Where Are All the Inexpensive U.S. Beach Towns That Don't Have Hurricanes?
Not all U.S. beach towns experience hurricanes or tropical storms, but inexpensive U.S. beach towns are hard to find. Some are somewhat reasonably priced with prices below the national average, but few are cheap - most have costs above the national average. So a cheap beach town with no hurricanes exists primarily in the imagination.
Choosing a Great Place to Retire
When looking for great places to retire, we consider a number of factors, including cost of living, medical facilities, climate, transportation, crime rates, cultural amenities, education levels, shopping venues, infrastructure, recreational opportunities, housing options, the poverty rate and more. We weigh all of the evidence to decide if a town has enough going for it to make it a top place to retire. We are not affiliated with any of the places that we review.
What is the Difference Between Average Home Price and Median Home Price?
When searching for a place to retire, housing costs are a top concern. So what is the difference between the average home price and the median home price? The average home price is determined by adding together all the prices of homes sold during a specific timeframe and then dividing that amount by the number of homes sold. On the other hand, the median home price is the middle sales price of all the homes sold. In other words, a median price means that half of the homes sold at a price below the median and half sold at a price above the median.
Little River, a sleepy coastal town on South Carolina's Grand Strand, boasts waterfront eateries, fun festivals and nearby oceanfront beaches.
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.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina Beachside Home for Sale for $180,000
At the northern end of Topsail Island off the southern North Carolina coast, North Topsail Beach is the site of this beachfront home with sweeping views of ocean and sky. The beach is about a foot away.
Tucked in a scenic valley in north central Arkansas' lush, rural Ozark Mountains, homey Mountain View is known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World." Festivals are many, and the nearby Ozark National Forest is perfect for fishing, kayaking and camping.
Indialantic, Florida Oceanfront Home for Sale for $364,900
This relatively sizable oceanfront home boasts direct views of the Atlanic Ocean.
A tourist and "snowbird" destination, sun drenched Yuma sits along the Colorado River in southern Arizona and has a historic downtown, water recreation, fun festivals and more.
New Orleans, Louisiana Lakeside Home for Sale for $175,000
New Orleans is on the Louisiana coast and is the locale of this nice single family lakeside home with a pier attached to the back side of the house. The unobstructed water views are amazing.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Oceanfront Home for Sale for $300,000
Fort Lauderdale is on the southeastern Florida coast and is the locale of this soothing oceanfront home with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beach.
Unassuming Jensen Beach, once the "Pineapple Capital of the World," is today known for its peaceful way of life, sea turtles, excellent fishing and quaint, colorful downtown.
Jensen Beach, Florida Handsome Home for Sale for $259,999
This handsome home is in a gated, Italian-themed resort and features leafy pond views.
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.
Low key Laguna Beach sits on the central Florida Panhandle coast and is a residential community with a long, wide stretch of undeveloped soft white sand tucked against the dazzling, warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Laguna Beach, Florida Seaside Home for Sale for $356,000
This lovely oceanside home features a colorful interior, water views from practically every room and deeded beach access.
Town Snapshot:
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii
Sprawling, off-the-grid Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is bordered by water, a forest preserve and boasts amazing ocean views. It also has relatively reasonably priced homes.
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii Fairytale Home for Sale for $220,000
This fairytale home is tucked in the jungle and has vaulted ceilings, windows everywhere, a magnificent tub, not to mention a causeway, a circular drive, a greenhouse on the deck, a detached guest cottage and more.
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.
Leland, North Carolina Home for Sale for $247,500
This nice single family home is newly renovated, with new floors, new appliances, new paint 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.
On Maine's scenic central coast, charming, weathered Blue Hill dates from 1762 and is a hub for artists, craftsmen and musicians.
Blue Hill, Maine Home with Nearly Three Acres for Sale for $419,000
This Cape Cod home boasts a cedar shingle exterior and comes with a barn, a fenced garden and nearly three acres of land.
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.
With magnificent medieval architecture, elegant charm and a breathtaking seaside locale, sparkling Dubrovnik is popular with vacationers from around the world.
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."
Boynton Beach, Florida Beautiful for Sale for $300,000
On the southeastern Florida coast, Boynton Beach is the site of this beautiful, sunlit Intracoastal Waterway home with a wall of windows and very pretty water views.
On grassy rolling hills under a massive, majestic blue sky 15 miles east of the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado, Castle Rock has a charming downtown and sleek, safe neighborhoods tucked amid the vestiges of its frontier past.
On the shores of shimmering 22,000-acre Lake Conroe outside of Houston in southeastern Texas, Conroe boasts wooded neighborhoods, a nice downtown and a country vibe.
Conroe, Texas Attractive, New Home for Sale for $249,900
This new single story home sits on a leafy lot and has a lovely kitchen, an attached garage and a very reasonable HOA fee.
On the southern South Carolina coast, sleepy Port Royal is known for its charm, colorful eateries and New Urbanism. Boating and fishing are a way of life.
Daytona Beach, Florida Seaside Home for Sale for $259,000
On Florida's northeastern coast, Daytona Beach is the setting for this cozy, comfy seaside home with vast views of ocean, sky and the busy beach.
Nestled amid lakes outside of Orlando and Disney World, Doctor Phillips is a leafy town with gated neighborhoods and a good reputation.
Henrico, North Carolina Lakeside Home for Sale for $285,000
Henrico is tucked along 20,000-acre Lake Gaston in northeastern North Carolina and is the locale of this inviting lakeside single family home with a nice back deck, a sunning deck and a deeded, private, covered boat slip with a lift.
Clarksville, Virginia Lovely Lakeside Home for Sale for $274,500
Nestled along the banks of 50,000-acre John H. Kerr Reservoir in southern Virginia, Clarksville is the site of this lovely lakeside home with a wall of windows and a balcony, both providing soothing views of water and woods.
Trendy and touristy, Steamboat Springs is tucked in Colorado's rugged northwestern mountains and is a magnet for elite skiers and vacationers.
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.
Twin Falls, Idaho Cute Home for Sale for $299,990
This cute, updated home is on a very leafy lane with sidewalks and has a full mother-in-law suite.
Both a barrier island and a beach town, Tybee Island is an idyllic, casual vacation destination with dramatic sand dunes and three miles of white sand beaches.
