is a comfortable, leafy Midwestern city and has landed on numerous "best places to live" lists. Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii Sprawling, rural Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is bordered by water, a forest preserve and boasts simply amazing ocean views. It also has reasonably priced homes.
Along the Florida Panhandle coast, Port St. Joe is a quiet, rural deep water port with two traffic lights and waterfront restaurants.
Weathered and romantic, Gearhart is on the northern Oregon coast and has a long pristine beach with breathtaking ocean vistas.
Oro Valley is a bedroom community in a pretty setting north of Tucson in southern Arizona and is home to a number of high tech and biotech companies.
Idyllic Holden Beach is tucked on an island on the southern North Carolina coast and is known for its oceanfront beaches and a dramatic bridge that rises over the Intracoastal Waterway.
Kitty Hawk, a casual Outer Banks town, has a traditional, touristy village, a newer waterfront section and a long beach.
Nestled in northwestern Arkansas' beautiful Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is rural, friendly and home to the University of Arkansas. Situated in a green landscape of cantaloupe fields and alfalfa crops, quiet Fallon is home to Naval Air Station Fallon, where elite fighter pilots ("top guns") are trained.
Along the shores of the Alafia River on Florida's southwestern coast, comfortable Riverview is near state parks and world class beaches.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina On a barrier island of the same name, wooded Hilton Head Island started out in the 1600s and today is a popular tourist destination.
One of Arkansas' largest cities, Conway has a collegiate vibe, reasonable prices and excellent nearby lake recreation. Just outside of Augusta in eastern Georgia, Evans sits in the middle of golf country and is quiet, safe and prosperous. Home to part of The Villages, the large, popular 55+ community, Lady Lake is a quiet place with lakes, safe neighborhoods and leafy lanes.
Jacksonville, a quirky little town stuck in time, is nestled amid lakes, rivers and forests between the Cascade Mountains and the Klamath Mountains in rugged southwestern Oregon.
Considered by many to be the prettiest small city in Florida, Punta Gorda charms with its coastal locale, inviting cityscape, safe, canal laced neighborhoods and abundant boat recreation. It is a great retirement spot!
Tucked amid lavender farms, strawberry farms and raspberry farms on the scenic Olympic Peninsula in western Washington, cozy Sequim is quiet and relaxed. The downtown is cute; the scenery is beautiful, and outdoor recreation abounds. It is a great retirement spot! About an hour north of Tampa, the rural Weeki Wachee area grew up around the famous Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attraction. Bay Harbor Islands is a sun-soaked town that sits on two small islands along the southeastern Florida coast just east of North Miami. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills of scenic western North Carolina, Columbus is nice little town in a growing wine and equestrian region and started out in the mid-1800s.
In a scenic valley on the edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, little Etowah is popular with people who want to live in trendy, neighboring Asheville but cannot quite afford it.
Flagler Beach started out as a sleepy fishing village. Today, it has a funky, mellow vibe and is often overlooked by tourists and vacationers as they head to Daytona and points farther south. Is it a great place to retire?
Pretty Tallahassee is perched in the middle of the Florida Panhandle and is known for its canopy roads, which are lined with moss-draped live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and tall pines.
Surrounded by creeks and marshes, mellow Meggett sits along Wadmalaw Sound in southeastern South Carolina and has an "ends of the world" feeling about it.
Sleepy Port Royal sits next to Port Royal Sound and has had five countries, Spain, France, England, Scotland and the United States, as well as the Confederacy, hoist their flag over it.
Charming Flat Rock started out in the early-1800s as a summer retreat for wealthy Charlestonians and today is known as "Little Charleston of the Mountains." Petoskey is a cute resort community on the banks of Lake Michigan's sparkling Little Traverse Bay and is bordered by deep forests and rushing rivers.
Carolina Beach, North Carolina Pleasure Island sits along the southern North Carolina coast. On the island's northern end, the little town of Carolina Beach makes its home and boasts a low key, 1950s-ambiance with modest cottages in quiet neighborhoods.
Touristy Bar Harbor sits on a scenic, rock-bound coast and boasts breathtaking views, a darling downtown and a rich maritime culture.
Seattle sits on the shores of Puget Sound in west central Washington and boasts a beautiful cityscape, a bounty of eateries and pubs, theaters and museums, parks and trails, an educated populace and more. Is it a great place to retire? Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida A laid back town on a barrier island, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is popular with snorklers and divers and maintains a prosperous, bohemian vibe.
Once just a dusty desert outpost home to cattlemen, shopkeepers and scallywags, today Benson is the touristy gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park, a network of 50,000 year old underground passageways.
Lexington, a quaint little town deep in the fertile Shenandoah Valley, boasts historic architecture, a scenic setting, a collegiate vibe, reasonable costs, safe neighborhoods and more. It is a great retirement spot! Known for its beautiful beaches and tantalizing blue-green waters, Jupiter boasts swaying palm trees, glistening pastel-colored buildings and an abundance of golf courses.
Nestled along the Snake River, Twin Falls is known for dramatic Shoshone Falls, a nearby series of waterfalls that are actually taller than Niagara Falls.
Tucked against the majestic Rocky Mountain foothills, beautiful Boulder is trendy, progressive, enviromentally aware, outdoor oriented and home to the lovely University of Colorado flagship campus. It is a great retirement spot!
Once a hardscrabble mining camp, today Prescott is a vacation getaway with historic neighborhoods, a fun downtown, a gentle climate, excellent outdoor recreation and frontier character and more.
Near the Santa Rosa Mountains, pretty La Quinta is home to the world-famous PGA West golf complex and popular with tourists and "snowbirds."
People come to Gulf Shores, tucked along the central shore of Alabama, for its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful beaches, nine outstanding golf courses and deep sea fishing.
This high country hamlet was built as a company town and lives on today as a gateway to the Tuzigoot National Monument and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
A quiet town on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud has nicely tended neighborhoods and a cute downtown with brick streets.
East of the Cascades, picturesque Wenatchee is surrounded by mountains, rivers and apple orchards. While outdoor recreation abounds, cultural amenities are in good supply, too.
On the northeastern Florida coast, touristy Jacksonville Beach has classic white strips of sand and a fun boardwalk.
Tucked amid rolling hills and close to two large lakes, Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake, Mountain Home boasts outstanding water recreation, a slower pace and reasonably priced housing. Is it a great place to retire?
Ankeny is a tidy, wholesome town in pastoral central Iowa and has landed on "best places to live" lists.
Facing Lemon Bay on the southwestern Florida coast, mellow Englewood has an old fashioned Florida vibe, nearby barrier island beaches, a cute downtown, excellent fishing and more.
Is it a great place to retire?
A picturesque bayfront setting, a good hospital, leafy neighborhoods, a lively cultural community and abundant outdoor recreation are Traverse City highlights. It is a great retirement spot! Home to a sizeable musician population, Hernando has been landing on "best places to live" lists in the last few years. In rugged southeastern Utah, Moab was once a bohemian outpost but today draws 1.5 million outdoor adventure seekers every year.
Picturesque Solomons Island is a historic waterfront resort with a mature demographic, a lovely boardwalk, the Calvert Maritime Museum and more.
On the high desert outside of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho is a comfortable suburb with safe neighborhoods and reasonable costs.
The unincorporated beach town of Nokomis is between Sarasota and Venice on Florida's southwestern coast. It reminds many people of what Florida used to be and has a relaxed Gulf Coast vibe. In the shadow of the Wind River Mountain Range and 75 miles southeast of stunning Jackson Hole, Pinedale is popular with backcountry adventurers.
A quiet suburban atmosphere, wide boulevards lined with palm trees and neighborhoods interwoven with canals are Pembroke Pines' highlights.
A rustic but comfortable waterfront village with an "old salt" ambiance, Waldport is just minutes from the 630,000-acre Siuslaw National Forest.
Known for its mystical red rock formations, seductive light and rejuvenative powers, Sedona is a spiritual vortex with beautiful homes. It is a great retirement spot!
Not far from Orlando, Geneva is a peaceful place surrounded by water and wilderness and is sometimes called "the lost world" by locals.
A friendly, well-tended community, Elizabethtown is close to Fort Knox and popular with military families.
Salem is a quiet, mid-sized city. It is located along the Williamette River in the lush Willamette Valley in northwestern Oregon and is surrounded by natural beauty, just one hour away from the coast and an hour away from the Cascade Mountains.
Tucked along pretty Alligator Bay and Port Charlotte Harbor on the southwestern Florida coast, Port Charlotte is a low key, reasonably priced town popular with boaters, fishermen and more. It is, in fact, a great retirement spot! Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views.
Hacienda Village, Winter Springs, Florida This very casual, leafy 55+ co-op community is laid out along a meandering creek and has a recreation center, two swimming pools, RV storage, planned events and more.
Winter Garden, a pleasant town known for its cute downtown, boasts leafy neighborhoods, a fun farmers' market, a good parks system and more.
Not far from Albuquerque, Bosque Farms started out as part of a Spanish land grant and remains rustic and rural today. On North Carolina's northern Outer Banks' island of Roanoke, this secluded waterfront village curves around quiet Shallowbag Bay. Villas de Golf: a Low Key 55+ Community in Largo, Florida Settled with nicely maintained grounds, Villas de Golf has condominiums and overlooks an 18 hole golf course.
Sun City Hilton Head: a Large 55+ Community in Bluffton, South Carolina Sun City is a Del Webb active adult community, spread acros-s 4,300 acres of South Carolina Lowcountry, and has single family homes and town homes for sale.
Sunset Harbor: a Colorful Manufactured Home Community in Key West, Florida A mellow place in a mellow town, Sunset Harbor has pastel-colored homes that back to two deep water canals.
East of the Cascades, picturesque Wenatchee is surrounded by mountains, rivers and apple orchards. While outdoor recreation abounds, cultural amenities are in good supply, too.
Located in north central Florida, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando, mellow, semi-rural Tavares bills itself as "America's Seaplane City." It borders four large lakes and has several smaller ones within town limits. Rustic and charming with a cute downtown, Yachats is in a breathtaking setting, surrounded by mountains and sea.
Tucked amid lavendar farms on the scenic Olympic Peninsula, Sequim is quiet, safe and relaxed. It is a great retirement spot! Tucked in northern Georgia's Appalachian Mountain foothills, Dahlonega boasts a scenic setting, a cute downtown, plenty of festivals and a gentle pace. It is a great retirement spot!
Tiny Cedar Key sits on a small barrier island off Florida's Big Bend coast and has a seductive "ends of the earth" feeling about it. T-shirts and flip flops are standard attire. Growing Parker sits under a towering blue sky in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and is home to large properties and educated residents.
Outside of Orlando in northeastern Florida, Longwood is quiet, leafy and suburban.
Nestled in Idaho's scenic Panhandle, Post Falls sits along the Spokane River and boasts safe neighborhoods and nearby lake recreation.
Tucked on the southern half of southwestern Florida's Pine Island, St. James City is rife with wildlife, boasts Old Florida charm and is sometimes called a "drinking town with a fishing problem." On the banks of the Colorado River, comfortable Marble Falls is in the middle of the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes Chain.
Both a barrier island and a beach town, Tybee Island is an idyllic, casual vacation destination with an iconic lighthouse and dramatic sand dunes.
Home to Kansas State University, leafy Manhattan often lands on "best places to live" lists and has a distinct collegiate atmosphere.
Friendly Edwardsville is home to a university, tree-lined neighborhoods and a nice historic downtown. Suburban Altamonte Springs boasts reasonably priced living, with the white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach just an hour away. On Mobile Bay's eastern shore, Spanish Fort has a history that dates back to 1712 and is primarily residential.
A mellow, upscale seaside city in a gorgeous setting, Santa Barbara is known as the "American Riviera" and still has much of the old California magic. On the rugged Maine coast, Boothbay is an old fishing village with a working class sensibility, a touristy boardwalk and salt-laden air. Set amid rolling vineyards in the heart of Southern California's wine country, Temecula is known for its Spanish influences and trendy, walkable Old Town.
On the shores of shimmering Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a popular vacation destination and home of the original London Bridge. Is it a great place to retire? Leafy and comfortable, Wake Forest is part of the vibrant Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill's Research Triangle and has a nice downtown.
On Oregon's rugged central coast, Newport boasts a picturesque marina, art deco architecture from the 1920s and 1930s and plenty of nautical character.
Suburban Altamonte Springs boasts reasonably priced living, with the white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach just an hour away. On grassy rolling hills under a massive, majestic sky in north central Colorado, Castle Rock is safe, prosperous and growing fast. In rugged terrain east of the Cascade Mountain Range, picturesque Wenatchee sits amid rivers, mountains and apple orchards. Once home to Florida's largest sailing fleet, today Dunedin is known for its cute, walkable downtown, pretty marina and five miles of beautiful beaches. Is it a great place to retire?
Tucked in a valley in north central Arkansas' lush, rural Ozark Mountains, Mountain View is known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World."
A casual, pretty town, Lighthouse Point is on the southeastern Florida coast and laced with canals. Many homes have a pool and a boat.
A peaceful, pretty place, Cody is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and draws retirees looking for dry air, blue skies and a rich Western heritage. It is a great retirement spot! Dawsonville, leafy and welcoming, is just 55 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The North Georgia Mountains loom in the distance.
A sleepy town along the Indian River Lagoon, Sebastian is home to the country's first wildlife refuge and most biologically diverse estuary. People live here, too. Once a lumber port town, charming Saugatuck is on Lake Michigan's sandy eastern shore and boasts an artsy vibe.
Well planned from the beginning, Peachtree City boasts lovely homes, wooded surroundings and golf cart transporation. The rich menu of amenities includes lakes, golf courses, tennis courts, nature areas and much more. It is a great retirement spot!
Beautiful, romantic and full of great restaurants and historic architecture, Charleston charms nearly everyone. Is it a great place to retire? Next to the White Tank Mountains outside of Phoenix, Surprise is a well kept, growing town with new housing, new infrastructure and happy residents. Is it a great place to retire? Tucked on a barrier island off Georgia's southern coast, seductive St. Simons is known for its canopied lanes, understated elegance, rich history, long beaches and beautiful homes. It captivates nearly everyone, but is it a great place to retire?
On Florida's southwestern coast, beautiful Naples is known for its "beachy" resort ambiance, high-end shopping venues, golf courses and sugar white beaches. Is it a great place to retire?
Slightly overgrown and near Lake Jovita in west central Florida, San Antonio has a rural quality, some fun festivals and a quiet way of life.
Nestled along Lake Norman in rolling western North Carolina, Cornelius is a pretty community with an attractive downtown.
Just 18 miles north of downtown Miami on the southeastern Florida coast, Aventura is a posh, high density city sandwiched between Biscayne Boulevard and the Stranaham River. Home to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is a lively city with athletic events, museums, film festivals and more.
Surrounded by mountains and once just a dusty cow town, Bozeman is home to Montana State University and is a gateway to stunning Yellowstone National Park.
Dawsonville, leafy and welcoming, is just 55 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The North Georgia Mountains loom in the distance. On a prairie in the shadow of the Big Horn Mountains in wide-open north central Wyoming, Sheridan embodies the American West. It is safe, down to earth, full of practical folks and proud of its heritage. It is a great place to retire?
Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views. Known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, Columbia is home to the popular National Watch and Clock Museum, one of the few museums in the country devoted to timekeeping science.
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis sits in a pretty valley surrounded by forests and hills and boasts a vibrant atmosphere with a "granola" vibe.
Along the Southern California coast, Ventura is a seductive city known for its clean beaches, nearly perfect climate and wide array of things to do. It also has a funky downtown, eclectic architecture and a lively boardwalk.
Is it a great place to retire?
A pretty city, Boise boasts bountiful outdoor recreation, a lively cultural scene and safe neighborhoods. Is it a great place to retire? Nestled in a landscape of lakes and palm trees in central Florida, peaceful Hunter's Creek is an unincorporated town and master-planned community all rolled into one.
Fernandina Beach sits on idyllic Amelia Island, a barrier island known for its high-end resort hotels, golf courses and miles of white sand beaches. Nestled in breathtaking scenery in remote southwestern Colorado, trendy, mellow Telluride rests in a forested box canyon and is famous for its festivals and champagne powder.
Tucked in scenic western North Carolina, Brevard beckons with its musical soul, cute downtown and many waterfalls. It also has a reasonable cost of living, making it a great retirement spot!
Bay St. Louis is a low key town amid rivers, marshes and estuaries along the Bay of St. Louis and the Gulf of Mexico. Artsy, dusty and understated, Tubac boasts galleries, excellent restaurants, cobbled streets, interesting home styles and an unhurried pace. It is a great retirement spot!
Pleasant Goose Creek is outside of Charleston on the southern South Carolina coast and boasts a U.S. Navy presence.
Peaceful Bella Vista is nestled in northwestern Arkansas' lush Ozark Mountain foothills and appeals to people seeking beautiful mountain scenery, abundant lake recreation, tons of amenities and reasonably priced housing. It is a great retirement spot!
Outside of Phoenix, booming Buckeye sits in a green landscape of cotton and alfalfa fields and has many master-planned communities.
Sleepy Safety Harbor is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its quaint downtown, safe neighborhoods, pretty waterfront setting and friendly neighbors. It is a great retirement spot! Latest Short Review: Just east of sprawling Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Lake Barkley State Resort Park in southwestern Kentucky, Cadiz is a quiet country town nestled in a landscape of wooded hills, farmland and low stone walls. Is it a great place to retire? A quiet barrier island community, Ormond-by-the-Sea has an often uncrowded red sand beach and is near three beautiful state parks. A classic beach town, Miramar is known for its mesmerizing turquoise waters and miles of sugar white sand. A popular resort town, Lake Lure is in western North Carolina's scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and nestled around sparkling Lake Lure.
This lively Gulf Coast resort town is on a long barrier island and famous for its miles of beaches, abundant water activities and party atmosphere.
Not far from 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon is a quiet place with safe neighborhoods, affordable living and a mellow way of life. It is a great retirement spot!
Part of Florida's Lower Keys, Big Pine Key is a seductive, remote place with an ends-of-the-world feeling. Outside of Atlanta and well manicured, Woodstock is fast-growing with a nice downtown, a farmers' market and nearby lake recreation.
Once a winter resort, unassuming Rockledge borders the Indian River on Florida's Space Coast and is not far from the largest pelican rookery on the Atlantic Coast.
Trendy and touristy, Steamboat Springs is tucked in Colorado's rugged northwestern mountains and is a magnet for elite skiers and vacationing families.
A quiet town on the Florida coast, Hobe Sound boasts a cute downtown and a secret beach with nearly empty sand. Charming Lewisburg is tucked deep in the Allegheny Mountains and boasts an artsy vibe, tree-lined lanes, a historic downtown and abundant outdoor recreation. Once a pirate haunt, laid back Surf City sits in the middle of Topsail Island and boasts boardwalks, oceanfront homes and miles of white sand beaches. A college town with a pretty mountain desert setting, Tucson is one of one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in the country. It is also diverse, reasonably priced and home to an OLLI. Is it a great place to retire?
In one of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods, Casas Adobes has mountains all around and boasts a regional shopping venue.
Romantic and full of history, St. Augustine sits on the northeastern Florida coast and has a charming downtown, miles of beaches and a scenic waterfront. Is it a great place to retire?
Sleepy Mechanicsburg is in the Cumberland Valley, an agricultural region, just west of Harrisburg (the state capital) and the Susquehanna River in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Once a busy ferry stop on the Colorado River, today Yuma is a tourist and "snowbird" destination that comes alive during the winter months.
Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
Tega Cay sits on a densely forested peninsula on the eastern edge of 13,400-acre Lake Wylie and was built as a gated community in the 1970s.
On the eastern banks of the Chesapeake Bay, historic Easton has a quaint town center and an established feeling.
Once home to pirates, rum runners and sea captains, this waterfront hamlet is now popular with history lovers, romantics, water aficionados and retirees.
About an hour north of San Francisco, rural, mellow Sebastopol is surrounded by rolling hills and acres of vineyards.
Home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford boasts a literary vibe, intellectual stimulation, a historic downtown and an intense football culture. It is a great retirement spot!
Friendly Billings grew up around freight hauling and railroading. For years it was an actual Wild West town, with dusty streets, noisy saloons, quick draw gunfights, gamblers, cowboys and ladies of the evening. Its downtown is in a rimrock canyon carved by a river. Once home to Florida's largest sailing fleet, today Dunedin is known for its cute, walkable downtown, pretty marina and five miles of beautiful beaches. Is it a great place to retire?
On Aransas Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast, Rockport is a funky, low key tourist destination known for its clean beaches and outstanding fishing waters. It was struck by Hurricane Harvey in August, 2017 but is a resilient place and rebuilding. Is it a great place to retire? Charming Flat Rock started out in the early-1800s as a summer retreat for wealthy Charlestonians and today is known as "Little Charleston of the Mountains."
Offbeat and progressive, Eugene, Oregon is home to the University of Oregon and entices retirees with its leafy neighborhoods, lively cultural scene, fun fairs, academic vibe and more. It is a great retirement spot!
In the rugged, high altitude Verde Valley of central Arizona, Cottonwood has a fun historic center, plenty of outdoor recreation, nearby wineries, safe neighborhoods and lots of sunshine. Is it a great place to retire?
In central Texas, Temple is a regional medical center with an award-winning library, an orchestra, reasonably priced housing and more. Situated along a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs has a rich culture and boasts a charming tourist area with an eclectic collection of sponge shops, galleries and eateries.
Santos Isle: a 55+ Apartment Community in Tarpon Springs, Florida Colorful buildings, a library, a fitness center and a swimming pool are highlights of this reasonably priced 55+ apartment community. A quiet, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks. Nestled on a three mile long barrier island on the southern North Carolina coast, Sunset Beach is a quiet place with a white sand beach, turtle talks, five golf courses and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Steeped in history, pretty Gloucester is along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and brims with stately homes.
Thayne, once called "Little Switzerland," is on the northern edge of Wyoming's Star Valley, a scenic area within 100 miles of Yellowstone National Park.
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Pleasure Island sits along the southern North Carolina coast and is bounded by the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. On the island's northern end, laid back Carolina Beach makes its home. Rapidly
growing Queen Creek sits in the desert of south
central Arizona and is considered a Phoenix
exurb, about 45 minutes from that city's
downtown. Deep in northern Virginia's lush Shenandoah Valley and surrounded by apple orchards, Winchester is just 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C. It is a quaint place, rich in history, and dates from 1729. Leisurely Lynchburg sits amid rolling hills in central Virginia and boasts a reasonable cost of living, a historic sensibility, a mellow pace and leafy neighborhoods. It is a great retirement spot! Quiet Edgewater is a waterfront town just west of the Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve and has a country quality. On a high desert plateau in western Colorado, unassuming Grand Junction has a mix of outdoor types, families, college kids and retirees. Quiet Apollo Beach is not far from Tampa and has canal-laced neighborhoods, good seafood restaurants, a manatee festival and more. On the shores of pretty Greers Ferry Lake in the Ozark Mountains of rural northcentral Arkansas, Fairfield Bay was founded in the mid-1960s as a resort and retirement community.
Peaceful Lakeland has a nice downtown, 38 named lakes and a way of life that revolves around the water.
Once a logging hub, today cozy Whitefish is a touristy year round resort with a spectacular mountain scenery backdrop.
Bounded by the San Rafael Hills and the Angeles National Forest in southern California, Pasadena has not only a famous parade but tree-lined neighborhoods, golf courses, theaters, a fun Old Town and more.
Peaceful Ocean Springs sits on Mississippi's east Gulf Coast and began as the first permanent settlement in French Louisiana in 1699.
Deep in northern Virginia's lush Shenandoah Valley and surrounded by apple orchards, Winchester is just 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C. It is a quaint place, rich in history, and dates from 1729.
Canyon, the setting for West Texas A&M University, is also the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a dramatic canyon system second only in size to the Grand Canyon.
Willow Lawn Cottages: an Intimate 55+ Community in Winchester, Virginia Outside of Washington, D.C., quiet Willow Lawn Cottages is a small 55+ community with just 120 single family homes and a reasonable HOA fee. It was built over a five year period from 1999 to 2004. At the edge of the Cumberland Plateau where the mountains meet carpets of bluegrass, rural Berea is a quiet place steeped in Appalachian culture. Home to Berea College, it also attracts tourists and shoppers from around the region. It is a great retirement spot! Once the stomping grounds of Daniel Boone, leafy Columbia boasts excellent medical facilities, plenty of cultural amenities, a collegiate vibe, an OLLI and reasonably priced living. It is a great retirement spot!
Dunedin has an attractive downtown, affordable housing, plenty of festivals and beautiful beaches. Is it a great place to retire? A quiet barrier island community, Ormond-by-the-Sea has an often uncrowded red sand beach and is near three beautiful state parks. Named for the large number of lakes within its borders, pretty, residential Land O' Lakes is at the northern edge of the Tampa metropolitan area. Home to Idaho State University, Pocatello is a peaceful city with a nice Old Town, a beautiful performing arts center and nearby outdoor recreation venues.
On the northern tip of Tampa Bay, Oldsmar has waterfront homes and a huge flea market. In the scenic Appalachian Mountains, bucolic Blacksburg is the setting for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a classic college town.
In the scenic Appalachian Mountains, bucolic Blacksburg is the setting for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a classic college town.
Popular with surfers, Paia is on Maui's north shore and boasts colorful shops, a quiet beach and a laid back attitude.
In the scenic Appalachian Mountains, bucolic Blacksburg is the setting for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a classic college town.
Myrtle Beach, part of South Carolina's Grand Strand, boasts white sand beaches, golf courses, fun shopping venues, great restaurants, reasonably priced homes and much more. Is it a great place to retire
Outside of Houston, The Woodlands is an upscale master planned community and census designated place with shopping centers, golf courses, libraries, a town center and more. Is it a great place to retire?
A vibrant, stimulating atmosphere, friendly folks, a rich football tradition, safe neighborhoods and an OLLI are Auburn highlights. It is a great retirement spot! Laced with canals and dotted with lakes, Royal Palm Beach is primarily residential and has a cultural center, tidy neighborhoods and acres of open space. Along Galveston Bay, Seabrook has a suburban quality and is known for its large boating community.
Tucked in the mountains of northern Georgia, Blue Ridge is a tourist destination and is becoming a popular retirement spot.
Next to the White Tank Mountains outside of Phoenix, Surprise is a well kept, growing town with new housing, new infrastructure and happy residents. Is it a great place to retire? The quaint little college town of Due West is in South Carolina's Upcountry, an area rich in Revolutionary War and Civil War history and far from the coast.
Outside of Phoenix, Tempe is home to the University of Arizona, plenty of golf courses, a popular arts festival and more.
Bounded by the Gulf Coast and Lake Tarpon, Palm Harbor is home to the world class Innisbrook Golf and Resort Club and has a cute downtown. Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
Named for the large number of lakes within its borders,
pretty, residential Land O' Lakes is at the northern edge of the Tampa metropolitan area.
New Port Richey is about 30 miles to the west
and has a beach park.
Buckeye is 35 miles from downtown Phoenix and is the western most city in the Phoenix metro area. Its agricultural heritage is visible in the surrounding acres of cotton and alfalfa, creating an unexpected green landscpape. The Estrella Mountains loom in the distance.
Victory at Verrado: Handsome 55+ Homes in Buckeye, Arizona
With the White Tank Mountains in the distance, Victory at Verrado sits in a dramatic landscape of bluffs, buttes and ravines on the eastern edge of Buckeye, Arizona. It is a large 55+ neighborhood within the all ages, master-planned development of Verrado.
A quiet riverfront town, Ellenton has a rural quailty and an interesting mix of neighborhoods. Along the shores of High Point Lake in hilly north central North Carolina, peaceful Jamestown was founded by Quakers in 1816.
A small, upscale mountain hamlet, Evergreen has a lively downtown, an established theater company and homes that meld into the hills.
Populated with educated residents and leafy neighborhoods, Cary is known for its rich quality of life and progessive use of technology.
Christiansburg is an easygoing town in the lush rolling landscape of western Virginia and started out in 1792 as a stop along the Great Wilderness Road.
Friendly, mellow Stuart sits on southeastern Florida's famed Treasure Coast and is known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World."
In rugged southwestern Oregon, Grants Pass is known for its outdoor way of life and down to earth residents. Lush and low key, Easley is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern South Carolina and boasts a country ambiance. Healthy living, plenty of golf, a dry climate and sun drenched beauty are St. George highlights. It is a great retirement spot!
On the shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, picturesque St. Joseph, part of the "Riviera of the Midwest," is a charming little resort with scenic beaches, grassy parks and fun festivals. Is it a great place to retire?
Tucked in northern Georgia's Appalachian Mountain foothills, Dahlonega boasts a scenic setting, a cute downtown, plenty of festivals and a gentle pace. It is a great retirement spot! Named after its many coconut palms, Coconut Creek has an abundance of parks, gardens, canals and lushly landscaped avenues. Leafy and rural, Lake Alfred is a simple place with five named lakes and plenty opportunities for fishing and boating. This tiny, quirky East Bay town is in a lush canyon 30 miles north east of San Francisco and is part of the scenic Carquinez Strait shoreline.
Situated in the rolling hills of western Kentucky, Bowling Green was once the capital of Confederate Kentucky and today is home to Western Kentucky University.
Outside of Las Vegas and not too far from the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Henderson has a newish feeling about it and brims with master planned communities, shopping, golf courses and eateries. Is it a great place to retire?
Wynmoor: a Gated 55+ Community in Coconut Creek, Florida Sedate and well-settled, Wynmoor Village is a large 55+ condominium community dotted with palm trees, ponds and fountains.
Under sunny blue skies in southern Arizona, unincorporated Green Valley is a retirement oasis with reasonable costs and a large recreation non-profit organization, GVR, that manages a full range of services and amenities, including 16 or more recreation/social facilities, dozens of clubs, hobby shops, classes, trips, concerts and volunteer groups.
Lush and low key, Easley is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern South Carolina and boasts a country ambiance. Colonial Beach is a slightly worn seaside town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront. Is it a great place to retire?
Dotted with open space, lakes and canals, Palm Beach Gardens is known for its many golf courses and gated commuities. Carolina Shores, North Carolina Close to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Shores is popular with retirees and is a loose confederation of six well-manicured master planned communities.
A quiet, well-managed city, Idaho Fall sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
In the wooded foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, Maryville boasts affordable living, safe neighborhoods, a beautiful library and outstanding outdoor recreation just down the road. It is a great place to retire?
Along the San Gabriel River in lush central Texas, friendly Georgetown boasts a beautifully restored downtown, a colorful flower festival, safe neighborhoods and a casual way of life. It is a great retirement spot!
A mellow lakeside town, Groveland has a country quality and is peppered with weeping willows and palm trees. Davidson is a lakeside town that boasts a small liberal arts college, a quaint downtown and leafy neighborhoods. Amid rolling hills and Amish farms, Canadian Lakes is a resort known for its abundant outdoor recreation and is a favorite with retirees. In the sleepy coastal village of Little River, the oldest town along the Grand Strand, life moves at a gentle pace, and playing in the water is a common activity.
Swaddled by mountain peaks and national forest in spectacular northwestern Colorado, Breckenridge is cute, trendy and touristy.
At the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains, Missoula boasts beautiful scenery, a lively cultural scene, good hospitals and abundant outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! Black Mountain, North Carolina In scenic western North Carolina, where the Swannanoa Valley meets the Black Mountains, cozy Black Mountain boasts abundant outdoor recreation, safe neighborhoods, an artsy vibe and a certain mountain mystique. It is a great retirement spot!
An excellent hospital,
clean beaches, a strong arts culture and
relatively affordable housing are Venice
highlights. Is it a great place to retire? Located on the
Colorado River in southern Nevada, Laughlin was once
nearly dead, nothing more than a dusty, desert
outpost. Today, it is a gambling
resort and
attracts three million tourists per
year. Tiny Cedar Key sits on a small barrier island and has a seductively tropical, "ends of the earth" feeling about it. A pleasant town with a casual Old West flavor, Golden is tucked between two table mountains and a canyon just west of Denver.
Adjacent to Mississippi State University, Starkville is a somewhat liberal place in an othewise very conservative state.
On the southern end of a peninsula of the same name, Merritt Island is near 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the stunning Canaveral National Seashore. In the lush Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Ellijay is a growing country town known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia."
A booming bedroom community outside of Phoenix, Goodyear is often noted for its "livability" and year-round outdoor recreation.
Tega Cay sits on a densely forested peninsula on the eastern edge of 13,400-acre Lake Wylie. It is about 20 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and was built as a gated community in the 1970s. It is now incorporated. Part of Florida's Lower Keys, Big Pine Key is a seductive, remote place with an ends-of-the-world feeling.
A scenic town on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Horseshoe Bay is home to the Horseshoe Bay Resort and is primarily residential. Sleepy Port Royal sits next to Port Royal Sound and has had five countries, Spain, France, England, Scotland and the United States, as well as the Confederacy, hoist their flag over it.
Tucked in a valley in north central Arkansas' lush, rural Ozark Mountains, Mountain View is known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World." Just east of Phoenix, cosmopolitan Scottsdale bustles with activity and is known for its richly textured quality of life.
A working fishing village and deep water seaport on the Florida Panhandle, Carrabelle has a nice beach and an Old Florida vibe. A wine and foodie town, Dundee is nestled in the fertile countryside of northwestern Oregon's pretty Willamette Valley.
Tucked into a corner of the Superstition Mountains about 35 miles to the east of downtown Phoenix, modest, sun soaked Apache Junction grew up around the intersection of the Apache Trail and U.S. Route 60.