Tybee Island, Georgia Beautiful Home for Sale for $384,900
This beautiful, cozy home is in a tennis and swim resort and has beach views and private beach access.
Villa Rica, Georgia Lakeside Home for Sale for $235,000
This nice lakeside home is in a town just outside of a bustling city and has lovely views of green spaces, the water and boat docks.
Beautiful Old Saybrook sits where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound on the central Connecticut coast and oozes understated New England charm, a wonderful downtown and lovely homes.
In Depth Review:
A peaceful, pretty place, Cody is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and draws retirees looking for dry air, big blue skies and a rich Western heritage.
Cody, Wyoming Home for Sale for $399,990
This single family home sits on nearly three acreas on the way to Yellowstone National Park and boasts gorgeous views.
Wedged between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, little Briny Breezes is a mobile home park and an incorporated town with a beautiful, uncrowded oceanfront beach.
Briny Breezes, Florida Home for Sale for $289,000
This low key home has nice covered front porch and windows all around the living area.
Bayou Vista, Texas Waterside Home for Sale for $279,900
On the Gulf Coast south of Houston, Bayou Vista is a community in which every home sits next to water, and it is the setting for this beautiful, colorful waterside home with a large deck and a private boat dock.
With Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park as neighbors, little Tellico Plains has a bounty of outdoor recreation, not to mention a nice downtown, a farmers' market, an arts center and more.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
On a barrier island of the same name, beautiful Hilton Head Island is a popular tourist destination and boasts elegant homes, world class golf courses, pretty beaches and fun events.
See This Sunny Home for Sale for $269,000 on our Hilton Head Island Page
This sunny, warm home features vinyl wood flooring, peach walls with white trim, a lovely kitchen, a wood burning fireplace, a large living room window and a deck with lagoon views.
On the little island of Kauai, mellow Hanapepe sits in a lush valley and is home to cute shops, artists, overgrown neighborhoods and soothing ocean views.
Lincoln City, Oregon Oceanside Home for Sale for $300,000
Lincoln City is on Oregon's scenic northern coast and is the setting for this bright oceanside home with many water-facing windows and a cute balcony with fresh-air views of sky, sea and sand.
Davidson, North Carolina Lakeside Home for Sale for $300,000
Davidson rests on the eastern shore of 33,000- acre Lake Norman in southwestern North Carolina and is the locale of this handsome lakeside home with a private balcony overlooking water and boats.
Outside of Nashville in north central Tennessee, amiable, up and coming Murfreesboro exudes a quiet country charm. It is also a shopping hub, full of friendly folks and home to Middle Tennessee State University.
Artsy, a little dusty and understated, sun-soaked Tubac boasts art galleries, excellent restaurants, interesting home styles and an unhurried pace.
Tubac, Arizona Beautiful Home for Sale for $285,000
This beautiful home has lots of natural light, a bright kiva fireplace and a wonderful back deck.
Waymart, Pennsylvania Secluded Lakeside Home for Sale for $199,900
Waymart is tucked in the scenic Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania and is the locale of this secluded lakeside single family home with nearly an acre of wooded land and 278 feet of lake frontage. Beautiful water and hillside views are everywhere.
Town Snapshot:
Pretty Tallahassee, a college town and Florida's capital, is perched in the middle of the Panhandle and is known for its plantation homes and canopy roads, which are lined with moss-draped live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and tall pines.
Wooded and well manicured, Matthews is in south central North Carolina and has a cute, old fashioned downtown, a farmers' market and fun festivals.
Nestled in heart-stopping scenery on beautiful Puget Sound, laid back Olympia boasts water and mountain views, a picturesque waterfront, downtown events and leafy neighborhoods.
Olympia, Washington Home for Sale for $175,000
This cute single family home sits on a wooded lot in the Lost Lake Resort and has a lot of windows.
Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is a lively city known for its leafy landscape, academic vibe, thriving downtown and rich history.
Charlottesville, Virgnina Home for Sale
See This Stylish Home for Sale for $275,000 on Our Charlottesville Page
This attractive, renovated home features white and pale blue walls with hardwood flooring, an open-concept kitchen with granite countertops and a breakfast bar, designer baths, each with a walk-in shower, and a private balcony with pretty mountain and city views.
Crane Hill, Alabama Lakeside Cottage for Sale for $199,900
Along Smith Lake in northwestern Alabama, Crane Hill is the locale of this cute lakeside cottage with a wraparound deck, a large screened-in porch, a private boat dock and pretty views of woods and water.
In the pretty Santa Catalina Mountain foothills north of Tucson in southern Arizona, sun soaked Oro Valley is home to safe neighborhoods and master planned communities, high tech and biotech companies, golf courses and plenty of other opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Panama City Beach, Florida Lagoonside Home for Sale for $285,000
On the Florida Panhandle, Panama City Beach is the site of this lovely, light and airy lagoonside side home with tall windows and soothing water views.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida
A laid back town on a barrier island off Florida's southeastern coast, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is popular with snorkelers, divers and boasts a prosperous, bohemian vibe.
Santee, South Carolina Home for Sale for $249,000
Santee is a little resort town on the banks sprawling Lake Marion about an hour outside of Charleston and is the setting for this lovely waterside home with beautiful windows, a large private balcony and scenic views of water, woods and boat docks.
Along the shores of High Point Lake, quiet, pretty Jamestown was founded by Quakers in 1816 and today is known for its grand homes and historic sites. Prices are reasonable, too.
Santee, South Carolina Home for Sale for $249,000
Santee is a little resort town on the banks sprawling Lake Marion about an hour outside of Charleston and is the setting for this lovely waterside home with beautiful windows, a large private balcony and scenic views of water, woods and boat docks.
Originally a religious colony, quiet Estero sits along Estero Bay in southwestern Florida and boasts plenty of recreational opportunities, abundant wildlife and beautiful oceanfront beaches just down the road.
Home to prestigious Smith College, leafy Northampton is at the base of the Berkshires and has a collegiate vibe, a lively downtown and a bounty of amenities, everything from plays and workshops to botanic gardens and farmers' markets.
Surfside Beach, South Carolina Home for Sale:
Surfside Beach, South Carolina Colorful Home for Sale for $174,500
This colorful home is in a resort community about two miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and is tastefully decorated.
Surfside Beach, South Carolina
An easygoing oceanfront town, Surfside Beach is on South Carolina's lively Grand Stand and has two miles of sparkling white sand beaches with 36 access points.