At the western edge of the Okeechobee Waterway, Alva is in a landscape of citrus groves, grazing cattle and large oak trees with hanging moss, evoking Old Florida. Cascades at River Hall: a Peaceful 55+ Community in Alva, Florida Single family homes are for sale in this quiet, gated 55+ neighborhood, and many of them have water views.
Kentucky's second largest city is in the heart of the state's lush Bluegrass Region and is known as the "Horse Capital of the World."
A comfortable city outside of Dallas-Fort Worth, Grapevine gets its name from the wild grapes that once carpeted the land.
On the shores of Boca Ciega Bay, Gulfport is known for its Old Florida waterfront district and artsy, bohemian vibe. Comfortable Concord boasts three historic districts and is less than an hour from sprawling Lake Norman, the "island sea" of North Carolina.
Set in a desert landscape punctuated with buttes and culverts, friendly Boulder City is 25 miles to the southeast of downtown Las Vegas and about five miles to the west of sprawling Lake Mead.
This popular Gulf Coast resort town is on a long barrier island and famous for its miles of beaches, abundant water activities and party atmosphere.
Not far from 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon is a quiet place with safe neighborhoods, affordable living and a mellow way of life. It is a great retirement spot!
In an area dotted with primitive wetlands and woodlands, peaceful Bayonet Point sits next to Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, a place where dolphins, gray foxes and tortoises make their home. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Beautiful Mount Pleasant is a Charleston suburb, known for its easy tempo, lovely homes, safe, leafy streets, clean beaches and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Colonial Beach is a slightly worn seaside town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront. Is it a great place to retire?
Historic New Bern is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region where the Neuse River and Trent River converge. Often overlooked by tourists as they hurry on their way to the Outer Banks, it has a charming downtown, beautiful homes and reasonable prices. It is a great retirement spot!
Spread across the Point Brown Peninsula on Washington's scenic mid-coast, salty Ocean Shores was once a Hollywood jetsetter hangout and today is a weekend tourist destination.
Tucked between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, sleepy Waynesville appeals to people who love the outdoors.
Nestled in the lush rolling hills of northeastern Tennessee, Norris is popular with people in search of lakeside living and country charm. Its layout is based on the English garden city design movement of the 1890s, and it has a pretty central square. Is it a great place to retire?
Alachua is a quiet country town with deep agricultural roots and a cute downtown lined with Bradford Pear trees.
Kure Beach is on the southern end of Pleasure Island and is a relaxed place, home to a nice boardwalk and miles of clean white beaches. Once a trail stop for Mexican conquistadors, Sierra Vista is in the southeastern corner of Arizona and is surrounded by rugged mountains. It is also the Hummingbird Capital of the World.
Marquette is a pretty seaport on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and boasts a scenic waterfront, two beaches, dozens of parks, several theaters, a university, a regional medical center and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Latest Town Snapshots: Dredged from wetlands and the ocean floor, mellow Hernando Beach boasts direct Gulf access and homes that back to canals. Just two hours away from everything (according to locals), Lexington boasts reasonable prices and nearby lake recreation.
On a rolling prairie outside of Fort Worth, Springtown is named for the cold springs that once bubbled from nearby hillsides and today is a growing commuter town.
Tucked on a barrier island and known for its white/gray sand beach, Juno Beach is tranquil, casual and affluent. Once a trail stop for Mexican
conquistadors, Sierra Vista is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona, approximately 75 miles
from Tucson. It is surrounded by
rugged mountains and bills itself as the
Hummingbird Capital of the World.
Once known as Boggy Bayou, Niceville is located along the Choctawhatchee Bay on Florida's western Panhandle coast and is popular with military families and retirees.
Home to the University of the South, cozy Sewanee sits atop the Cumberland Plateau in pretty south central Tennessee and has a lively collection of dining and shopping establishments.
Located on the Colorado River in southern Nevada, Mesquite, once just a dusty, desert outpost, today is a gambling resort that draws three million tourists per year.
On Wyoming's southeastern plains, peaceful, unpretentious Cheyenne makes its home, attracting people looking for the authentic American West, blue skies, dry air and wide open spaces. It is a great retirement spot!
With marshes and inlets on one side and the beaches of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island not far away, Yulee is a collection of suburbs with a country flavor. Murray is home to Murray State University and just 20 minutes from Land Between the Lakes, a huge national recreation area.
Tucked at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado, Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University and has an educated populace, a lively atmosphere and a casual, Western way of life. Is it a great place to retire?
Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views. Known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, Columbia is home to the popular National Watch and Clock Museum, one of the few museums in the country devoted to timekeeping science.
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis sits in a pretty valley surrounded by forests and hills and boasts a vibrant atmosphere with a "granola" vibe.
Peaceful Newport sits along the Newport River about two miles inland from Bogue Sound on North Carolina's mid-coast. Reasonably priced, it has grown by 85% in the last decade or two and is primarily residential. A remote town at nearly 6,000 feet above sea level in eastern Arizona, Snowflake was named after two men, Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake. Homes with a white picket fence and a front porch with a rocking chair are not uncommon. McClellanville, South Carolina Home to artists and writers, McClellanville is nestled against tidal creeks and saltwater marshes and is a beautiful, secluded place.
A picturesque bayfront setting, an excellent hospital, leafy neighborhoods, a lively cultural community and abundant outdoor recreation are Traverse City highlights. It is a great retirement spot! Tucked on the southern half of southwestern Florida's Pine Island, St. James City is undeveloped, agricultural and rife with wildlife. Comfortable Concord boasts three historic districts and is less than an hour from sprawling Lake Norman, the "island sea" of North Carolina.
Jacksonville, a quirky little town stuck in time, is nestled amid lakes, rivers and forests between the Cascade Mountains and the Klamath Mountains in rugged southwestern Oregon.
"Two miles long and a smile wide," Madeira Beach sits on an island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Boca Ciega Bay. Oak Island is a classic, unhurried beach town and stretches along a barrier island on the southern North Carolina shore. Leafy Lawrence is a quintessential college town and often lands on "best places to live" lists. People come to Gulf Shores, tucked along the central shore of Alabama, for its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful beaches, nine outstanding golf courses and deep sea fishing. Not far from San Antonio in south central Texas, New Braunfels beckons with its lush riverfront locale, welcoming spirit and unique heritage. It is a great retirement spot!
Between the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River on Florida's northeastern coast, Ormond Beach has an orange beach lined by tall hotels with beachfront pools.
An active small city with an educated population, Davis is enviromentally-friendly, progressive and the site of the University of California - Davis campus. Nestled in the foothills of eastern Tennessee's lush Great Smoky Mountains, charming Loudon was once a busy Tennessee River steamship port and is named after nearby Fort Loudoun. 10 Worst States for Retirement
Canyon, the setting for West Texas A&M University, is also the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a dramatic canyon system second only in size to the Grand Canyon.
Swaddled by lush rolling hills in west central Arkansas, Russellville sits along the Arkansas River between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. It is an unpretentious, amiable place with affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and outstanding outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! Nestled along inlets, islets and the Little Manatee River, Ruskin has a "country" way of life and is a peaceful, mellow town. Angel Fire is a resort village in the hinterlands of northeastern New Mexico. At 8,553 feet above sea level, it sits in a beautiful valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a quiet, outdoor oriented place infused with Southwestern character.
Reasonably priced, quiet and safe, Pooler is not far from posh Hilton Head Island, sunny Florida beaches and bustling Atlanta.
Home to part of The Villages, the large, popular 55+ community, Lady Lake is a quiet place with lakes, safe neighborhoods and leafy lanes. At 8,900 feet above sea level and surrounded by national forest, Crested Butte sits next to Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort and is popular with skiiers and vacationing families.
This casual, affluent Outer Banks town has both a traditional village and a newer beachfront community.
Part of Florida's Lower Keys, Big Pine Key is a seductive, remote place with an ends-of-the-world feeling.
A scenic town on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Horseshoe Bay is home to the Horseshoe Bay Resort and is primarily residential. Sleepy Port Royal sits next to Port Royal Sound and has had five countries, Spain, France, England, Scotland and the United States, as well as the Confederacy, hoist their flag over it.
Named for the deer that once grazed nearby, Deerfield Beach has a long strip of sand, a boardwalk and a busy downtown. Hugging the rugged outcroppings of the Blue Hill peninsula on Maine's central coast, this charming, weathered waterfront town has a history that reaches back to 1762.
Friendly and unpretentious, Wichita Falls was built on oil money and sits under a giant sky. It is home to Sheppard Air Force Base and a small college.
Tucked along pretty Alligator Bay and Port Charlotte Harbor on the southwestern Florida coast, Port Charlotte is a low key, reasonably priced town popular with boaters, fishermen and more. It is, in fact, a great retirement spot!
Amid orchid farms and waterfalls, Hilo sits along the Big Island's cerulean Hilo Bay. It is very mellow, slightly rustic, breathtakingly green and home to a University of Hawaii campus. It is a great retirement spot! Reminiscent of Old Florida, Brooksville boasts a cute downtown, canopy lanes and a nearby state forest perfect for biking, fishing and picnicing. A friendly, well-tended community, Elizabethtown is close to Fort Knox and popular with military families.
Nearby big city amenities, a reasonable cost of living, a cute "old town" and fun festivals draw people to Slidell. Is it a great place to retire?
Peaceful Bella Vista appeals to people seeking beautiful lake and mountain scenery, ample amenities and affordable living. It is a great retirement spot! Next to a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs has a rich culture and a charming tourist area with an eclectic collection of sponge shops, galleries and eateries.
Just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation in western Wyoming, Lander is near three designated wilderness areas, two national forests and more than 40 skyscraping mountain peaks. In the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Banner Elk is a vacation destination and has a cute downtown. Originally the gateway between the U.S. and the Texas frontier, Nacogdoches is in leafy East Texas and is the home of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Nautical Friday Harbor the the hub of the San Juan Islands Archipelago and sits in a breathtaking setting on the eastern shore of San Juan Island.
A peaceful, well-managed town, Suwanee is in northern Georgia and has an inviting downtown, a large community garden, plenty of recreation venues and more. Is it a great place to retire? Along Lake Jesup and the Spring Hammock Preserve, Winter Springs is a pleasant community with an attractive town center and pretty lake views.
Southern Shores, North Carolina On the Outer Banks, secluded Southern Shores has an elegant seaside vibe and is peppered with beautiful homes.
Historic, touristy Gettysburg has a bucolic setting and is full of wine shops, candy stores, pubs, galleries and more.
Nestled along the Snake River, Twin Falls is known for dramatic Shoshone Falls, a nearby series of waterfalls that are actually taller than Niagara Falls. Colonial Beach is a slightly worn seaside town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront. Is it a great place to retire? Dredged from wetlands and the ocean floor, mellow Hernando Beach boasts direct Gulf access and homes that back to canals. On the shores of Lake Ontario, historic Niagara-on-the-Lake is has a lovely downtown, is popular with tourists and might be Canada's prettiest town. Tucked between the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon on the southeastern Florida coast, Port St. Lucie is a mellow city with safe neighborhoods, a fun botanic garden, a world class resort, plenty of golf opportunities and an abundance of water recreation. Is it a great place to retire?
Sandwiched betweeen Old Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west central coast, Largo is a pleasant city dotted with lakes and has a bustling downtown. Originally a stagecoach stop on the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike, comfortable White House is along Interstate 65 outside of Nashville. It is a rural, residential place, peppered with tall trees, green spaces and nice homes.
Safe and suburban, Virginia Beach sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay and has 35 miles of beaches, drawing thousands of sand, sun and surf lovers every year.
Nestled in a landscape of lakes and palm trees in central Florida, peaceful Hunter's Creek is an unincorporated town and master-planned community all rolled into one. Known as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, Magnolia Springs brims with wisteria, camellias, azaleas and has its mail delivered by boat.
Salem is a quiet, mid-sized city in the lush Willamette Valley in northwestern Oregon and is surrounded by natural beauty, just one hour away from the coast.
Leafy and comfortable, Belle Isle completely surrounds Lake Conway and boasts plenty of opportunities for water recreation. A Phoenix urban/suburban village, Ahwatukee has been called the "World's Largest Cul de Sac" and has a trendy vibe. Home to a sizeable musician population, Hernando has been landing on "best places to live" lists in the last few years. On the rugged Oregon coast, Florence is a weathered, touristy hamlet with a cute downtown, uncrowded beaches and a magical hobbit trail. Is it a great place to retire?
In the middle of the Outer Banks, rustic Wanchese occupies the southern edge of Roanoke Island and has lower costs than other North Carolina coastal towns.
Along the Colorado River high in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado, beautiful Glenwood Springs is touristy, collegiate and laid back. Outdoor recreation abounds, but the town is best known for it therapeutic waters.
Nestled along the Rocky Mountain foothills in pretty northern Colorado, Loveland is the "Sweetheart City" and boasts safe neighborhoods, good medical facilities, blue skies and plenty of outdoor recreation. Is it a great place to retire? Almost completely surrounded by water and wilderness, Goodland sits on the outlying eastern edge of Marco Island in southwestern Florida. One of America's "coolest small towns," friendly Mount Vernon is perched atop a wooded hill and is home to Cornell College, a small liberal arts college.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a Victorian village, an artists' retreat and a fun tourist destination all rolled into one. Is it a great place to retire?
Beautiful, upscale Sonoma is the center of California's wine country and is tucked in a landscape of rolling farmland and fertile vineyards.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a Victorian village, an artists' retreat and a fun tourist destination all rolled into one.
Is it a great place to retire?
Holiday Island: A Pretty Lakeside Community in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
On Oregon's rugged central coast, compact,
nautical Newport sits on the north side of Yaquina Bay and is connected
to points south by a stunning 1936 arch
bridge. It was named after the
upscale Rhode Island town and has a history as a
steamboat port.
The small barrier island community of Indian Shores is a balmy, relaxed place without the crowds found in nearby communities. Barefoot Beach Resort: a Colorful Condo Community in Indian Shores, Florida
On the southern end of Indian Shores, Barefoot Beach Resort, a condominium community, spreads across five acres and overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. Lexington, a quaint Shenandoah Valley town, boasts historic architecture, a scenic setting and a collegiate vibe. It is a great retirement spot!
A little more than a mile long, Beverly Beach sits on a barrier island between the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean and has a beautiful strip of sand. On a bluff above the May River on South Carolina's southern coast, Bluffton was built by wealthy plantation owners seeking a place to escape the summer heat.
Latest In Depth Review: Popular with artists, historians, musicians, writers, opera lovers and the occasional celebrity, Santa Fe is sophisticated, understated and rustic. It is known for its unique architecture, rich heritage, great restaurants, art galleries and hint of mysticism, all of which make it a great retirement spot!
Bordered by Lake Monroe, the St. John's River and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, DeBary is dotted with thousands of live oaks, cypress trees and southern magnolias. King's Lake: a Leafy 55+ Community in Debary, Florida
This low key community has colorful, low maintenance homes, some facing the water and some fronting a conservation area. In the heart of the Uwharrie Mountains, Asheboro is a "certified retirement community" and home to the world's largest natural habitat zoo. Funky little Palmer Lake is tucked against the Pike National Forest in central Colorado and boasts expansive views and a cute downtown. Pleasant Goose Creek is outside of romantic Charleston on the southern South Carolina coast and has a U.S. Navy presence.
An active small city with an educated population, Davis is enviromentally-friendly, progressive and the site of the University of California - Davis campus.
Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in western Nevada and is about an hour north of stunning Lake Tahoe.
Compact, coastal Belleair Bluffs rests on one of Florida's highest coastline elevations and is a gateway to Gulf Coast beaches. Garden City is on South Carolina's northeastern coast, about eight miles south of Myrtle Beach, and is a mellow community known for having one of the best beaches in the state.
A remote town at nearly 6,000 feet above sea level in eastern Arizona, Snowflake was named after two men, Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake.
Once home to pirates and bounty hunters, Folly Beach is on Folly Island just southeast of Charleston and is known to locals as the "Edge of America." This affluent barrier island community
is just 15 miles east of Charleston on the
mid-South Carolina coast. It may be best known for its clean beaches,
weathered boardwalks and colorful eateries. The quaint little college town of Due West is in South Carolina's Upcountry, an area rich in Revolutionary War and Civil War history and far from the coast.
Once a hardscrabble mining camp, today Prescott is a vacation getaway and a popular place with retirees. Historic neighborhoods, a fun downtown, a gentle climate, excellent outdoor recreation and frontier character are a few of its charms. It is a great retirement spot! A cosmopolitan resort community on a barrier island east of North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach beckons with gorgeous beach, blue green waters, sparkling buildings and tropical vegetation. This cute, tranquil Coos County town is tucked along the rugged southern Oregon coast and is a place where the water views invigorate the soul.
A pretty town, Cape Coral boasts 400 miles of canals and a soothing ambiance. Bays and sounds are all around, and opportunities for boating and fishing abound.
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Fredericton is an attractive city known for its love of the arts, craft breweries, coffee houses, whale watching and more. A friendly town in a scenic but rugged valley, Spring Creek is a comfortable hamlet between Reno and Salt Lake City and started out as a planned community in the 1970s. Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smoky Mountains in scenic western North Carolina, Asheville, home to retirees, artists, farmers and outdoor types, is artsy and funky with an emerging resort-like atmosphere. Is it a great place to retire?
Just west of lively Myrtle Beach, Socastee is reasonably priced with neatly laid out neighborhoods and beaches just down the road.
Kentucky's second largest city is in the heart of the state's lush Bluegrass Region and is known as the "Horse Capital of the World."
Along the Colorado River high in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado, beautiful Glenwood Springs is touristy, collegiate and laid back. Outdoor recreation abounds, but the town is best known for it therapeutic waters and has the world's largest outdoor hot springs pool. Glenwood Springs is a great retirement spot!
A comfortable city outside of Dallas-Fort Worth, Grapevine gets its name from the wild grapes that once carpeted the land.
Latest Short Review: Colonial Beach is a slightly worn seaside town with reasonable living costs and Virginia's second longest beachfront. Is it a great place to retire?
An unassuming place just across from the white sands of Navarre Beach, Navarre has a small but quaint downtown, with ice cream shops, cafes, bookstores and other retailers. Is it a great place to retire?
Ellenton is a quiet
town along the Manatee River in
southwestern Florida. It is across
the river from Bradenton and been growing,
increasing its population by 13% within the last
decade. When
German elites fled oppressive political and
social conditions in the mid-1800s, some of them
came to the Texas Hill Country in south central
Texas and founded
Fredericksburg, which was named after Prince
Frederick of Prussia. The town is located
75 miles west of Austin and still called
Fritztown by some residents. People come to Gulf Shores, tucked along the central shore of Alabama, for its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful beaches, nine outstanding golf courses and deep sea fishing. On the St. Lucie River Inlet and straddling the scenic Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno is known for its seafood and recreational fishing.
Madison, a pretty city on the banks of Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, has shaded neighborhoods and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Christiansburg is an easygoing town in the lush rolling landscape of western Virginia and started out in 1792 as a stop along the Great Wilderness Road. Youngsville got its start as a French Acadian farming settlement in the early-1800s and retains a country quality even today. This high country hamlet was built as a company town and survives today as a gateway to the Tuzigoot National Monument and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Unlimited amenities, abundant outdoor recreation
and excellent medical facilities are Las Vegas highlights.
Is it a great place to retire?
In
southeastern North Carolina, the quiet little
town of Lake Waccamaw is on the northern edge of
oval-shaped, 9,000-acre Lake Waccamaw.
Swampland and state park land surround the rest
of the lake's 14 mile shoreline.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge
Mountains in lush western Virginia, attractive,
artsy Abingdon is the Washington County seat and
dates from the mid-1700s. It has an active
arts scene and is proud of its heritage.
Just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation in western Wyoming, Lander is near three designated wilderness areas, two national forests and more than 40 skyscraping mountain peaks.
On Wyoming's southeastern plains, peaceful, unpretentious Cheyenne makes its home, attracting people looking for the authentic American West, blue skies, dry air and wide open spaces. It is a great retirement spot! College
Station is in the beautiful Brazos Valley deep in
the heart of Texas. It grew up around the railroad
and sprawling Texas A&M University (54,000
students) and is a classic college town.
The population has grown by 35% within the last
decade. Originally started as a religious colony, today Estero is a mellow place with abundant wildlife, plenty of recreational opportunities and nearby pretty beaches. Nestled in northwestern Arkansas' beautiful Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is rural, friendly and home to the University of Arkansas.
In the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont is a low key town surrounded by farmland and more than 1,000 acres of open space.
Nestled in the foothills of
eastern Tennessee's lush Great Smoky Mountains,
charming Loudon was once a busy Tennessee River
steamship port. It is named
after nearby Fort Loudoun, a reconstructed
Colonial-era British fort.
Tucked along the shores of Table Rock Lake, Holiday Island has a marina, 27 holes of golf and a wide range of home prices.
A quiet barrier island community, Ormond-by-the-Sea has an often uncrowded red sand beach and is near three beautiful state parks. Once a busy ferry stop on the Colorado River, today Yuma is a tourist and "snowbird" destination that comes alive during the winter months.
Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
Straddling the Myakka River and adjacent to the Myakka State Forest in southwestern Florida, North Port is leafy and residential. On the northern shores of the stunning Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington, Port Angeles has an economy based on tourism and is a gateway to Olympic National Park.
Wooded and well manicured, Matthews has a cute downtown, a farmers' market and fun festivals.
Tucked in a valley in north central Arkansas' lush, rural Ozark Mountains, Mountain View started in 1878 and has a somewhat touristy vibe. It is known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World" and is a popular place with music lovers from around the region.
A quiet, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks. Steeped in history, pretty Gloucester is along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and overflows with stately homes.
Thayne, once called "Little Switzerland," is on the northern edge of Wyoming's Star Valley, a scenic area within 100 miles of Yellowstone National Park.
In a beautiful setting, artsy Bend is a cosmopolitan hamlet with a fun downtown, a varied cultural menu and a bounty of outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! Pilot Butte Village: a Wooded 55+ Community in Bend, Oregon Pilot Butte Village is a cozy, gated 55+ community nestled amid tall pine trees in east central Bend, Oregon. It sits on seven acres and has 40 duplexes and fourplexes for lease.
Jacksonville, a quirky little town, is nestled in a scenic land of lakes, rivers and forests between the Cascade Mountains and the Klamath Mountains in rugged southwestern Oregon. It got its start when gold was discovered in 1851. This cozy but growing burg is burrowed deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains in scenic western North Carolina. It is only minutes from the French Broad River, and its lifeblood is summer tourism and a small, Baptist liberal arts college, Mars Hill University (1,400 students).
With marshes and inlets on one side and the beaches of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island not far away, Yulee is growing but still has a country flavor. Almost completely surrounded by water and wilderness, Goodland sits on the outlying eastern edge of Marco Island in southwestern Florida. The only way to get here is via State Road 92/892 or by boat. The first
white man to see this gorgeous stretch along
Oregon's rugged northern coast was William Clark
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in
1806. He wrote that it was "the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless
ocean."
Just east of Phoenix and west of the McDowell Mountains in southcentral Arizona, upscale, cosmopolitan Scottsdale bustles with activity. Although it is technically a suburb of Phoenix, it has its own distinct identity and amenities, and it offers a richly textured quality of life. Villa Monterey: a Reasonably Priced 55+ Community in Scottsdale, Arizona
A quiet 55+ town home and condominium community in Scottsdale, Arizona, Villa Monterey was built in the 1960s and has nearly 800 residences.
Lush and vibrant, Ann Arbor boasts excellent cultural amenities, a youthful vibe, safe neighborhoods and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Peaceful Geneva, an unincorporated town in northeastern Florida, is proud of its history and its rural roots. Although it is only 12 miles from Orlando, it is surrounded by water and wilderness and feels a world away. In fact, it is sometimes called "the lost world" by locals. Both the big and little Econlockhatchee Rivers flow nearby. This pretty city of lakes is about 30 minutes north of Orlando in northeastern Florida. It started out as a citrus farming center and began to grow as Walt Disney World expanded in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Lake Mary is a semi-rural bedroom community known for its high quality of life.
The Forest: a Secluded 55+ Community in Lake Mary, Florida
Nestled beneath a canopy of tall hardwood and pine trees in Lake Mary, Florida, The Forest is an aptly named 55+ manufactured home community. The densely wooded landscape is a quiet, private oasis not far from shopping and eateries.
Murray is home to Murray State University and just 20 minutes from Land Between the Lakes, a huge national recreation area. Nestled on a three mile long barrier island on the southern North Carolina coast, Sunset Beach is a quiet place with a white sand beach, five golf courses and reasonably priced housing. Is it a great place to retire?
A mellow lakeside town, Groveland has a country quality and is peppered with weeping willows and palm trees.
On the northern shore of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille and surrounded by blue-hued mountains, rugged, trendy Sandpoint boasts a nice downtown, fun festivals and a bounty of outdoor recreation. Is it also a great place to retire?
Outside of booming Phoenix in southern Arizona, dusty, friendly Wickenburg sits on the banks of the Hassayampa River and was founded by gold miners.
North Redington Beach, Florida A low key oceanfront town, North Redington Beach is packed with condos, hotels and single family waterfront homes. The mile-long, sugar white beach is the town highlight. Gull Harbor: a 55+ Condo Community in North Redington Beach, Florida This established low maintenance community is half way between the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay and boasts water views. Outside of Minneapolis, Northfield is a cute college town with a bounty of festivals and fairs.
Lumber Creek: a Master Planned Community in Yulee, Florida New single level homes, a pastoral quality and proximity to Amelia Island make this development popular with baby boomers. With an invigorating setting on southern Oregon's rugged southern coast, Gold Beach is popular with fishermen, outdoor lovers and retirees. Turtle Creek: a Cute Cottage Community in Gold Beach, Oregon
Beach access, a fishing guide, classes and little homes for sale and lease are Turtle Creek highlights. A balmy, affluent beach community along State Road A1A in southeastern Florida, Highland Beach is framed by lush vegetation, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Wedged between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, little Briny Breezes is a mobile home park and an incorporated town with an oceanfront beach.
Sleepy Fallbrook is nestled in rolling hills and orchards and is known for its avocados. In fact, it is known as the "Avocado Capital of the World." Bordered by water on three sides, the Gulf of Mexico town of Pass Christian is called "Pass" by locals and was chartered in 1848. It was the site of the South's first yacht club and has some of the region's finest oyster reefs. Not far from the largest research park in the country, Holly Springs is a fast growing town with an educated population. In Depth Review: Lexington, a quaint Shenandoah Valley town, boasts historic architecture, a scenic setting and a collegiate vibe. It is a great retirement spot!
Outside of Nashville, amiable Murfreesboro exudes a quiet country charm. It is also a shopping hub, full of friendly folks and home to Middle Tennessee State University. It is, in fact, a great retirement spot!
On a "Forgotten Coast," Eastpoint, a secluded little village, sits next to a state forest, across from a barrier island and close to pristine beaches. One of Arkansas' largest cities, Conway is home to three colleges and close to lake recreation.
Stimulating, youthful Amherst sits in a region known as Happy Valley in rural western Massachusetts and may be one of the most progressive places in the United States. Friendly and picturesque, Fairhope boasts a waterfront locale, safe neighborhoods and a gentle spirit. It is a great retirement spot!
On the banks of the Colorado River, comfortable Marble Falls is in the middle of the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes Chain. Along Interstate 10 in Arizona's southeastern corner, Benson is about 40 minutes southeast of Tucson. The Southern Pacific Railroad came to this Chihuahuan Desert outpost in 1880 and brought with it cattlemen, shopkeepers and a few scallywags. Tiny Edisto Beach is at the mouth of the Edisto River on the southern South Carolina coast and is a quiet seaside community with four miles of pristine beach. Dusty, understated and chic, Tubac boasts art galleries, good restaurants, cobbled streets, interesting home styles and an unhurried pace. It is a great retirement spot!
In lush western South Carolina, charming Aiken is known for its thriving equestrian culture, bounty of golf courses, stately homes and lanquid pace. It is a great retirement spot!
Sleepy Safety Harbor is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its quaint downtown, safe neighborhoods, pretty waterfront setting and friendly neighbors. It is a great retirement spot!
A classic beach town, Miramar is known for its mesmerizing turquoise waters and miles of sugar white sand.
Seascape: a Gated Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida
A golf course with water views and a wide range of housing types, some for sale in the $100,000s, are Seascape highlights. With forested mountains
to the east, the ocean to the west and the
mighty Rogue River to the north, Gold Beach is
in an invigorating setting on southern Oregon's
rugged coast. It started out as a placer
gold mining encampment but today is popular with
fishermen, outdoor lovers and retirees. Leafy Belle Isle completely surrounds Lake Conway and boasts plenty of opportunities for water recreation. A Phoenix urban/suburban village, Ahwatukee has been called the "World's Largest Cul de Sac" and has a trendy vibe. A quiet town on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud has nicely tended neighborhoods and a cute downtown with brick streets. Twin Lakes: a 55+ Lakeside Community in St. Cloud, Florida
This stylish 55+ community is gated and has single family homes, town homes, a large clubhouse and direct water access. Nestled in heart-stopping scenery at the southern end of beautiful Puget Sound, laid back Olympia is Washington's capital city and is about an hour south of Seattle and 20 minutes west of U.S. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a training and mobilization base for the Army and Air Force. In a pretty region, welcoming Walla Walla is known for its quaint downtown, wine culture and gentle ambiance. It is a great retirement spot!
Between Charlotte and Atlanta, suburban Mauldin is in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a pleasant, well managed place East of the Snowy Mountains, Laramie sits under a looming sky on a grassy, windswept plain and is home to the University of Wyoming. Home to a sizeable musician population, Hernando has been landing on "best places to live" lists in the last few years. Originally the gateway between the U.S. and the Texas frontier, Nacogdoches is in leafy East Texas and is the home of Stephen F. Austin State University (13,000 students). It is the oldest town in Texas, dating from the early-1700s, and it has had the flags of nine countries fly over it. Outside of Las Vegas and not too far from the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Henderson is booming and has a newish feeling about it. It brims with master planned communities and has plenty of shopping, golf courses and restaurants. Is it a great place to retire? Pretty valley views, a large clubhouse and a good selection of single family homes and attached homes bring people to this 55+ community. In the wooded foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, Maryville boasts affordable living, safe neighborhoods, a beautiful library and outstanding outdoor recreation just down the road. It is a great place to retire?
On Florida's southwestern coast, beautiful Naples is known for its "beachy" resort ambiance, high-end shopping venues, golf courses and sugar white beach. Is it a great place to retire? Heritage Bay: a Gated Golf and Tennis Community in Naples, Florida
Popular with baby boomers, stylish Heritage Bay has condos, coach homes, single family homes, three golf courses, tennis courts and a wide range of prices.
With sugar white sand, emerald waters and tall, gleaming beachside condos, Orange Beach looks like a picture postcard and is a favorite vacation destination. Is it also a great place to retire?
Tiny Edisto Beach is at the mouth of the Edisto River on the southern South Carolina coast. Once populated by rice, indigo, and cotton plantations, today it is a quiet seaside residential community. Bounded by the San Rafael Hills and the Angeles National Forest in southern California, Pasadena has not only a famous parade but tree-lined neighborhoods, golf courses, theaters, a fun Old Town and more. A working fishing village and deep water seaport on the Florida Panhandle, Carrabelle has a nice beach and an Old Florida vibe.
Kapaa is on the eastern shore of Kauai and is the largest town on the island. For much of its history, it was an agricultural hub. Located on the north shore of Maui, which is often called the best island in the world, laid back Paia dates from 1896. For much of its history, it was dependent on the sugar cane industry and was home to sugar cane workers.
Set in a valley in pretty southeastern Ohio, Athens is surrounded by rolling hills and is home to lively Ohio University.
Under sunny blue skies in southern Arizona, unincorporated Green Valley is a retirement oasis with reasonable costs and a large recreation non-profit organization, GVR, that manages a full range of services and amenities, including 16 or more recreation/social facilities, dozens of clubs, hobby shops, classes, trips, concerts and volunteer groups. Safe, bohemian and lively, Austin boasts a bounty of great restaurants, fun festivals, museums, art events, football games, an OLLI and much more. It is a great retirement spot! Heritage at Vizcaya: New 55+ Homes Outside of Austin, Texas
Round Rock is a nice Austin suburb and the site of the new 55+ single family home community of Heritage at Vizcaya. Amenities include a swimming pool, nature trails and a bark park.
Rockledge borders the Indian River on Florida's Space Coast and was a winter resort before making room for Kennedy Space Center employees.
On a high grassy plain in north central Colorado, Louisville is an casual, affluent city that boasts sweeping views of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Peaceful Ocean Springs sits on Mississippi's east Gulf Coast and began as the first permanent settlement in French Louisiana in 1699.
Latest Short Review: A wholesome, fast-growing town, Suwanee is in northern Georgia and has an inviting downtown, a large community garden, plenty of recreation venues and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Tucked in a peaceful valley and surrounded by mushroom farms, Kennett Square is steeped in history. Its leafy neighborhoods are stocked with prim homes. The downtown is cute and touristy. The annual Mushroom Festival is a must-attend event. Is Kennett Square a great place to retire?
This tiny South Brunswick island town is sandwiched between Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island on the southern North Carolina coast. It is known for its oceanfront beaches and a dramatic bridge that rises over the Intracoastal Waterway and connects the island with the mainland. Alachua got its start in the late-1880s, and the origins of the town's name are open to debate. Alachua may be a Native American term for "rolling prairie." If so, it is an apt description for the land surrounding this small town.
This cozy seaside village rests in the shadow of Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain on the scenic northern Oregon coast. It is one of three towns, including Nehalem and Neahkanie, that are within a nine mile radius of each other and often lumped together for marketing purposes.