Galveston, Texas Beachside Home for Sale for $277,000
Galveston is a funky beach town on Texas' eastern coast and is the setting for this attractive oceanside home with two private balconies and sweeping views of sand and surf. The beach is about five feet away.
On the southern edge of the Black Hills National Forest in southwestern South Dakota, the pretty, unassuming hamlet of Hot Springs is popular with tourists and is known for its healing mineral waters.
Not far from Orlando in north central Florida, Geneva is a peaceful place surrounded by water and wilderness and is sometimes called "the lost world" by locals.
Reeds Spring, Missouri Lakeside Home for Sale for $199,900
Along the shores of 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake and about 20 minutes outside of lively Branson, Reeds Spring is the site of this cute lakeside single family home with a large back deck and leafy lake views.
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.
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.
Navarre is a leisurely place on the western Florida Panhandle and is home to a marine sanctuary, a long pier and miles of soft, exceptionally white Gulf Coast beaches caressed by warm emerald waters.
On a tall ridge at the end of the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee, pretty Signal Mountain overlooks the impressive Tennessee River and has a suburban, country vibe.
Compact, coastal Belleair Bluffs rests on one of Florida's highest coastline elevations and is a gateway to beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, including breathtaking Clearwater Beach.
On the rugged, scenic Oregon coast, Florence is a weathered, touristy hamlet with a cute downtown, uncrowded beaches and a magical hobbit trail.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Oceanside Home for Sale for $174,900
Just feet from the sand on the northern South Carolina coast, this cozy oceanside home is light and bright and boasts direct views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Welcoming Dawsonville is outside of Atlanta, not far from the North Georgia mountains, and it is the site of the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival.
A scenic town on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson in central Texas, Horseshoe Bay is home to the Horseshoe Bay Resort and has lovely homes, open spaces and beach access.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Oceanside Home for Sale for $199,999
On the northern South Carolina shore, Myrtle Beach is the site of this nice little oceanside home with direct beautiful views of the Atlanic Ocean, the beach and blue sky.
In the pretty Santa Catalina Mountain foothills north of Tucson in southern Arizona, sun soaked Oro Valley is home to safe neighborhoods and master planned communities, high tech and biotech companies, golf courses and plenty of other opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Panama City Beach, Florida Lagoonside Home for Sale for $285,000
On the Florida Panhandle, Panama City Beach is the site of this lovely, light and airy lagoonside side home with tall windows and soothing water views.
Mongomery, Texas Lakeside Home for Sale for $197,000
Outside of Houston, leafy Montgomery sits along Lake Conroe and is the site of this lakeside home with a private boat slip and sweeping water views.
Nestled in beautiful mountain scenery and once the stomping grounds of frontiersman Daniel Boone, leafy Boone is home to Appalachian State University and has a nice downtown, fun festivals, academic events, outstanding outdoor recreation and more.
A peaceful, well-managed city, Idaho Falls sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
Westminster, South Carolina Riverside Home for Sale for $345,000
Westminster sits between the Savannah River and Lake Keowee in northwestern South Carolina and is the site of this large riverside single family home for sale. It has a big deck, a gorgeous sitting room and a private boat dock.
Once a small fishing village, Destin sits on Florida's Panhandle and has grown into a major tourist destination known for its stunning oceanfront white sand beaches and translucent turquoise waters.
Ocean City, Maryland Home for Sale for $209,000
On the northern Maryland shore, Ocean City is a popular, barrier island resort town and the locale of this snug bayside home with pretty views of marshes, sky and water.
Starks, Louisiana Riverside Home for Sale for $74,900
Starks sits on the shores of the Sabine River about an hour north of the Louisiana coast and is the locale of this nice, colorful, riverside single family home with a large deck that overlooks the water.
On one end of a long barrier island, picturesque Emerald Isle boasts white sand beaches, nesting sea turtles, blue green waters and fun festivals.
A quiet seaside town, Satellite Beach has eight miles of sugar white oceanfront sand, waterfront parks and a wildlife habitat accessible only by boat.
Northwestern Washington's rural Whidbey Island is home to Coupeville, a weathered waterfront village surrounded by the sea, old growth forests and abundant wildlife, including gray whales and sea otters.
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.
Outside of Nashville in north central Tennessee, amiable, up and coming Murfreesboro exudes a quiet country charm. It is also a shopping hub, full of friendly folks and home to Middle Tennessee State University.
Nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western North Carolina, sleepy Waynesville appeals to people who love the outdoors.
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Beachfront Home for Sale for $199,000
On South Carolina's northern shore, North Myrtle Beach is the quieter side of Myrtle Beach and is the site of this cozy beachside home with soothing views of the Atlantic and the white sand beach.
Outside of Atlanta in western Georgia, cute little Pine Mountain has a small, touristy downtown and is close to beautiful Callaway Gardens, FDR's Little White House and sprawling F.D. Roosevelt State Park.
Outside of Indianapolis in central Indiana, Fishers often lands on "best places to live" lists, thanks to its very safe neighborhoods, wholesome atmosphere and friendly folks.
Wooded and well manicured, Matthews is in south central North Carolina and has a cute, old fashioned downtown, a farmers' market and fun festivals.
Outside of New Orleans in southeastern Louisiana, Slidell boasts great festivals, a cute, historic downtown, a leisurely pace and reasonable prices.
On the northeastern Florida coast, touristy Jacksonville Beach has classic white sand oceanfront beaches, a beautiful golf course, a fun boardwalk and a long pier.
In a pretty valley on the edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, little Etowah is close to trendy Asheville, the Pisgah National Forest and a popular waterfall.
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.
Home to the University of North Carolina, lively Chapel Hill is known for its funky academic vibe, leafy neighborhoods, rich foodie culture, excellent medical facilities and more.
Bath Springs, Tennessee Home for Sale for $249,500
Along the majestic Tennessee River in western Tennessee, Bath Springs is the site of this riverside single family home with a big front porch, a cargo elevator, a rock seawall and lots of windows with beautiful water views.
Daytona Beach, Florida Oceanside Home for Sale for $64,999
Daytona Beach is a lively town on Florida's northeastern coast and is the setting of this little oceanside home with vast views of water, sky and sand.
Kapaa is a charming, touristy beach town on the eastern shore of Kauai and boasts overgrown neighborhoods, waterfront parks, an art walk and more.
This pretty town sits on an isthmus in a chain of lakes and has a cozy downtown, canopy lanes, an understated atmosphere and some extraordinary waterfront homes.
Next to sparkling Hilo Bay on Hawaii's Big Island, sleepy Hilo boasts a verdant landscape, beautiful ocean views, an old fashioned cityscape and a very mellow way of life.
Hilo, Hawaii Lovely Home for Sale for $399,000
This lovely Hilo home is about 500 feet from the ocean and next to popular Carlsmith Beach.
Once just a dusty desert outpost home to cattlemen, shopkeepers and scallywags, today sun-drenched Benson is the touristy gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park, a vast network of underground passageways.
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.
Florence, Oregon Oceanfront Home for Sale for $239,997
Florence is on Oregon's pretty mid-coast and is the site of this oceanfront home with direct, sweeping views of the Pacific and the often uncrowded beach, which is about 100 feet away.
Aventura, Florida Waterside Home for Sale for $249,900
Balmy Aventura is on the southeastern Florida coast and is the setting for this lovely waterfront home with an extended balcony and amazing views of water, sky and city.
Sleepy Safety Harbor is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its quaint downtown, safe neighborhoods, pretty waterfront setting and friendly neighbors.
Satellite Beach, Florida Oceanside Home for Sale for $299,000
Satellite Beach is a quiet barrier island town on Florida's Atlantic coast and is the site of this lovely oceanside home with a private balcony and views of city and ocean.
Not far from San Antonio and Austin in the pretty Texas Hill Country, Boerne has a rich German heritage and a touristy creekside downtown.
In scenic, rugged southwestern Oregon, Grants Pass is known for its delightful downtown, outdoor way of life and down to earth residents.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Culpeper is a cute place with a historic, well-kept downtown, some wineries and leafy neighborhoods.
On the southern edge of the Black Hills National Forest in southwestern South Dakota, the pretty, unassuming hamlet of Hot Springs is popular with tourists and is known for its healing mineral waters.
About an hour north of Tampa and south of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, laid back Weeki Wachee is home to famous mermaids and plentiful outdoor recreation.
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.
Tucked along the Tyrrhenian Sea and surrounded by steep hills and exquisitely clear blue water, beautiful, ancient Maratea boasts narrow streets, a sparkling marina and uncrowded beaches.
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.
A mellow, sparkling seaside city, Santa Barbara boasts a completely charming downtown, a picturesque wharf, an urban wine trail and beautiful beaches.
Outside of Washington, D.C., lovely Reston was influenced by the 19th-century garden city design movement and is dotted with streams, wildflower meadows, community gardens and lakes.
Along the shores of the Alafia River on Florida's southwestern coast, mellow Riverview is dotted with new neighborhoods and is near state parks and world class white sand beaches.
Posh and prosperous, San Luis Obispo is close to the coast and has a beautiful climate, a delightful town center, an academic vibe and no fast food drive-thru restaurants.
Tucked in northeastern Arizona's White Mountains, Show Low is a high altitude hamlet with wooded neighborhoods, clear, starry skies and outdoor recreation.
A peaceful, well-managed city, Idaho Falls sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho and often lands on "best places to live" lists.
A quiet seaside town, Satellite Beach has eight miles of sugar white oceanfront sand, waterfront parks and a wildlife habitat accessible only by boat.
Prospect, Kentucky Riverfront Home for Sale for $284,900
Prospect is a leafy, prosperous town along the Ohio River in north central Kentucky and is the site of this lovely riverfront home with a gated boat ramp and panoramic water views from the living room, bedrooms and walk-out basement.
Home to the University of Oklahoma, Norman is a comfortable, leafy Midwestern city and has landed on numerous "best places to live" lists.
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.
A relaxed riverfront town on Florida's Gulf Coast, Ellenton has a rural quality, an interesting mix of safe neighborhoods and nearby beaches.
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.
Atlantic City, New Jersey Oceanside Home for Sale for $199,000
Atlantic City is on the South New Jersey coast and is the site of this little oceanside home with abundant sunlight and spectacular views of the sky and ocean. The famous Boardwalk is right next door.
Beautiful, balmy Tequesta is tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and two waterways on Florida's southeastern coast. It has a life-guarded oceanfront beach, with another primitive beach to the south. Both are full of seashells but often empty of humans.
Ankeny is a tidy, friendly town in pastoral central Iowa and has safe neighborhoods, a nice downtown, nearby lake recreation and somewhat reasonable prices.
This nice town is outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and has safe, wooded neighborhoods, miles of trails, a strawberry festival and more.
Sleepy Safety Harbor is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its quaint downtown, safe neighborhoods, pretty waterfront setting and friendly neighbors.
Twenty miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and about an hour north of San Francisco, mellow Sebastopol sits amid rolling hills and vineyards and has a bohemian vibe.
Next to 30,000-acre Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama, Cedar Bluff is a simple place with plenty of outdoor recreation and a reasonable cost of living.
Next to 30,000-acre Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama, Cedar Bluff is a simple place with plenty of outdoor recreation and a reasonable cost of living.
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.
Spread over a barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast, beautiful Longboat Key is heavily developed, mellow and known for its stunning white sand beaches.
A cozy, pretty 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.
Once home to pirates and bounty hunters, funky, well-to-do Folly Beach is on Folly Island just southeast of Charleston and is known to locals as the "Edge of America."
Nestled along 32,500-acre Lake Norman in rolling western North Carolina, Cornelius is a pretty town with an attractive downtown, parks, nature trails, a small beach and plenty of water recreation.
Picturesque Gig Harbor is on northwestern Washington's beautiful Puget Sound and is clean, green and quiet.
Home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford boasts a literary vibe, intellectual stimulation, a historic downtown and an intense football culture.
The little town of Dillard is buried deep in northern Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and is popular with tourists and "weekenders" from Atlanta.
A wine and foodie town, Dundee is nestled in the beautiful, fertile countryside of northwestern Oregon's Willamette Valley and has a walkable downtown, a farmers' market and more.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains in lush western Virginia, historic Abingdon has an active arts scene, an attractive downtown, reasonable prices and more.