Along the Colorado River high in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado, beautiful Glenwood Springs is touristy, collegiate and laid back. Outdoor recreation abounds, but the town is best known for it theraputic waters and has the world's largest outdoor hot springs pool. Glenwood Springs is a great retirement spot! On the rugged Oregon coast, Florence is a weathered, touristy hamlet with a cute downtown, uncrowded beaches and a magical hobbit trail. Is it a great place to retire?
Spread across the Point Brown Peninsula on Washington's scenic mid-coast, salty Ocean Shores was once a Hollywood jetsetter hangout and today is a weekend tourist destination.
Amiable Abilene started out as a cattle shipping hub in the 1880s. It sits along Interstate 20 in the red, flat land of parched West Central Texas, 150 miles west of Forth Worth. A rather isolated place, it has a mix of military personnel, college students and families. Not too long ago, Yulee, located 25 miles northeast of Jacksonville in northeastern Florida, was just a sleepy rural hamlet. Today, it is a fast-growing collection of new subdivisions, but it still retains much of its country character. Lumber Creek: a Master Planned Community with a Pastoral Quality in Yulee, Florida
Outside of Jacksonville in northeastern Florida, Yulee is the site of Lumber Creek, a new and growing planned community with a variety of home builders, including Adams Homes, Maronda Homes and LGI Homes.
Florentine Estates: a Verdant 55+ Community in Florence, Oregon
Florence is on the Oregon coast and the site of Florentine Estates, a gated 55+ manufactured home community spread across 180 lushly landscaped acres. Properties are well kept and nestled beneath tall pine trees that give each homeowner a sense of privacy. In the heart of the Uwharrie Mountains in the middle of North Carolina, Asheboro started out in 1780 and has in recent years been recognized for its attractive downtown, historic preservation and good government. Cresswind: Brand New 55+ Homes in Peachtree City, Georgia
Cresswind is an attactive new 55+ single family home community in Peachtree City. It spreads across 400 rolling acres and will soon boast a swimming pool, tennis courts, an outdoor grilling area and more.
With an idyllic coastal setting, the little working fishing village of Southport boasts marinas, salt-laden air and a well-worn waterfront dock.
Named for the large number of lakes within its borders,
pretty, residential Land O' Lakes is at the northern edge of the Tampa metropolitan area.
New Port Richey is about 30 miles to the west
and has a beach park.
The Groves: a 55+ Community in Land O' Lakes, Florida
The Groves is an established 55+ community with 754 single family homes, patio homes and town homes. Construction finished in 2007, with numerous builders putting their mark here. The development spreads across 445 acres, 40% of which are devoted to open space.
Captain Cook is a peaceful place with a smattering of shops and B&Bs, a grocery store and a gas station. Kealakekua Bay's calm, shallow waters, large coral reef and diverse underwater life make it a popular place with snorkelers and SCUBA divers. With the Rockies as a gorgeous backdrop, Loveland boasts safe neighborhoods, plenty of open space, a burgeoning arts community and more.
Is it a great place to retire? Along the Southern California coast, Ventura is a seductive city known for its clean beaches, nearly perfect climate and wide array of things to do. It also has a funky downtown, eclectic architecture and a lively boardwalk.
Is it a great place to retire?
Suburban Altamonte Springs is north of Orlando in east central Florida. People choose to live here primarily for its low cost of living and central location. The white sands of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach are just an hour away. Nestled amid lakes and named after a citrus titan, Doctor Phillips is a comfortable town with a good reputation. An authentic Victorian mountain town, Manitou Springs has a gentle soul, a funky vibe, interesting homes and a beautiful setting. It is a great retirement spot! Nestled in beautiful mountain scenery and once the stomping grounds of frontiersman Daniel Boone, growing Boone is home to Appalachian State University and has a nice downtown, fun festivals, academic events, outstanding outdoor recreation and more. It is a great retirement spot!
Originally a stagecoach stop on the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike, comfortable White House is along Interstate 65 outside of Nashville. It is a rural residential place, peppered with tall trees, green spaces and nice homes. Although its history dates back to Spanish missionaries, beautiful Carmel, also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, may be best known for its rich artistic traditions. It sits on the Monterey Peninsula between Los Angeles and San Francisco and is hard to resist.
Pacific Meadows: an Affordable 62+ Community in Carmel, California
On the bluffs west of tantalizing Carmel, California, Pacific Meadows is an apartment community with a focus on affordable living in a very expensive part of the country. All residents must be at least age 62 and meet certain income requirements.
Outside of Atlanta, leafy Athens is known as the "Classic City" and is home to the University of Georgia. With a lively atmosphere, a fun downtown, strong senior programs, a rich cultural scene and stately architecture, it is a great retirement spot!
Surfside Beach, South Carolina An easygoing oceanfront town, Surfside Beach is on the Grand Stand and has two miles of white sand with 36 access points. Surfside Beach Club: a Gated Community in Surfside Beach, South Carolina Dotted with ponds and pretty vegetation, nearly half of Surfside Beach Club's single story homes back to water. Outside of Phoenix, Gilbert lands on "best places to live" lists and boasts plentiful shopping, good eateries and safe neighborhoods. Trilogy at Power Ranch: a 55+ Enclave in Gilbert, Arizona
Part of a larger, all ages development, Power Ranch has single story homes, a large clubhouse and a golf course. A major tourist destination, Destin sits on a peninsula and is known for its stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters. "A village in a forest overlooking a white sand beach," beautiful Carmel has a history reaching back to the Spanish missionaries.
Benson is in southeastern Arizona and is a gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park, home to two and a half miles of 50,000 year old underground passageways.
In scenic northwestern Washington, Bellingham is 25 miles south of the Canadian border and is nestled along beautiful Bellingham Bay. It is in the shadow of 10,871 foot tall Mt. Baker and is sturdy, green and home to outdoor oriented people. Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
A casual seaside town, Ocean Isle Beach retains much of its original 1950s character, thanks to its neo-traditional clapboard houses.
Ocean Ridge Plantation: an Elegant Community in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Gated, secluded and secure, Ocean Ridge Plantation is an award-winning community with five golf courses and much more. Named for the deer that once grazed nearby, Deerfield Beach has a long beach, a boardwalk and a busy downtown. Century Village: a Large 55+ Community in Deerfield Beach, Florida
Century Village is a reasonably priced condominium development with many swimming pools, a golf course and more. Known as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, Magnolia Springs brims with wisteria, camellias, azaleas and has its mail delivered by boat. A small, upscale mountain hamlet, Evergreen has a lively downtown, an established theater company and homes that meld into the hills.
Thirty-three hundred feet above sea level, Kingman (population 30,000) sits in a valley between two mountain ranges at the edge of the Mojave Desert. It has more than doubled in the last 10 to 20 years and is particularly popular with retirees.
Nestled on the shores of tranquil, man-made Lake Chatuge in pretty northern Georgia, Hiawassee is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and two national forests. Known to locals as the "Edge of America," Folly Beach was once home to pirates but today is a quirky beach hamlet popular with surfers and vacationers.
On Florida's Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is a fishing and beach resort town famous for its relaxed ambiance and powdery, white sand beaches. Unassuming Jensen Beach, once the "Pineapple Capital of the World," is today known for its peaceful way of life, sea turtles and excellent fishing.
Located between Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands, little Chokoloskee is considered one of Florida's last frontiers.
Set amid rolling vineyards in the heart of Southern California's wine country, Temecula is known for its Spanish influences and trendy, walkable Old Town. In northern Idaho's Palouse, a striking agricultural landscape, down-to-earth Moscow boasts a gentle spirit and a mellow way of life. Home to the University of Idaho, it has an authentic downtown, a good senior center, fun festivals and a strong community spirit. It is a great retirement spot! Known for its beautiful beaches and blue-green waters, Jupiter boasts swaying palm trees, glistening pastel-colored buildings and an abundance of golf courses.
Nestled in northwestern Arkansas' beautiful Ozark Mountains, easygoing Fayetteville is rural, friendly and home to the University of Arkansas. Unhurried and glistening, Melbourne Beach sits on a barrier island and is known for its beautiful stretches of white sand beaches. Leafy and welcoming, Dawsonville is outside of Atlanta, not far from the North Georgia mountains, and is the site of the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival. Monument sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, about 20 miles north of Colorado Springs and 10 miles north of the Air Force Academy. For years it was just a sleepy spot along I-25, but now it is a booming, affluent bedroom community. Springtown is named for the cold springs that once bubbled from nearby hillsides and today is an affordable, fast-growing commuter town. Originally platted in the 1800s, easygoing Alva straddles the Caloosahatchee River and is at the western edge of the Okeechobee Waterway in southwestern Florida. Less than an hour from Fort Myers and Cape Coral, the town stretches over 18 square miles and has fought to retain its rural character.
Cascades at River Hall: A Peaceful 55+ Community in Alva, Florida
Alva is the site of Cascades at River Hall, a gated 55+ single family home community. It is part of the larger master planned development of River Hall and was started in the early-2000s.
A sleepy town along the Indian River Lagoon, Sebastian is home to the country's first wildlife refuge and most biologically diverse estuary. People live here, too.
New Bern is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region where the Neuse River and Trent River converge. Often overlooked by tourists as they hurry on their way to the Outer Banks, it is reasonably priced, peaceful and growing. It is a great retirement spot!
About half way between San Diego and San Francisco, mellow, "beachy" Morro Bay became a summer vacation destination at the turn of the 20th century. After World War II, it also became a fishing village and still is one today. Tucked between the Piedmont and the Atlantic Coastal Plain in north central North Carolina, leafy Wake Forest is part of the vibrant Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan Triangle and has doubled in size in the last 10 years. An "All American City," Pembroke Pines is known for its serene atmosphere, palm lined boulevards and canal laced neighborhoods. Park Place: a Large, Gated 55+ Community in Pembroke Pines, Florida
This lush 55+ community has condominiums for sale and is surrounded by a golf course. On a densely forested peninsula, Tega Cay started as a gated community in the 1970s and remains suburban and relaxed today.
Just east of sprawling Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Lake Barkley State Resort Park in southwestern Kentucky, Cadiz is a quiet country town nestled in a landscape of wooded hills, farmland and low stone walls. Is it a great place to retire?
Although it is not far from a large city, Geneva is surrounded by water and wilderness and feels a world away. Built in a rimrock canyon carved by the Yellowstone River, friendly Billings was once a Wild West town but today boasts a symphony, craft breweries and other manifestations of sophistication. Nestled in pretty western North Carolina, Fletcher sits in hilly terrain and has a country, suburban vibe. Once a bohemian outpost in rugged southeastern Utah, today Moab draws 1.5 million outdoor adventure seekers each year.
Located along Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada Mountain's western foothills, small, rustic Colfax sits between Sacramento, California and Reno, Nevada and is part of California's historic Placer County. Its motto is "Above the Fog, Below the Snow." Beautiful Santa Barbara sits between the Pacific Ocean and the steep Ynez Mountains about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Known as the "American Riviera," it was settled by Spanish missionaries in the late-18th century and today is a mellow, upscale seaside city in a gorgeous setting. Popular with tourists, Santa Barbara still has much of the old California magic. Touristy, laid back St. Pete Beach is known for its beautiful beaches, unspoiled sand dunes and resort hotels. In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greer is growing and has a revitalized town core, historic neighborhoods and an award-winning parks and recreation department.
Along dusty Interstate 35 in central Texas, the charming village of Salado is a diamond in the rough, a hip artists' colony and a weekend getaway. A quaint harbor town on the Neuse River, Oriental is the self-proclaimed "Sailing Capital of North Carolina." Its picturesque marina is stocked with tall masted sloops, schooners and a few powerboats.
River Dunes: a Waterfront Cottage Community in Oriental, North Carolina
With a 28-acre deepwater harbor and a 124-slip marina, River Dunes is a boaters' haven. Properties are cottage-style, and amenities include a large clubhouse, a restuarant, a spa and more. On the Panhandle's Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach is famous for its 27 miles of mezmurizing white powdery beaches and emerald green waters.
Compact, colorful and tucked into Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye, mellow San Pedro is rapidly becoming the country's top tourist destination and is popular with divers and snorkelers. On the southern end of a peninsula of the same name, Merritt Island is near 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the stunning Canaveral National Seashore.
Easygoing and affordable,
Murfreesboro has been growing and exudes a country charm.
It is a great retirement spot! Merritt Island Village: a Low Key Waterfront Community in Merritt Island, Florida
A relaxed place, Merritt Island Village is a 55+ community and has a clubhouse and pastel-colored homes, some of which sit right next to the Banana River.
Reasonably priced and not far from Charlotte, Concord boasts three historic districts and is less than an hour from sprawling Lake Norman, the "island sea" of North Carolina.
Quiet, comfortable and leafy, Watkinsville is close to the University of Georgia and has a nice downtown.
In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greer is growing and has a revitalized town core, historic neighborhoods and an award-winning parks and recreation department. In the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Banner Elk is a vacation destination and has a cute downtown. A booming bedroom community outside of Phoenix, Goodyear is often noted for its "livability" and year-round outdoor recreation. Attractive, friendly Auburn, tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, sits along Interstate 80 about 30 miles north west of Sacramento in north central California. It dates back to the California Gold Rush and is listed as a California Historic Landmark. Along the scenic northern California coast, the compact, walkable town of Arcata is sandwiched between mountains and the northern edge of Humboldt Bay, which is separated from the Pacific Ocean by a barrier island. Originally founded as a timber town in the mid-1800s, today Arcata is the home of Humboldt State University.
Nestled along inlets, islets and the Little Manatee River, Ruskin has a "country" way of life and is a quiet, mellow town.
Perched on the southern tip of L.A. County in Southern California, Avalon is 22 mile southwest of Los Angeles and is the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island. About a mile wide and only reachable by ferry and small plane, it is a beautiful, upscale place. This low key town/master planned community has a country quality, a couple of golf courses, planned events and no HOA fees. Both a barrier island and a beach town, Tybee Island is an idyllic, casual vacation destination with an iconic lighthouse and dramatic sand dunes. Home to Idaho State University, Pocatello is a peaceful city with a nice Old Town, a beautiful performing arts center and nearby outdoor recreation venues. Tucked into beautiful rolling hills, secluded but lively Morgantown is home to West Virginia University and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
Friendly, mellow
Stuart sits on
southeastern Florida's famed Treasure Coast. Once a pirates' lair, today
it has a thriving boating and charter fishing industry and is known as the "Sailfish Capital of
the World."
Monterey Yacht and Country Club: a 55+ Community in Stuart, Florida
Nestled on the banks of St. Lucie River's south fork and the southern tip of Stuart on the southeastern Florida coast, the gated 55+ the Monterey Yacht and Country Club makes its home. It was built in the 1970s and 1980s and has 510 condominiums.
Pros and Cons of a Waterfront Retirement Many people want to retire next to the water, whether it be a river, a lake or the ocean. Here we look at a few of the pros and cons of such a move. Located in north central Florida, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando, mellow, semi-rural Tavares bills itself as "America's Seaplane City." It borders four large lakes and has several smaller ones within town limits.
Royal Harbor: a 55+ Waterfront Community in Tavares, Florida
Royal Harbor is a gated 55+ waterfront community with nearly 800 single family homes. The development was built from the late-1990s to 2008 and sits along the shores of Little Lake Harris.
Trinity is a comfortable, fast-growing census-designated place (master planned development, really) named after the local Christian college, Trinity College of Florida. It is in a rural part of Florida, about 25 miles northwest of Tampa and 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
Heritage Springs: A Large 55+ Community in Trinity, Florida
Trinity is located in west central Florida and is the site of Heritage Springs, an established, gated 55+ community that was constructed during the early-2000s. More than 1,300 residence are divied up between 24 neighborhoods, with the majority having single family homes. The remaining areas have town homes.
A resort community on a barrier island east of North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach is a place where sand, surf and sun are never ending.
The unincorporated beach town of Nokomis is between Sarasota and Venice on Florida's southwestern coast. It reminds many people of what Florida used to be and has a relaxed Gulf Coast vibe. Peaceful Lakeland has a nice downtown, 38 named lakes and a way of life that revolves around the water. Lake James: a Comfortable 55+ Community in Lakeland, Florida
Gated Lake James has a clubhouse, walking paths and single family homes clustered around a lake. On the eastern banks of the Chesapeake Bay, historic Easton has a quaint town center and an established feeling.
Cosmopolitan and lively, Scottsdale is outside of Phoenix and boasts a rich quality of life.
Villa Monterey: a Quiet 55+ Community in Scottsdale, Arizona
Established and gated, Villa Monterey has low maintenance homes, a Southwestern theme and grounds dotted with palm trees and pine trees. Known for its beautiful beaches and blue-green waters, Jupiter is located on Florida's southeastern coast. Downtown Miami is about 90 miles away, and Jupiter is considered one of its northern exurbs.
Jupiter Bay: a Condo Community Popular with "Snowbirds" in Jupiter, Florida
Established in 1982, Jupiter Bay Condominiums is an all ages community in Jupiter, Florida, about 90 miles north of Miami. It is near restaurants, shopping centers, theaters, beaches and Highway 1, which offers easy access to towns north and south.