Home for Sale and Town Snippet:
Dewittville, New York Lakefront Home for Sale for $249,000
Dewittville is in beautiful upstate New York and is the setting for this attractive, newly renovated lakefront home with gorgeous water views, boat slips, a swimming pool and more.
High in the rugged Rocky Mountains of west central Colorado, scenic Crested Butte is a popular ski town with a relaxed ambiance, a cute downtown and outstanding year-round outdoor recreation.
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.
Panama City Beach, Florida Oceanfront Home for Sale for $185,000
On the Florida Panhandle, Panama City Beach is the locale of this cozy oceanside home with gorgeous views of sparkling white sand, warm blue/green water and endless blue sky.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Direct Oceanfront Home for Sale for $109,900
Myrtle Beach is on the northern South Carolina coast and is the setting of this snug first floor oceanfront home that directly faces the water and has a front door just steps from the sand.
Weathered and romantic, Gearhart is on the northern Oregon coast and is known for its long pristine beach with breathtaking ocean vistas.
Leafy and peaceful, Belle Isle completely surrounds Lake Conway outside of Orlando and has more surface water than land within town limits. Homes sit along the shoreline, and water recreation opportunities abound.
Prospect, Kentucky Riverfront Home for Sale for $284,900
Prospect is a leafy, prosperous town along the Ohio River in north central Kentucky and is the site of this lovely riverfront home with a gated boat ramp and panoramic water views from the living room, bedrooms and walk-out basement.
Clearwater, Florida Home for Sale for $275,000
Clearwater is on Florida's Gulf Coast and is the locale of this spacious waterfront home with large windows on three sides, offering beautiful water views in nearly every direction.
Tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Auburn dates back to the California Gold Rush and has a nice downtown, fun street festivals and abundant outdoor recreation.
Bordered by Lake Monroe, the St. John's River and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park outside of Orlando, DeBary is a peaceful place dotted with thousands of live oaks, cypress trees and southern magnolias.
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Oceanfront Home for Sale for $269,000
On Florida's southeastern coast, balmy Sunny Isles Beach is the locale of this cozy oceanside home with unimpeded views of the water. The gorgeous beach is just beyond the oceanfront swimming pool.
Quiet and safe, Ocean View touches Indian River Bay in southern Delaware and is adjacent to popular seaside resort Bethany Beach. Oceanfront beaches are about a mile to the east.
On Wyoming's southeastern plains, peaceful Cheyenne makes its home, attracting people looking for the authentic American West, blue skies, dry air and wide open spaces.
Just six miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern Florida, quiet, suburban Pembroke Pines has wide boulevards lined with palm trees and neighborhoods interwoven with canals.
Outside of Tucson in southern Arizona, Marana is home to master planned communities, golf courses, concerts in the park, a farmers' market and more.
Nestled beneath blue skies amid gorgeous mountain scenery in southwestern Colorado, touristy Durango is an outdoor adventure hub with a cute downtown, fun events and more.
With deep roots and an easy way about it, this little coastal town is home to gentle breezes, a popular shrimp festival and more. Oceanfront beaches are 10 minutes away.
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.
Dotted with wineries, breweries and candy stores, Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky and home to the famous bourbon ball.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Oceanfront Home for Sale for $190,000
Myrtle Beach is on the northern South Carolina shore and is the location of this nice oceanfront home with a private balcony and magnificent views of water, sky and sand.
"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.
Part of the scenic Carquinez Strait shoreline, Port Costa is a quirky East Bay town about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco and boasts beautiful water views.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina Beachfront Home for Sale for $259,900
Topsail Island is off the southern North Carolina shore and is the locale of this cozy oceanfront condominium with panoramic views of sky, water and sand. The beach is about 50 feet away.
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 venues, golf courses and eateries.
Artsy, cozy and snuggled in a scenic valley, Ashland is home to the nationally known Oregon Shakespeare Festival and boasts a stimulating atmosphere, a bevy of theater events, top notch eateries, outstanding outdoor recreation and more.
Latrobe, Pennsylvania Creekside Home for Sale for $215,000
Latrobe is a nice town outside of Pittsburg in western Pennsylvania and the setting for this attractive, creekside single family home with a wooded lot, a koi pond, a lovely glass enclosed porch and water views.
McClellanville, South Carolina
Home to artists and writers, McClellanville is nestled against tidal creeks and saltwater marshes and is a beautiful, secluded place.
Cross Lake Township, Maine Lakeside Home for Sale for $207,000
Cross Lake Township is in northern Maine, about four hours from Quebec City, and is the locale of this renovated, year-round lakeside single family home with 100 feet of water frontage, beach access and beautiful water views.
Picturesque Gig Harbor is on northwestern Washington's beautiful Puget Sound and is clean, green and quiet.
Sparta, Georgia Lakeside Home for Sale for $220,000
Sparta sits on the shores of sparkling Lake Sinclair in east central Georgia and is the setting for this nice lakeside home with a large back deck and beautiful water views. The community the home is in has boat slips and a beach.
On the shores of shimmering Lake Havasu in western Arizona, sun soaked Lake Havasu City is a popular water vacation destination and home of the original London Bridge.
Maurepas, Louisiana Waterfront Home for Sale for $200,000
Outside of New Orleans and an hour from the coast, Maurepas is the locale of this attractive single family waterfront home with sweeping water views, a large deck, a private boat dock and a golf cart.
On Florida's "Treasure Coast," laid back Vero Beach boasts a quiet ambiance with gentle trade winds, miles of white sand beaches, colorful shops and peaceful neighborhoods.
Sleepy, artsy Easton sits along the Chesapeake Bay and has a well-kept historic downtown, art galleries, excellent eateries and fun festivals.
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Oceanfront Home for Sale for $269,000
On Florida's southeastern coast, balmy Sunny Isles Beach is the locale of this cozy oceanside home with unimpeded views of the water. The gorgeous beach is just beyond the oceanfront swimming pool.
Just six miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern Florida, quiet, suburban Pembroke Pines has wide boulevards lined with palm trees and neighborhoods interwoven with canals.
Tucked in the verdant, sparsely populated North Kohala district on Hawaii's Big Island, cozy, mellow Hawi has a cute downtown and is close to a black sand beach.
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.
On Maine's gorgeous mid-coast, down-to-earth Brunswick is dotted with classic architecture and is home to a small, selective liberal arts college.
Nestled in rolling hills with fertile farmland and pretty lakes around every corner, Elkhorn is wholesome, safe and reasonably priced.
Delta, Alabama Lakefront Home for Sale for $289,900
About 90 minutes west of Atlanta, Georgia, Delta is the setting for this large lakeside single family home with a covered porch, big workshop/boathouse, new waterfront deck/pavilion, 100 feet of lake frontage and beautiful views.
Micanopy, Florida Lakeside Home for Sale for $295,000
Charming little Micanopy is north of Gainsville in north central Florida and is the site of this lovely brick single family lakeside home with pretty water views.
Not far from the largest research park in the country, Holly Springs is a quiet, comfortable town with an educated population, nice neighborhoods, a cultural center and more.
Little Cudjoe Key is part of a group of islands at the southern end of the Florida Keys and boasts a balmy, bohemian vibe.
On the northeastern Florida coast, touristy Jacksonville Beach has classic white sand oceanfront beaches, a beautiful golf course, a fun boardwalk and a long pier.
Not far from San Antonio and Austin in the pretty Texas Hill Country, Boerne has a rich German heritage and a touristy creekside downtown.
Bardstown is nestled in the bluegrass pastures of north central Kentucly and is known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World." It has also been called the most beautiful town in America.
Unhurried Melbourne Beach sits on a barrier island along Florida's Space Coast and is known for its beautiful stretch of white sand oceanfront beaches.
Swaddled by tall mountain peaks and thick national forest in spectacular northwestern Colorado, Breckenridge sits beneath cobalt blue skies and is cute, trendy and touristy.
Along Lake Pontchartrain outside of New Orleans in southeastern Louisiana, Slidell boasts great festivals, a cute, historic downtown, a leisurely pace and reasonable prices.
Wilson, New York Waterfront Cottage for Sale for $165,000
On the banks of Lake Ontario in pretty Upstate New York, Wilson is the site of this adorable waterside cottage with a sunroom, skylights galore, a private floating dock, water views and 10 feet of water frontage.
Nestled beneath blue skies amid gorgeous mountain scenery in southwestern Colorado, touristy Durango is an outdoor adventure hub with a cute downtown, fun events and more.
A lush, active small city with an educated population, Davis has a strong academic vibe, award-winning wineries, a lovely downtown, an OLLI and more.
Buried in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, historic Morganton has a nice downtown, fun events, nearby lake recreation and reasonable prices.
Daytona Beach, Florida Intracoastal Waterfront Home for Sale for $263,500
On the northeastern Florida coast, lively Daytona Beach is the setting for this ICW waterfront home with a private balcony and sweeping water views.
Aurora, Maine Lakeside Home for Sale for $290,000
Aurora is in southeastern Maine, about 45 minutes from the coast, and is the locale of this secluded lakefront cottage with a boat dock and breathtaking views of water and woods.
Abbeville, Alabama Home for Sale for $259,000
Abbeville sits along Lake Eufaula about 50 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico in southern Alabama and is the site of this lovely single family lakeside home for sale. It sits on more than half an acre and boasts beautiful water views from the screened porch, living room, dining room and bedrooms.
Corpus Christi, Texas Waterside Home for Sale for $220,000
Corpus Christi is a laid back city on the Texas Gulf Coast and is the site of this attractive waterside condominium with a private patio and wide views of sand, sky and water. The beach is about 100 feet away.
Little River Home Four Miles from the Beach for Sale for $189,900
This lovely home has been remodeled and is in a community with a pool and a deck. Some of the area's nicest oceanfront beaches are about four miles away.
Historic Kilmarnock is in Virginia's Northern Neck and has a charming main street, wineries, a farmers' market and more.
Nestled in the lush rolling hills of western Kentucky, Bowling Green is home to Western Kentucky University, a beautiful performing arts center, leafy neighborhoods, reasonable prices and more.
Dotted with lakes and laced with canals, suburban Royal Palm Beach is in southeastern Florida and has palm-lined neighborhoods, good restaurants and plenty of parks.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Culpeper is a cute place with a historic, well-kept downtown, some wineries and leafy neighborhoods.
A tropical, cosmopolitan resort town on a barrier island east of North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach has a gorgeous strip of sand, sparkling blue green waters and tall gleaming buildings.
Sunny Isles Beach Oceanfront Home for Sale for $220,000
This oceanfront home is in a hotel and has spectacular, unimpeded water views. The beautiful beach is just a few feet away.
Tucked beneath big blue skies not far from Albuquerque in north central New Mexico, peaceful Bosque Farms started out as part of a Spanish land grant and remains rustic and rural today.
Around the Country:
Five of the Country's Best Hole-in-the-Wall Breakfast Joints
When traveling around the country in search of the perfect retirement spot, check out these five mouthwatering breakfast joints and enjoy their one-of-a-kind hot pancakes covered in homemade maple syrup, warm cinnamon buns, sumptuous eggs benedict, delicious biscuits and gravy and tasty spinich enchiladas!
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.
Red Hill, quiet, suburban and reasonably priced, is just 10 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, white sand oceanfront beaches and the vast entertainment venues of the Grand Strand.
This low key town/master planned community has a country quality, a couple of golf courses, planned events, lots of wildlife and nearby rivers and state parks perfect for outdoor adventure.
Nestled along Florida's southern Gulf Coast, balmy Sarasota is famous for its 35 miles of hypnotic white sand beaches, cobalt blue waters, shopping venues, high-end resorts and more.
Sarasota Waterfront Home for Sale for $94,900
This little home sits next to a marina and has water views. Amenities include a Tiki Bar and heated swimming pool.
Sitting on the edge and in the middle of Boca Ciega Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, South Pasadena is a quiet town with waterfront homes, red brick streets, a yacht club and tantalizing oceanfront beaches five minutes away.
South Pasadena Waterfront Home for Sale for $269,900
This bayfront home has a living room with a wall of windows overlooking the water, providing sweeping views. There is also a nice sitting area next to the water and a boat dock.
A working fishing village with quirky shops and seafood eateries, little Cortez is on Florida's balmy Gulf Coast and has an Old Florida vibe and a mellow, Margaritaville attitude. Flip flops are standard attire.
Slightly overgrown and near Lake Jovita in west central Florida, San Antonio has a rural quality, some fun festivals, a quiet way of life and reasonable prices.
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.