Sophisticated and understated, Santa Fe is a favorite with artists, historians, musicians, writers, opera lovers and the occasional celebrity, as well as retirees. It is the oldest capital city in the United States and is known for its unique architecture, rich heritage, great restaurants, art galleries and hint of mysticism. It is a great retirement spot! Sandwiched betweeen Tampa Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway on Florida's west central coast, Largo is dotted with lakes and has a bustling downtown. Nearby beaches include Maderia Beach and Redington Beach. Named after its many coconut palms, Coconut Creek has an abundance of parks, gardens, canals and lushly landscaped avenues.
Wynmoor Village: A Gated 55+ Community in Coconut Creek, Florida
Sedate and well-settled, Wynmoor Village is a large 55+ condominium community dotted with palm trees, ponds and fountains. Not far from the Canadian border, Bellingham sits on a beautiful bay in the shadow of Mt. Baker and is home to outdoor oriented people.
On grassy rolling hills under a massive sky in northcentral Colorado, Castle Rock is safe, prosperous and growing fast.
One of Brevard County's oldest seaside communities, the mostly residential town of Melbourne Beach sits on a barrier island. It is bordered by Indialantic on the north, the Indian River Lagoon on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Fair Winds Village: 55+ Waterfront Condos in Nokomis, Florida Fair Winds Village is in Nokomis, Florida and was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is a 55+ condominium community with just 87 units. Along the shores of High Point Lake in hilly north central North Carolina, quiet Jamestown was founded by Quakers in 1816. For several years it was home to the Confederate Arms Factory and had an Underground Railroad stop. Situated in a green landscape of cantaloupe fields and alfalfa crops, quiet Fallon is home to Naval Air Station Fallon, where elite fighter pilots ("top guns") are trained. This inviting Baldwin County town sits on Mobile Bay's eastern shore, and although it was not incorporated until 1993, Spanish Fort has a history that dates back to 1712. It has also doubled in size during the last decade or two. Outside of Phoenix, Gilbert lands on "best places to live" lists and boasts plentiful shopping, good eateries and safe neighborhoods. Power Ranch: an Attractive 55+ Community in Gilbert, Arizona
Part of a larger development, Power Ranch has single story homes, a large clubhouse and a golf course. Inviting Christiansburg is
an easygoing but growing town in the lush rolling
landscape of western Virginia. It started
out in 1792 as a stop along the Great Wilderness
Road.
On North Carolina's northern Outer Banks' island of Roanoke, this secluded waterfront village curves around quiet Shallowbag Bay. It dates from the late 1800s and is named after a Croatan chief who helped the New World's first English colonists. Pirates Cove: a Waterfront Community in Manteo, North Carolina
Pirates Cove is a lovely planned waterfront community on Roanoke Island in Manteo, North Carolina. It has nearly 600 single family homes and condominiums, many for lease and/or for sale, and it is surrounded by deep water canals and Roanoke Sound. This pleasant, racially diverse Lancaster County town is situated on Virginia's Northern Neck, a peninsula that rests between the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay on the state's mid-coast. Kilmarnock was first settled in the mid-1600s, and it feels like an old town.
Weeki Wachee and North Weeki Wachee are essentially one community and are in northwestern Florida at the southern end of the Big Bend region. About an hour north of Tampa, the Weeki Wachee area is just to the east of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, which is adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico.
GlenLakes: a Large Golfing Community in Weeki Wachee, Florida
Glen Lakes is a large, master-planned golf course community in Weeki Wachee, Florida. Construction began in the early 1990s and continues today. At build out, it should have 1,500 single family homes spread across 1,400 lush subtropical acres. Nestled on the Intracoastal Waterway, Port Orange is a pleasant, well-managed city with safe neighborhoods, nice shopping venues, fun festivals, plenty of green spaces and reasonable costs. Is it a great place to retire?
On the Great Plains of southeastern South Dakota, Sioux Falls, well-managed, clean and safe, has a nice downtown and plenty of amenities. This tiny,
quirky East Bay town is in a lush canyon 30
miles north east of San Francisco and is part of the
scenic Carquinez Strait shoreline.
It started out in 1879 as a bustling ferry
landing but saw its population diminish when bridges were built and the city was bypassed. Callawassie Island, South Carolina Callawassie Island is a barrier island off of the southern South Carolina coast. It sits in Port Royal Sound and is surrounded by tidal creeks and salt marshes. Surrounded
by gently rolling hills and flat farm land in
rural western Kentucky, Murray is a pleasant
place and home to Murray State University
(11,000 students). It is also just 20 minutes from Land Between the
Lakes, a huge national recreation park. Known for it mystical red rock formations and seductive light, Sedona is a spiritual vortex with beautiful homes. It is also a great retirement spot!
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
On the southern North Carolina coast, the small, casual seaside village of Ocean Isle Beach sits on a barrier island about 10 miles from the South Carolina border. Not much was here until the late-1950s when a developer bought the island and incorporated it into a town.
Ocean Ridge Plantation: A Secluded Golf Community in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
On the southern North Carolina coast, Ocean Isle Beach sits on a barrier island. It is here, in this tranquil location, that beautiful, secluded Ocean Ridge Plantation started out in 1990. It has five golf courses and a private beach club.
For three days in early July, 1863, Union and Confederate soldiers fought a bloody battle in and around the little town of Gettysburg in bucolic southcentral Pennsylvania. The battle became the turning point of the Civil War, and Gettysburg forever became linked to it. Carrabelle is a remote, working fishing village on the eastern Florida Panhandle.
It dates from 1877 and sits at the convergence of three rivers and the Gulf of Mexico.
Surrounded by water and state forests,
Carrabelle exudes an old fashioned Florida vibe but is growing quickly, doubling in size during the last decade. Carrabelle Beach RV Resort: a Resort Near the Beach in Carrabelle, Florida
A working fishing village and seaport on the Florida Panhandle, Carrabelle is also home to Carrabelle Beach RV Resort, a relaxed resort with a variety of long term and short term rental options. An RV is not required to stay here. At 3,300 feet above sea level, Cottonwood boasts a reasonable cost of living, dry air and safe neighborhoods.
Is it a great place to retire?
On the Greens: Colorful 55+ Homes in Cottonwood, Arizona
In Cottonwood, Arizona, On the Greens is a pretty 55+ community with manufactured homes that look site built. Most properties were constructed within the last 10 to 12 years. New and previously owned residences are for sale.
A pretty town, Cape Coral boasts 400 miles of canals and a soothing ambiance. Bays and sounds are all around, and opportunities for boating and fishing abound.
Carolina Shores, North Carolina
Close to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Shores is popular with retirees and is a loose confederation of six well-manicured master planned communities, most of which have their own amenities. Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy Hawi has a cute downtown with colorful, renovated plantation buildings.
Hugging the rugged outcroppings of the Blue Hill peninsula on Maine's central coast, this charming, weathered waterfront town has a history that reaches back to 1762. A friendly town in a pretty but rugged valley, Spring Creek is a comfortable hamlet between Reno and Salt Lake City and started out as a planned community in the 1970s.
Picturesque Solomons is a historic waterfront resort with a mature demographic, a lovely boardwalk, the Calvert Maritime Museum and more. A quiet barrier island community, Ormond-by-the-Sea has an often uncrowded red sand beach and reasonably priced housing.
Swaddled by mountain peaks and national forest in spectacular northwestern Colorado, Breckenridge is cute, trendy and touristy. On the northeastern Florida coast, Atlantic Beach is a relaxed place where flip flops and shorts are standard attire.
Fleet Landing: a 55+ Community in Atlantic Beach, Florida
A community that emphasizes six dimensions of healthy living, Fleet Landing also has an aquatic center, an art studio, tennis courts, croquet grounds, a serenity room, a library and more.
In the sleepy coastal village of Little River, the oldest town along the Grand Strand, life moves at a gentle pace, and playing in the water is a common activity.
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis sits in a pretty valley surrounded by forests and hills and boasts a vibrant atmosphere with a "granola" vibe.
Mostly to the east of the Intracoastal Waterway and just west of lively Myrtle Beach, Socastee is growing quickly. Originally a stagecoach stop on the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike, comfortable White House is along Interstate 65 outside of Nashville. It is a rural residential place, peppered with tall trees, green spaces and nice homes. Founded on the shores of Lake Nicaragua in 1524, Granada boasts Colonial architecture, a beautiful town square and a bounty of parks, making it a favorite with tourists and expatriates alike. Tarpon Springs started out as a winter resort in the late 1870s and was named after the fish that haunts its waters. It sits along a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, about 25 miles northwest of Tampa, and it grew up around Greek culture. In fact, this waterfront city has the largest concentration of Greek Americans in the United States.
Santos Isle: 55+ Homes in Tarpon Springs, Florida Santos Isle is a new 55+ apartment community in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It is comprised of colorful three story buildings and is in a quiet neighborhood about two miles inland from the water.
Safe, quiet and relatively
affordable, Venice is along the southeastern
Florida coast. Is it a great place to
retire?
Once home to pirates, rum runners and sea captains, this waterfront hamlet is now popular with history lovers, romantics, water aficionados and retirees. A cozy seaside village, Manzanita rests in the shadow of Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain on the scenic northern Oregon coast and has a cute downtown. Spanish Fort sits across the bay from Mobile on Mobile Bay's eastern shore and has a history that dates back to 1712. Attractive Boerne (pronounced "Bernie") is 30 miles north west of San Antonio in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Settled by German free thinkers, it retains an independent attitude along with many of its original structures.
Terraces at Cibolo: Cottage Style 55+ Apartments in Boerne, Texas
Terraces at Cibolo is a Boerne, Texas a 55+ apartment community with cottage style homes. It is also pet-friendly.
Twenty-six miles northeast
of Orlando in northeastern Florida, DeBary is a pleasant community
bordered by Lake Monroe, the St. John's River
and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State
Park It is named after Frederick deBary, a
prosperous wine merchant who settled
here in 1871.
Tucked between the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon, Port St. Lucie is a mellow city with safe neighborhoods, reasonably priced housing and plenty of water recreation. Is it a great place to retire?
King's Lake: a Leafy 55+ Community in DeBary, Florida King's Lake is a leafy, low key 55+ manufactured home community in DeBary, Florida. A little more than 200 properties are here, tucked along quiet lanes and cul de sacs.
An old fashioned charm, a mellow way
of life and a lush landscape are Hilo highlights. It is a great
retirement spot!
Flagler Beach started out as a sleepy fishing village. Today, it has a funky, mellow vibe and is often overlooked by tourists and vacationers as they head to Daytona and points farther south. Is it a great place to retire? Quiet Apollo Beach is not far from Tampa and has canal-laced neighborhoods, good seafood restaurants, a manatee festival and more. Southshore Falls: a Handsome 55+ Community in Apollo Beach, Florida
This development has single family homes and attached homes, ponds, canals, a putting green and tropical landscaping. Outside of Atlanta and well manicured, Woodstock is fast-growing with a nice downtown, a farmers' market and nearby lake recreation. Nestled in Idaho's scenic Panhandle, Post Falls sits along the Spokane River and boasts safe neighborhoods and nearby lake recreation. Dotted with open space, lakes and canals, Palm Beach Gardens is known for its many golf courses and gated commuities. West of town, the Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area is open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Beautiful, upscale Sonoma is the center of California's wine country and is tucked in a rolling landscape of hills, farmland and vineyards.
Youngsville got its start as a French Acadian farming settlement in the early-1800s and retains a country quality even today. Just 18 miles north of downtown Miami on the southeastern Florida coast, Aventura is a posh, high density city sandwiched between Biscayne Boulevard and the Stranaham River. To the east of the River is the barrier island community of Sunny Isles Beach. Beyond that is the open ocean.
Point East: a Gated 55+ Waterfront Community in Aventura, Florida
Point East, a gated 55+ waterfront condominium community, sits on a lake peninsula in central Aventura, Florida. It is comprised of about 30 buildings, each six stories tall, many of which are only separated from the water by a small expanse of grass.
Located on Folly Island just south east of Charleston on South Carolina's southern coast, Folly Beach is known to locals as the Edge of America. It was once home to pirates and bounty hunters but today is a quirky beach hamlet popular with surfers and vacationers. North of Tampa, Hudson is on Florida's central Gulf Coast. Once a fishing and shrimping community, these days the town is popular with bargain-seeking "snowbirds," sun-worshipping vacationers and nudists. Quiet, safe and
prosperous, Palm City got its
start in the early part of the 20th-century.
It is
located along the St. Lucie River in
southeastern Florida, and for many years it was an agricultural center with
citrus farms and small ranches. An unassuming place just across from the white sands of Navarre Beach, Navarre has relatively new housing and a small but quaint downtown, with ice cream shops, cafes, bookstores and other retailers. Is it a great place to retire?
Santa Rosa RV Resort: a Waterfront RV Community in Navarre, Florida
A seasonal RV resort community, Santa Rosa has a waterfront location, tropical landscaping, a heated swimming pool, a fenced dog park and amazing views.
Longboat Key is the location of Gulfshore of Longboat Key, a very casual, established 55+ mobile home community. Amenities consist of a swimming pool, a small marina, a private beach and a clubhouse with a library.
Spread over a barrier island along Florida's west central coast, beautiful Longboat Key lies between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is heavily developed, mellow and known for its stunning white-sand beaches.
On North Carolina's Inner Banks, Oriental is a quaint harbor town on the Neuse River as the river becomes part of Pamlico Sound. This engaging little community is the self-proclaimed "Sailing Capital of North Carolina," and sailing is a way of life.
Sometimes called the Sixth Borough, stylish Boca Raton is known for its shopping venues, gated neighborhoods, pastel-colored buildings and lush parks.
Just 18 miles north of downtown Miami on the southeastern Florida coast, Aventura is a posh, high density city sandwiched between Biscayne Boulevard and the Stranaham River. To the east of the River is the barrier island community of Sunny Isles Beach. Beyond that is the open ocean.
Point East: a Gated 55+ Waterfront Community in Aventura, Florida
Point East, a gated 55+ waterfront condominium community, sits on a lake peninsula in central Aventura, Florida. It is comprised of about 30 buildings, each six stories tall, many of which are only separated from the water by a small expanse of grass.
With its understated elegance, safe, prim neighborhoods, slight collegiate vibe and rich history, Williamsburg beckons. It is a great retirement spot!
Winter Garden, a pleasant town known for its cute downtown, boasts leafy neighborhoods, a fun farmers' market, a good parks system and more. Attractive Keller, just outside of
Dallas/Fort Worth is safe, well managed and growing. Is it a great
place to retire?
The Grand Strand on the eastern edge of South Carolina is a 60-mile stretch of real estate famous for its wide white beaches, golf courses, shopping venues, dinner theaters, theme parks, nightclubs and restaurants. A dozen resort towns are located within the Strand, and Myrtle Beach is the largest. Hyde Park: a Low Key 55+ Community in Winter Garden, FL
A lush 55+ manufactured home community, Hyde Park is shaded by palm trees, oak trees, fruit trees and pine trees. Ponds and lakes dot the grounds. The quiet little town of Lake Waccamaw is on the northern edge of oval-shaped, 9,000-acre Lake Waccamaw. Large residences, many of which are second homes or vacation homes, sit along the water. A low key oceanfront town, North Redington Beach is packed with condos, hotels and single family waterfront homes. The mile-long, sugar white beach is the town highlight. Gull Harbor: Reasonably Priced 55+ Condos in North Redington Beach, FL
An established 55+ condominium community that sits about half way between the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay, Gull Harbor features condos for sale and for lease. On Oregon's rugged central coast, Newport boasts a picturesque marina, art deco architecture from the 1920s and 1930s and plenty of nautical character. Hillsville is in
lush, rural southwestern Virginia, less than 20 minutes from the North Carolina border and about 90 minutes from
Roanoke. It has long been supported by
agriculture and is the Carroll County seat.
Garden City is situated along South Carolina's northeastern coast, about eight miles south of Myrtle Beach, and is a mellow, unincorporated community known for having one of the best beaches in the state. Pleasant
Goose Creek is only 10 miles from North Charleston,
which is only seven miles inland from Charleston on
the southern South Carolina
coast. Not established as a town until 1961, Goose Creek
is primarily suburban but has a U.S. Navy
presence. Located on a bluff
above the May River on South Carolina's southern
coast, Bluffton was built by wealthy plantation
owners seeking a place to escape the summer
heat. It became a booming steamboat port
but then suffered after both the Civil War and the Great
Depression. Tucked in the mountains of northern Georgia, Blue Ridge is a tourist destination and is becoming a popular retirement spot.
Nestled in the colorful Texas Hill Country, beckons with its river Culture, lively cultural scene, casual way of life and friendly residents. It is a great retirement spot! Low cost living, a gentle pace and nearby lake recreation are what bring people to Smyrna, Tennessee. It is a great retirement spot!
A quaint, high-altitude community, Buffalo is often called the "Mayberry of the West" and is tucked along Clear Creek at the foot of the rugged Big Horn Mountains. It is also not far from the "Hole in the Wall" where outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out in the late-19th century. Is it a great place to retire? Nestled on the Intracoastal Waterway, Port Orange is a pleasant, well-managed city with safe neighborhoods, nice shopping venues, fun festivals, plenty of green spaces and reasonable costs. Is it a great place to retire?
Once a fishing and shrimping community, today Hudson is popular with bargain-seeking "snowbirds," sun-worshiping vacationers and nudists. On a high desert plateau in western Colorado, unassuming Grand Junction has a mix of outdoor types, families, college kids and retirees. Touristy Bar Harbor sits on a scenic, rock-bound coast and boasts breathtaking views, a darling downtown and a rich maritime culture. Walden Ridge is a flat mountain ridge that marks the end of the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee. Upon the ridge sits Signal Mountain, a town with a country feeling and a kind of mountain mystique. When people refer to the Tri-Cities in Tennessee, they are talking about Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport. Located in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the very northeastern corner of the state, each of these towns is a simple place with a friendly reputation. Located in
eastern South Carolina, comfortable Red Hill is
a quiet but fast growing unincorporated town
about ten miles inland from Myrtle Beach. Chandler is a comfortable bedroom community about 20 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix in south central Arizona. It blends in with Mesa, Tempe and Gilbert to the north and west and has more than doubled in size during the last couple of decades. Sun Lakes: 55+ Homes Outside of Chandler, Arizona
Sun Lakes is a group of five 55+ neighborhoods on the south side of Chandler, Arizona. It was built from 1972 to the mid-2000s and has nearly 6,700 residences. This beautiful, balmy incorporated village spreads across 2.2 square miles of mainland and island. Burrowed between two waterways, Tequesta is part of the Jupiter Inlet on the southeastern Florida coast.
Tequesta Gardens: 55+ Homes in Tequesta, Florida
Situated in lovely Tequesta, Florida on the southeastern Florida coast, Tequesta Gardens is a 55+ condominium community. It was built in the 1970s and has nearly 250 units in 12 separate buildings with two stories each.
At the edge of the Cumberland Plateau where the mountains meet carpets of bluegrass, rural Berea is a quiet place steeped in Appalachian culture. Home to Berea College, it also attracts tourists and shoppers from around the region. It is a great retirement spot! Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in western Nevada and is about an hour north of stunning Lake Tahoe. It started out as a farming community in the mid-1800s and grew when silver was discovered in nearby Virginia City. Once a small fishing village, Destin has grown into a major tourist destination. The town's stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters attract visitors from around the world. Sleepy Fallbrook is nestled in rolling hills and orchards and is known for its avocados. In fact, it is called the "Avocado Capital of the World." Sleepy
Mechanicsburg is in the Cumberland Valley, an
agricultural region, just west of Harrisburg
(the state capital) and the Susquehanna River in
southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a sturdy
place, dating from 1807, and it has a good
reputation. Affordable living, stark natural beauty, a relaxed lifestyle, a good hospital and an OLLI are Albuquerque highlights. Is it a great place to retire?
Angel Fire is a resort village in the
hinterlands of northeastern
New Mexico. At 8,553 feet above sea level,
it sits in a beautiful
valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a quiet,
outdoor oriented place infused with Southwestern
character.
Outside of Houston, The Woodlands is an upscale master planned community with shopping centers, golf courses, libraries, a town center and more. Is it a great place to retire?
Offbeat and mellow, Eugene, Oregon draws retirees With its leafy neighborhoods, rich cultural scene, University vibe and liberal outlook. It is a great retirement spot!
The Oktibbeha County seat, Starkville is in northeastern Mississippi and is adjacent to Mississippi State University (25,000 students). The city is growing, and it is a somewhat liberal place in an othewise very conservative state.
Inviting Santa Fe is known for its rich cultural fabric, unique
architecture, hint of mysticism and wonderful restaurants.
It is a great retirement spot! Sleepy Port Royal sits along Port Royal Sound on the South Carolina coast and is next to 8,100-acre Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (which is actually part of the city). The Spanish arrived here in the early-16th century, and throughout the years, five countries, Spain, France, England, Scotland and the United States, as well as the Confederacy, have hoisted their flag over the city. Along the shores of the Alafia River on Florida's southwestern coast, pleasant Riverview is one of Tampa's unincorporated suburbs. It began as a simple settlement in 1885, but it has boomed in the last 20 years Lush and vibrant, Ann Arbor boasts excellent cultural amenities, a youthful vibe, safe neighborhoods and more. Is it a great place to retire? Once known as a lumber and port town,
charming Saugatuck is located on Lake Michigan's
sandy eastern shore. The town became an arts colony in the late-19th
century and continues that tradition today,
attracting tourists and vacationers.
This mountain metropolis is nestled in beautiful scenery
and boasts Old West character. Is it a great place to retire?
People come to Gulf Shores, tucked along the central shore of Alabama, for its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful beaches, nine outstanding golf courses and deep sea fishing. In fact, tourists outnumber residents during the summer, and "snowbirds" come in droves during the winter. Retirement on North Carolina's Outer Banks
If your goal is to retire to a temperate climate with endless vistas, then the Outer Banks might be for you. This scenic 200-mile string of barrier islands and peninsulas stretches from Virginia Beach to the southern edge of North Carolina. With a lakeside setting, picturesque Mount Dora is reminiscent of a quaint New England village and is known as Florida's friendliest small town. Is it a great place to retire? Situated along the southeastern Florida coast, Port St. Lucie is low key, safe and has abundant outdoor recreation. Is it a great place to retire?
Friendly and picturesque, Fairhope boasts a waterfront locale, safe neighborhoods and a gentle
spirit. It is a great retirement spot! Nestled in the lush landscape of central Kentucky, Danville is known for its historic downtown, strong community spirit, easygoing pace and nearby lake recreation. It is a great retirement spot!
The Appalachian Trail runs through this tiny, remote Madison County town in mountainous western North Carolina. That is not, however, the only reason why Hot Springs is a popular tourist destination.
Calabash is a
quaint fishing village with a long history and a large reputation. It sits near the mouth of the
quiet, crook-necked Calabash River where it
joins the Intracoastal Waterway in southeastern
North Carolina. It is the southern most coastal
town in the state and is known as
the "Seafood Capital of the World." Affordable living, a good medical facility and abundant lake recreation are Guntersville highlights. Is it a great place to retire?
Satellite Beach is a waterfront
community along Florida's east central coast and
is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian
River. It is also hemmed in by towns
to the north and south, keeping it a quiet place that is
almost entirely residential.
Satellite Beach, FL Homes from $100,000s: Oceanus
Oceanus Condominiums is a well kept, all ages condo community that was built in 1975. It sits on a berm a few feet from the beach and has a set of gated, wooden stairs that lead to the sand.
At the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains, Missoula boasts beautiful scenery,
a lively cultural scene, good hospitals and abundant outdoor recreation. It is a great retirement spot! Las Vegas, the "Entertainment Capital of the World," started out as a watering hole along the Old Spanish Trail, a trade route between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, in the early 19th century. It gained a seedy reputation in the 1910s and 1920s and was headed nowhere until construction began on nearby Hoover Dam and Lake Mead in 1931. Situated along the shores of the Alafia River on Florida's southwestern coast, pleasant Riverview is one of Tampa's unincorporated suburbs. It began in 1885 as a simple settlement along the water, but it has boomed in the last 10 or 20 years and more than doubled in size.
Davie dates from the early-1900s and was carved out of the Everglades in southeastern Florida. Its eastern edge is about 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, and it is known for its horse culture and "Western" ambiance. It also has four universities within its boundaries. Rural Whidbey Island is home to Coupeville, a weathered waterfront village that began in 1852 and in many ways feels as though it never left the mid-19th century. Tucked amid rolling farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Mount Joy has a rich agricultural history. It was founded by Scots-Irish immigrants in 1721 and has a downtown with refurbished buildings, antique shops, a funky brewery and more. With its rich history, charming riverfront setting, mellow way of life and reasonably priced housing, St. Marys beckons. It is a great retirement spot! Osprey Cove: a Beautiful Community in St. Marys, Georgia Spread across 1,100 lush coastal acres, Osprey Cove boasts single level homes, water views and Intracoastal Waterway access. About 35 miles
east of Pensacola, this western Panhandle
coastal town is wedged between Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa
Sound and the U. S. Air Force's Hurlburt Field.
It is a generally quiet, suburban place, home to
many military personnel and their families.
Touristy, quirky and artsy, Manitou Springs is a Victorian mountain village nestled in a forested box canyon at the foot of majestic Pikes Peak. Homes are eclectic. Restaurants are fun and plentiful. Neighbors are friendly. All of which makes Manitou a great retirement spot!
Just 10 miles from downtown
Lafayette and 40 miles north of Louisiana's
central coast, prosperous Youngsville got its start as a
French Acadian settlement in the early-1800s.
It retains a country quality but is one of the state's fastest growing
communities. Florida's capital
city, pretty Tallahassee, is perched in the middle of the Panhandle at the edge of the Red Hills Region.
It is a government and college city, home to
white collar workers, Florida State University
(population 40,000) and Florida A&M
University (population 13,000). The
city is known for its canopy roads, which are
lined with moss-draped live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and
tall pines. Hugging the rugged outcroppings of the Blue Hill
peninsula on Maine's central coast, this
charming, weathered waterfront town has a history that reaches back to 1762.
It is across the water from beautiful Acadia
National Park, home to Cadillac Mountain (the first place to see sunrise in the United
States). On the shores of shimmering Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a popular vacation destination and home of the original London Bridge. Is it a great place to retire? On Florida's Emerald Coast, which stretches about 100 miles from the Alabama border to Panama City, Fort Walton Beach (FWB) is a fishing and beach resort town surrounded by Eglin Air Force Base, the Choctawhatchee Bay, and the barrier islands of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa. Pensacola is about 40 minutes away. Situated along the Indian River, just south and east of Port St. Lucie on Florida's southeastern coast (the "Treasure Coast"), unincorporated, unassuming Jensen Beach was the "Pineapple Capital of the World" in the late-1800s. These days it is known for its peaceful lifestyle, sea turtles and great river fishing and deep sea fishing. Idyllic,
comfortable Gulf Breeze sits at the end of a
peninsula on the western Florida Panhandle and
is considered a suburb of Pensacola, which is
just across the bay. The Naval Live Oaks Reservation,
part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is
just to the east. One of the newest incorporated cities in Miami-Dade County, Cutler Bay sits about 30 miles south of downtown Miami in southeastern Florida. It is to the east of the South Dixie Highway, which runs to the Keys, and has as part of its eastern edge a large area of mangrove forests, marshes and tidal streams. Tucked between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, sleepy Waynesville started out in the early-1800s. It is growing, increasing in size by 4% within the last decade, and it appeals to people who love the outdoors and rural small town living.
Tucked beside wide rivers, historic New Bern offers a slower pace, grand homes and affordable living. It is a great retirement spot!
Often considered the prettiest small city in Florida, Punta Gorda charms with its coastal locale, inviting cityscape, safe, canal laced neighborhoods and abundant boat recreation. It is a great retirement spot! Rio Villa Lakes: 55+ Waterfront Homes in Punta Gorda, Florida
Rio Villa Lakes is a cozy, gated 55+ community with single family, single level waterfront homes, a heated swimming pool and a waterfall entry.
The tiny, closely-knit
village of Goodland, nearly completely
surrounded by water and wilderness, makes its
home on the outlying eastern edge of Marco
Island. The only way to get here is via
State Road 92 or by boat. Originally established by the land development business General Development Company in the late-1950s, North Port straddles the Myakka River in southwestern Florida. It is about an hour north of Fort Myers and an hour and a half south of Tampa.
Situated along the southeastern Florida coast, Port St. Lucie is low key, safe and has abundant outdoor recreation. Is it a great place to retire? Clean,
pretty Indialantic sits on a barrier island along the southern tip of Florida's Space
Coast. The town's name, as might be
guessed, comes from its location between the
Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic
Ocean. It is connected to the mainland via
a causeway. Tucked in scenic western North Carolina, Brevard beckons with its musical soul, cute downtown and many waterfalls. It also has a reasonable cost of living, making it a great retirement spot!
Quiet Port Charlotte is known for its easygoing waterfront lifestyle and reasonable cost of living. It is a great retirement spot!
Beautiful beaches, safe neighborhoods and an unassuming ambiance are
Navarre highlights.
Is it a great place to retire?
Platted in 1883,
old fashioned Floral City was once the center of Florida's phosphate mining
industry and today is a quiet, country place. It
is about 70 miles
north of Tampa in the northwestern part of the
state and has a nice reputation.
Tiny, quirky Cedar Key is a fishing village located on a small barrier island along Florida's northwest coast, about an hour south west of Gainesville. Off the beaten path, it is a place far from the hassles of modern life and has a seductively tropical, "ends of the earth" feeling about it. This secluded, upscale mountain community is only 15 miles west of Denver in north central Colorado and is surrounded by open space, forested state parks and wooded county parks. It sits at 7,300 feet above sea level and started out in 1859. Tucked amid rolling hills and close to two large lakes, Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake, Mountain Home boasts outstanding water recreation, a slower pace and affordable housing. Is it a great place to retire?
A lively atmosphere, Southern hospitality, good senior services and a reasonable cost of living are Clemson highlights. It is a great retirement spot!
This scenic coastal "village" which is
situated along the Pacific Coast between Los
Angeles and San Diego, began in the 1880s when
an ex-sailor named John Frazier began selling mineral water to
travelers. Today, Carlsbad is suburban,
well-to-do and thrives thanks to its natural beauty,
location and pretty beaches. Booming Oro Valley is a bedroom community north of Tucson in southern Arizona and is home to a number of high tech and biotech companies. It is in a pretty setting in the Santa Cantalina Mountain foothills and has valley views. Nestled in
northwestern Arkansas' beautiful Ozark
Mountains, easygoing Fayetteville receives great
reviews all around. Rural and friendly, it is home to the University of
Arkansas (25,000 students) and has a Southern
collegiate vibe.
The tiny,
remote Dixie County fishing village of Horseshoe
Beach has a city limits sign that reads, "Welcome to Florida's Last
Frontier." The village dates from the
early-1800s and is on the rural northwestern Florida
coast, surrounded by grass flats and the Gulf of
Mexico. The nearest major highway is 20
miles away.
Set amid gently rolling hills, yellow buttes and waving prairie grass between the Big Horn Mountains and the Absaroka Range in scenic northwestern Wyoming, Powell is the authentic American West. Tidy and down to earth, it started out in the early-1900s as a work camp for laborers. Along Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Bonita Springs is a pretty city that caters to retirees and second home owners.
Valencia Bonita: a Large 55+ Community in Bonita Springs, Florida
Well-manicured and gated, Valencia Bonita has a resort ambiance and will have nearly 1,000 single family homes and town homes when commpleted.
A sprawling Phoenix suburb, Mesa is home to golf courses, an arts center, 10 aquatic centers and a large variety of neighborhoods and housing. Verde Groves: a Small 55+ Community in Mesa, Arizona
This established 55+ community is gated and has patio homes, a clubhouse, two heated swimming pools and an adjacent greenbelt.
Home to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is a lively city with athletic events, museums, film festivals and more. A quiet, comfortable place, Clermont is snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of lakes and has homes with boat docks. Kings Ridge: a Gated 55+ Community in Clermont, Florida
A large development, Kings Ridge has single story homes, two golf courses, a travel club and more. In the rolling landscape of western Virginia, clean, well-kept Christiansburg was once home to Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. A resort village at 8,553 feet above sea level, Angel Fire sits in a beautiful valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a peaceful, outdoor oriented place. Bay Harbor Islands is a sun-soaked town that sits on two small islands along the southeastern Florida coast just east of North Miami. Vintage Condo: a Gated Community in Bay Habor Islands, Florida
This quiet, established community has a swimming pool, condominiums for sale and is less than a mile from some beautiful beaches. Outside of Tucson in southern Arizona, fast-growing Sahuarita is home to pecan orchards, master-planned communities and a reasonable cost of living. Rancho Resort: a Small 55+ Community in Sahuarita, Arizona
Rancho Resort boasts attractive single level homes, a large clubhouse and a bounty of activity groups. Tucked along the Colorado River in rugged western Colorado, Palisade is surrounded by peach orchards, truck farms and a growing number of vineyards. In upstate South Carolina, suburban Mauldin sits in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is only 150 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, 101 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina and eight miles from Greenville, South Carolina, the Greenville County seat. It is a pleasant, well managed place and has doubled in size during the last couple of decades. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Southern hospitality, beautiful homes, historic neighborhoods and pretty beaches are Mount Pleasant highlights. Is it a great place to retire?
Latest Town Snapshots: Once a sleepy riverfront hamlet, today pretty Palm City is known for its golf courses, master planned communities and waterfront homes.