Outside of San Francisco and the beautiful Napa Valley in northern California, Fairfield is a comfortable city with walking trails, large parks, golf courses, a railway museum and more. Wineries and farm stands dot the surrounding landscape.
Near outstanding lake recreation in southwestern Kentucky, Cadiz is a quiet country town nestled in a landscape of wooded hills, farmland and low stone walls.
Cadiz Lakefront Home for Sale $129,000
This lakefront home sits on a wooded lot and has a boat dock. Sunrises over the water are gorgeous.
South Pasadena Home with Water Views for Sale for $195,000
This home is in a waterfront community and has water views, a new kitchen, a new roof, a new hot water heater, new plumbing and more.
Tucked in the lush mountains of northern Georgia, cute little Blue Ridge is a tourist destination and up and coming retirement spot with nightly music jams, ghost walks, a historic drive-in theater and nearby lake recreation.
Mesa sits beneath baby blue skies outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona and is home to golf courses, an arts center, 10 aquatic centers and a large variety of neighborhoods and housing. "Snowbirds" love it.
Darling Mesa, Arizona Home for Sale for $119,000
This home boasts designer touches throughout and comes beautifully furnished.
North of downtown Miami on the southeastern Florida coast, balmy Aventura is peppered with lakes and canals. Tall condos sparkle in the sun, and fancy yachts bob in marinas, awaiting their next adventure. Oceanfront beaches are two minutes away.
Aventura, Florida Waterfront Home for Sale for $139,900
This casual home is in a community with lots of amenities and has gorgeous, unobstructed views of water and passing boats.
Once a hardscrabble mining camp, today Prescott is a vacation getaway with historic neighborhoods, a fun downtown, a gentle climate, excellent outdoor recreation, frontier character and more.
Home for Sale and Town Snippet:
Aventura, Florida Waterfront Home for Sale for $231,000
Aventura is a balmy town on the southeastern Florida coast and is the locale of this bright waterside home, which is actually two homes for sale for the price of one. Tall windows and a private balcony provide beautiful views of water and city.
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.
A nice little town nestled along the majestic Tennessee River in scenic southeastern Tennessee, South Pittsburg boasts outstanding outdoor recreation, a popular cornbread festival, reasonable prices and more.
Nestled along inlets, islets and the Little Manatee River on Florida's Gulf Coast, Ruskin is a laid back place where crickets chirp and frogs sing at night. Oceanfront beaches are about 30 minutes away.
Ruskin Waterfront Home for Sale for $83,500 This low key home has two bedrooms, one bath and sits right next to the water.
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.
Bordered by Everglades National Park and a short drive to oceanfront beaches, Coral Springs is known for its attractive cityscape, good government, fun arts festival and overall rich quality of life.
Town Snapshot and Home for Sale:
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
On North Carolina's southern Outer Banks, little Atlantic Beach is rich in history and boasts miles of sparkling white sand beaches. Locals enjoy a nice boardwalk, a music festival, outdoor movies and more.
Cozy Atlantic Beach Home with Water Views for Sale for $150,000
This cozy, colorful home is in a community with a boat dock and has a deck with sweeping water and marsh views. The beach is about 1,000 feet away.
Heron Bay, Coral Springs, Florida
Laced with canals and dotted with manicured grounds, lovely Heron Bay has single family homes, condos, town homes and a TPC golf course.
Bustling Myrtle Beach, part of South Carolina's Grand Strand, boasts long, oceanfront white sand beaches, golf courses, fun shopping venues, great restaurants, reasonably priced homes and much more.
Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Home for Sale for $125,900
This cozy home has water views and is literally feet from the beach.
Beautiful Seattle sits on the shores of gorgeous Puget Sound in west central Washington and boasts a bounty of eateries and pubs, theaters and museums, parks and trails, excellent medical facilities and more.
Charming Seattle Houseboat for Sale for $154,900
This completely charming houseboat is tastefully decorated and has views of water and other houseboats all around.
Quiet, slightly ramshackle and dotted with tall trees, Yankeetown is on Florida's untamed Big Bend Coast and is a world unto itself.
Tucked along Maine's scenic southern coast, picturesque Portland brims with history and has a charming downtown, an artsy vibe, pretty beaches and a working waterfront.
At the edge of the Cumberland Plateau where the mountains meet carpets of bluegrass, Berea is a quiet place with a small college, plenty of Appalachian artisan culture, a slight touristy vibe and reasonable prices.
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.
Sometimes called the Sixth Borough, stylish Boca Raton is known for its beautiful shopping venues, gated neighborhoods, pastel-colored buildings, verdant parks and two miles of sparkling white beaches.
On the coast of Southern California, beautiful San Diego boasts an eclectic mix of neighborhoods, endless amenities, excellent medical facilities and legendary oceanfront beaches.
San Diego Home with Incredible Views for Sale for $349,000 This cozy home is two miles from San Diego Bay and boasts panoramic views of city, mountains and water.
Homey little Swansboro sits on North Carolina's mid-coast and boasts a rich maritime culture, a cute, historic downtown, nearby oceanfront beaches and reasonable prices.
Posh and prosperous, San Luis Obispo is close to the coast and has a beautiful climate, a delightful town center, an academic vibe and no fast food drive-thru restaurants. Soothing Green Cove Springs sits along a bend in the St. Johns River in northeastern Florida and boasts leafy neighborhoods, reasonable prices and healing waters once thought to be the Fountain of Youth.
Bounded by the sea and Lake Tarpon on Florida's Gulf Coast, Palm Harbor is home to the world class Innisbrook Golf Resort and has a fun downtown with cute shops and pubs. Honeymoon Island State Park, just across the causeway, boasts four miles of stunning oceanfront beaches.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, Pepeekeo is a very laid back place with safe neighborhoods, volcano views, Pacific Ocean views, an amazing, nearby tropical garden and beaches just down the road.
Dredged from wetlands and the ocean floor, mellow Hernando Beach is a Gulf Coast canal community with direct access to the sea. Every home sits next to a canal, and oceanfront beaches are about 10 miles away.
On North Carolina's northern Outer Banks' island of Roanoke, Manteo is a secluded little waterfront village that curves around quiet Shallowbag Bay. Locals enjoy an artsy downtown, a boardwalk, a farmers' market and oceanfront beaches, which are about a mile away.