Nestled in the lush rolling hills of northeastern Tennessee, Norris is popular with second homeowners and retirees in search of lakeside living and country charm. Based on the English garden design movement of the 1890s, Norris boasts a pretty central square and homes at angles to each other. Is it a great place to retire? Whispering Sound: a Gated 55+ Community in Palm City, Florida
Whispering Sound features Mediterranean-style town homes, a clubhouse, a swimming pool and regularly scheduled neighborhood events. In one of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods, Casas Adobes has mountains all around and boasts a regional shopping venue. Callawassie Island, South Carolina On a secluded barrier island of the same name, Callawassie Island has lagoons, a butterfly garden, rookeries and more. Set amid mystical red rock formations in central Arizona, seductive Sedona is known as a spiritual vortex and beckons with its unusual light, dozens of rejuvenating spas, beautiful homes and more. It is a great retirement spot!
A quite town on the Florida coast, Hobe Sound boasts a cute downtown and a secret beach with nearly empty sand.
A waterfront town popular with tourists, Northlake has well-tended, leafy neighborhoods and a reasonable cost of living.
In rugged southwestern Oregon, Grants Pass is known for its outdoor way of life and down to earth residents.
Once a sleepy fishing village, charming Venice is on the southwestern Florida coast and is known for its palm-lined streets, Italian Renaissance architecture, calm waters and dark sand beaches. Is it a great place to retire? Latest Town Snapshots: South of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, and not far from the Gulf, Weeki Wachee is home to famous mermaids and has a reasonable cost of living.
Glen Lakes: a Gated Golf Community in Weeki Wachee, Florida
Divided into villages, Glen Lakes features single family homes, lush landscaping and 18 holes of championship golf.
A fast growing lakeside town, Davidson boasts a small liberal arts college, a quaint downtown and leafy neighborhoods.
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Boerne was settled by German free thinkers and has a nice downtown with galleries, wine bars and eateries.
Terraces at Cibolo: a 55+ Apartment Community in Boerne, Texas
This 55+ apartment community has cottage-style units, a swimming pool and is pet-friendly.
Home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford boasts a literary vibe, intellectual stimulation, a historic downtown and an intense football culture. It is a great retirement spot!
Home to tall condos, marinas, swaying palms and amazing water views, Aventura is what many people think of when they picture Florida.
Point East: a Gated 55+ Condo Community in Aventura, Florida.
Reasonably priced homes, five swimming pools, a bowling alley and a waterfront walkway are Point East highlights.
Tucked in the mountains of northern Georgia, Blue Ridge is a tourist destination and is becoming popular as a retirement spot. Rural Mechicsburg has a quaint downtown, a long-running street fair and tidy neighborhoods with a variety of architectural styles. With its gentle charm, artsy sensibility and easy pace, Wimberley beckons. It is a great retirement spot! Along dusty Interstate
35 in central Texas, the charming village of
Salado is a diamond in the rough. It
started out as a college town in the 1850s and
was a busy stagecoach stop on the Chisholm
Trail. The college closed, but Salado morphed
into a hip artists' colony and today thrives as
a weekend getaway for people from Waco, Temple
and Austin. A little more than a mile long, Beverly Beach sits on a barrier island between the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean and has a beautiful strip of sand.
Mellow Tavares bills itself as "America's Seaplane City" and borders four large lakes with several smaller ones within its borders. Royal Harbor: a 55+ Lakeside Community in Tavares, Florida
This waterfront community has single level, single family homes (some with a boat dock), a clubhouse and an activities director. Tucked against the majestic Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, little Palmer Lake exudes a mountain vibe and boasts sweeping views. A quirky bayside town about 30 miles from San Francisco, Port Costa is off the beaten path and undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. Surfside Estates: a Waterfront 55+ Community in Beverly Beach, Florida
With pastel-colored, low maintenance homes, Surfside Estates has a waterfront park, a new clubhouse with a rooftop deck, a heated swimming pool and more. Tucked at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado, Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University and has an educated populace, a lively atmosphere and a casual, Western way of life. Is it a great place to retire? Sunflower: a 55+ Modular Home Community in Fort Collins, Colorado
Low maintenance homes, a clubhouse, neighborhood events and distant mountain views are Sunflower highlights. Once a pirates' lair, today Stuart has a thriving boating and charter fishing industry and is known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World." Monterey Yacht and Country Club: a Casual 55+ Community in Stuart, Florida
On the banks of the St. Lucie River, this gated, settled 55+ community has condominiums, a yacht club and a good menu of activities. Surrounded by mountains and once just a dusty cow town, Bozeman is home to Montana State University and is a gateway to stunning Yellowstone National Park. Situated in the rolling hills of western Kentucky, Bowling Green was once the capital of Confederate Kentucky and today is home to Western Kentucky University. Just outside of Charleston in South Carolina, Summerville charms with its elegant homes, leisurely pace and bounty of colorful flower gardens. Neighbhorhoods are safe. The cost of living is reasonable and the town is growing. It is a great retirement spot!
A friendly town in Texas' lush Piney Woods, Tyler is known as the "Rose Capital of America" and boasts the largest municipal rose garden in the U.S. The city also has a University of Texas campus, a ballet, a symphony orchestra and two lakes. Is it a great place to retire? Laced with canals and dotted with lakes, Royal Palm Beach is primarily residential and has a cultural center, tidy neighborhoods and acres of open space and parkland. Nestled along Lake Norman in rolling western North Carolina, Cornelius is a pretty community with an attractive downtown. Home to Kansas State University, leafy Manhattan often lands on "best places to live" lists and has a distinct collegiate atmosphere.
Pretty Punta Gorda is on the southwestern Florida coast and boasts neighborhoods laced with canals, a quaint downtown, abundant water recreation and an easygoing charm. It is a great retirement spot!
Rio Villa Lakes: a Gated 55+ Community in Punta Gorda, Florida
This small 55+ community has waterfront homes, a nice waterfall entry, a heated swimming pool and more. A quiet riverfront town, Ellenton has a rural quailty and an interesting mix of neighborhoods. North River Estates: a 55+ Community in Ellenton, Florida
Leafy and low key, North River Estates has manufactured homes, water views, woodland views and is pet friendly. Madison, a pretty city on the banks of Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, has shaded neighborhoods and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. A rustic but comfortable waterfront village with an "old salt" ambiance, Waldport is just minutes from the 630,000-acre Siuslaw National Forest. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Outside of Charleston on the mid-South Carolina coast, Mount Pleasant is a prosperous city with tree-lined neighborhoods, bountiful gardens, elegant homes, pretty beaches and more. Is it a great place to retire? On the shores of Boca Ciega Bay, Gulfport is known for its Old Florida waterfront district and artsy, bohemian vibe.
In a canyon along a river deep in the spectacular Rocky Mountains, little Dolores is an outdoor adventure hub popular with rafters, cyclists, fishermen, skiiers, campers and others.
Next to Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama, Cedar Bluff is a simple place with plenty of outdoor recreation and a reasonable cost of living.
Liberty Cottages: Elegant 55+ Homes in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
With just 43 single family homes, Liberty Cottages is quiet and cozy and has more than 500 acres of marshes and wetlands. Amenities include a summer kitchen and restaurants. In the middle of the Outer Banks, rustic Wanchese occupies the southern edge of Roanoke Island and boasts the island's busiest marina. The small barrier island community of Indian Shores is just west of Largo and less than an hour from Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast. A balmy, relaxed place, it started in the mid-1800s but still does not draw the tourist crowds of nearby communities. Barefoot Beach Resort: Waterfront Condos in Indian Shores, Florida On the southern end of Indian Shores, Barefoot Beach Resort, a condominium community, spreads across five acres and overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. The community was built in the 1960s but has been updated and renovated. Outside of Phoenix, Buckeye is growing quickly and is home to many master-planned communities.
Victory at Verrado: a Beautiful 55+ Neighborhood in Buckeye, Arizona
In a dramatic landscape of bluffs, buttes and ravines, Victory is a 55+ enclave within a larger, all ages community and has single family homes for sale.
A quiet town on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud started as a retirement town for Union Civil War veterans. Today, it has safe, well-tended neighborhoods and a cute downtown with brick streets. Twin Lakes: a Lakeside 55+ Community in St. Cloud, FL
This stylish 55+ community is gated and has single family homes, town homes, a large clubhouse and direct water access. Just 20 miles south west of Fort Myers on Florida's Gulf Coast, the prosperous, "beachy" town of Sanibel sits on the barrier island named Sanibel Island. It was once an infamous pirates' den but today is one of Florida's top vacation destinations and is renowned for its 15 miles of stunning, white crushed seashell beaches and wildlife refuges. In the rugged, high altitude Verde Valley of central Arizona, down-to-earth Cottonwood makes its home. It has a well-maintained historic center and boasts plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing and camping. Is it a great place to retire?
Ransom E. Olds, father of the Oldsmobile, purchased a large tract of land near the northern tip of Tampa Bay in 1916. His planned community looked a little bit like Detroit and was called R. E. Olds-on-the-Bay. The town was also called Tampa Shores. The name Oldsmar stuck in 1927. In central Texas, Temple is a regional medical center with an award-winning library, an orchestra, affordable housing and more.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Started in the mid-1600s and on a barrier island of the same name, wooded Hilton Head Island, or Hilton Head, is largely a confederation of 15 gated communities, most of them tucked in large stands of trees.
Hilton Head Plantation: a Beautiful Community in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island, located on a barrier island of the same name off the southern South Carolina coast, is the setting for beautiful Hilton Head Plantation, an all ages community that appeals to baby boomers, empty nesters, pre-retirees and retirees. Construction began in the early-1970s and is ongoing.
Latest In Depth Review: Along the San Gabriel River in lush central Texas, friendly Georgetown boasts a beautifully restored downtown, a colorful flower festival, safe neighborhoods and a casual way of life. It is a great retirement spot!
In an area dotted with primitive wetlands and woodlands, peaceful Bayonet Point sits next to Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, a place where dolphins, gray foxes and tortoises make their home.
Leafy and comfortable, Belle Isle is just six miles from downtown Orlando in east central Florida. It completely surrounds Lake Conway, which is one of several lakes and canals in the Lake Conway Chain of Lakes. It borders two other smaller lakes as well. On the St. Lucie River Inlet and straddling the scenic Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno is known for its seafood and recreational fishing. Mellow Matlacha, cute and a slightly ramshackle, is an old fishing village that completely covers a little island just off Florida's western coast. Matlacha Cottages: a Cozy Resort in Matlacha, Florida
Tucked between motels and seafood eateries, this quaint resort has colorful cottages and waterfront views. Little Holden Beach has a mature population and is known for its windswept oceanfront beaches and a dramatic bridge that rises over the Intracoastal Waterway. In the Brazos Valley deep in the heart of Texas, College Station grew up around the railroad and is home to sprawling Texas A&M University. Near the Santa Rosa Mountains, pretty La Quinta is home to the world-famous PGA West golf complex and popular with tourists and "snowbirds." Watercolors: an Attractive 55+ Community in La Quinta, California
This 55+ community has single family homes, a Mediterranean theme and subsidized prices. Just two hours away from everything (according to locals), Lexington boasts reasonable prices and nearby lake recreation. Land's End: a Waterfront Community in Lexington, South Carolina
Gated Land's End has two private beaches, condominiums for sale and amazing Lake Murray views. Once a rural bedroom community caught between Denver and Boulder, prosperous Broomfield consolidated its city and county governments in 2001 and has blossomed into a city with a distinct identity.
Anthem Ranch: a Stylish 55+ Community in Broomfield, Colorado
Located in beautiful Broomfield and part of a larger master-planned community, 55+ Anthem Ranch broke ground in 2006. It was conceived by Del Webb and acquired by Toll Brothers in 2013.
On the rugged Maine coast, Boothbay is an old fishing village with a working class sensibility, a touristy boardwalk and salt-laden air. Originally begun as a religious colony, today Estero boasts abundant wildlife, plenty of recreational opportunities and pretty nearby beaches.
Fast growing
Davidson, situated on the east shore of Lake
Norman in southwestern North Carolina, receives
good reviews all around.
About 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Trinity is comprised of named neighborhoods, gated communities and streets that wind around lakes. Heritage Springs: a Large 55+ Community in Trinity, Florida
Established and gated, Heritage Springs has single family homes, town homes and a golf course. In a scenic valley on the edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, little Etowah is popular with people who want to live in trendy, neighboring Asheville but cannot quite afford it. Riverwind: a Pet-Friendly 55+ Community in Etowah, North Carolina
Clean and nicely landscaped, Riverwind has manufactured homes and a secluded setting with beautiful mountain views. Latest Town Snapshots: Slightly overgrown and near Lake Jovita, San Antonio has a rural quality, some fun festivals and a quiet way of life. Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club: a Gated 55+ Community in San Antonio, Florida
A large, gated community, Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club has single family homes, 27 holes of golf, three swimming pool, pet parks and more. Beautiful Pinehurst was originally designed to resemble an English village and today is a golf destination popular with vacationers and retirees.
Pinehurst Trace: a Wooded 55+ Community in Pinehurst, North Carolina
With low maintenance brick homes nestled in the trees, Pinehurst Trace has a hushed quality. Amenities include a clubhouse, a swimming pool and more. Twenty miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and about an hour north of San Francisco, rural, mellow Sebastopol makes its home. It is surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards and is a part of the state's fertile wine region.
Lexington, a quaint Shenandoah Valley town, boasts historic architecture, a scenic setting and a collegiate vibe. It is a great retirement spot! Tiny, quirky Cedar Key is a fishing village located on a small barrier island along Florida's northwest coast, about an hour south west of Gainesville. Off the beaten path, it is a place far from the hassles of modern life and has a seductively tropical, "ends of the earth" feeling about it. Pretty Land O' Lakes is a quiet place, dotted with bodies of water and shaded neighborhoods. It also has a couple of nudist resorts. The Groves: a 55+ Community in Land O' Lakes, Florida
An established community, The Groves has single family homes, patio homes, town homes, an 18 hole golf course and an abundance of open space. Bay St. Louis is a low key town that sits amid rivers, marshes and estuaries along the Bay of St. Louis and the Gulf of Mexico. A peaceful, casual place with mountains on its east side and seven miles of often empty beach on its west side, Rockaway Beach is a world unto itself. Clearwater is on the Florida Gulf Coast and is the site of Harbor Oaks Place, a 55+ high-rise condominium community with a swimming pool, a library, a spa, planned events and water views.
Leisurely Lynchburg sits amid rolling hills in central Virginia and boasts a reasonable cost of living, a historic sensibility, a mellow pace and leafy neighborhoods. It is a great retirement spot!
Latest Town Snapshots: Fernandina Beach sits on idyllic Amelia Island, a barrier island known for its high-end resort hotels, golf courses and miles of white sand beaches. Amelia Park: a New Urbanism Neighborhood in Fernandina Beach, Florida
Shaded and hushed, Amelia Park boasts colorful homes with traditional coastal architecture and a "main street Americana" quality. On Belize's southern coast, laid back Placencia Village sits on the southern tip of a long peninsula and is best known for its powder white beaches and mesmerizing blue waters.
Well managed and well kept, Mt. Juliet is outside of Nashville and known for its high quality of life and fast growth.
Lake Providence: a Lovely 55+ Community in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
This Del Webb community has single family homes, town homes, a lake, plenty of green spaces and a waterfall entry. Once a primary cattle shipping hub in West Central Texas, today Abilene is a quiet, friendly place home to families, military personnel and college students.
Pretty Land O' Lakes is a quiet place, dotted with bodies of water and shaded neighborhoods. It also has a couple of nudist resorts. The Groves: a 55+ Community in Land O' Lakes, Florida
An established community, The Groves has single family homes, patio homes, town homes, an 18 hole golf course and an abundance of open space. Bay St. Louis is a low key town that sits amid rivers, marshes and estuaries along the Bay of St. Louis and the Gulf of Mexico. A peaceful, casual place with mountains on its east side and seven miles of often empty beach on its west side, Rockaway Beach is a world unto itself. A pleasant place along the northeastern Florida coast, Palm Coast started as a planned community. Many of its homes back to a canal. Park Place: a Gated 55+ Community in Palm Coast, Florida
This small community has single family homes, a lake and an amenities center with a putting green, a swimming pool, a summer kitchen and more. The little town of Dillard is buried in northern Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and is popular with tourists and "weekenders" from Atlanta. Home to prestigious Smith College, Northampton has a liberal outlook, plenty of green spaces, interesting architecture and a bounty of amenities. Not far from Albuquerque, Bosque Farms started out as part of a Spanish land grant and remains rustic and rural today. Latest Town Snapshots: Idyllic Gulf Breeze sits at the end of a peninsula on the western Florida Panhandle and has the kind of white sand beaches and azure waters found on old-fashioned picture postcards. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, Columbus is nice little town in a growing wine and equestrian region and started out in the mid-1800s. On the southern edge of the Black Hills National Forest, the pretty, unassuming hamlet of Hot Springs is known for its healing mineral waters. The site of the University of Oklahoma, Norman is a comfortable, growing Midwestern city and has landed on numerous "best places to live" lists.