Once a sleepy fishing village, charming Venice sits along the southwestern Florida coast and boasts palm-lined streets, a rich arts culture, calm waters and dark sand beaches.
Spread across two barrier islands on Texas' eastern Gulf Coast, Galveston is funky and slightly worn with a friendly reputation, miles of beaches and lots of things to do.
Amid rolling hills, woodlands and Amish farms in central Michigan, pretty Canadian Lakes is a resort town/community with lakes, pools, parks, golf courses, six beaches and a castle.
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 has an often uncrowded, powdery white sand beach.
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, fun surfing festivals, lively art festivals and more. In the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Banner Elk is a vacation destination with a cute downtown. Locals enjoy the Woolly Worm Festival, day spas, a summer concert series 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.
Just west of entertainment-hub Myrtle Beach, Socastee is reasonably priced with neatly laid out neighborhoods and classic oceanfront beaches just down the road.
On a "Forgotten Coast," Eastpoint is a secluded little village next to a state forest and across from a barrier island with miles of unspoiled oceanfront beaches.
Tucked on the Great Plains of southeastern South Dakota, clean, well-managed Sioux Falls has a nice downtown, bountiful green spaces, fairs, festivals and plenty of amenities.
On Maine's scenic central coast, charming, weathered Blue Hill dates from 1762 and is a hub for artists, craftsmen and chamber musicians. Bar Harbor's Sand Beach is about an hour away.
Along the shores of Boca Ciega Bay west of St. Petersburg on Florida's Gulf Coast, Gulfport has an Old Florida waterfront district, a nice beach and a bohemian vibe. Oceanfront sands are just three miles away.
Beautiful, seductive Sonoma is tucked amid rolling farmland and fertile vineyards in the heart of California's wine country and boasts a Colonial ambiance, exquisite homes, a lovely square, stylish shops, art galleries, an international film festival and more.
Nestled in breathtaking scenery in remote southwestern Colorado, trendy, touristy, laid back Telluride rests in a forested box canyon and is famous for its festivals and champagne powder.
A classic, unhurried beach town along the mainland and a barrier island on the southern North Carolina shore, Oak Island has 10 miles of sparkling sand, tasty waterfront eateries, a sea turtle sanctuary, a farmers' market, stilt homes and more.
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, a fun boardwalk and reasonable costs.
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.
Picturesque, touristy Solomons Island is a historic waterfront resort with a lovely boardwalk, 10 marinas, the Calvert Maritime Museum, a mature demographic and more.
The quaint little college town of Due West is in South Carolina's Upcountry, an area rich in Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Neighborhoods are leafy, well kept and peppered with historic homes.
Tucked in a peaceful valley and surrounded by mushroom farms, Kennett Square is steeped in history. Its leafy neighborhoods are stocked with prim homes, and the downtown is cute and touristy.
A quiet town on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga in east central Florida, St. Cloud has nicely tended neighborhoods and a cute downtown with brick streets.
Tucked along Alabama's central shore, touristy Gulf Shores has a relaxed atmosphere, outstanding golf courses, deep sea fishing and miles of sparkling, sugar-white oceanfront beaches. It is also a "snowbird" magnet.
On Oregon's stunning southern coast, Brookings has quiet beaches, an attractive downtown, a farmers' market, art galleries and the ever popular Winter Art and Chocolate Festival.
Lincoln sits in gently rolling hills in southeastern Nebraska and has a university, tree lined neighborhoods, a historic downtown, 125 parks, reasonable prices and more.
Little Carrabelle sits on the Florida Panhandle and has a long, authentic waterfront, a quiet unspoiled beach, an island only reachable by ferry and wilderness all around.
Nestled in green, leafy northern Vermont, charming Stowe is known for its skiing, "granola" vibe and very cute downtown.
Just outside of Salt Lake City in pretty northern Utah, beautiful Bountiful is known as the "garden spot of Utah" and is a clean, quiet, safe city.
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 outstanding outdoor recreation and reasonable prices.
Snuggled in slightly rolling terrain around a chain of sparkling lakes in north central Florida, Clermont is a peaceful, welcoming place and has homes with boat docks.
Known for its gorgeous beaches and tantalizing blue-green waters, Jupiter boasts swaying palm trees, glistening pastel-colored buildings and an abundance of golf courses.
A funky old copper mining town and National Historic District in northwestern Arizona, Jerome is a tourist destination and home to an eclectic mix of people.
Spread across a peninsula on Washington's scenic mid-coast, salty Ocean Shores was once a Hollywood jetsetter hangout and today is a popular weekend tourist destination with six miles of beautiful beaches.
Tucked into beautiful rolling hills in north central West Virginia, lively Morgantown has an academic vibe, athletic events and theater performances, safe, leafy neighborhoods, an OLLI, reasonable prices and more.
Along Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Inner Banks, sleepy Cape Carteret has waterfront homes, marinas and an easygoing way of life. Oceanfront beaches are about eight miles away.
Beneath cloud-dappled blue skies on the high desert outside of Albuquerque in north central New Mexico, comfortable Rio Rancho is a safe suburb with planned communities, good restaurants and pretty views.
Along the Gulf of Mexico, pretty Bonita Springs boasts palm-lined lanes, canals, lakes, 50 or more golf courses and one of the nation's most beautiful beaches. Many residents are baby boomers and second home owners.
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. Neighborhoods have a rural quality and prices are reasonable.
A friendly, high altitude hamlet beneath giant blue skies in western Wyoming, Evanston started out with the railroad and has a historic downtown, quiet neighborhoods, reasonable prices and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Safe, suburban and diverse, bustling Virginia Beach sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay on the southern Virginia coast and boasts a long boardwalk and miles of beautiful beaches.
Originally a stagecoach stop on the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike, comfortable White House is outside of Nashville and is a rural, residential place, peppered with tall trees, green spaces and brick homes.
Morro Bay is a mellow, beachside town on the Southern California coast and has a fun Embarcadero with sunning sea lions, an outstanding farmers' market, an Art in the Park festival, a seaside golf course and an iconic rock.
Leafy, leisurely Statesboro is about three hours from Atlanta and an hour from the coast in southeastern Georgia and boasts an academic vibe, sporting events, a fun shopping district, a beautiful arts center and reasonable prices.
Niceville, once known as Boggy Bayou, is a nice town tucked along the Choctawhatchee Bay on Florida's western Panhandle coast and has a fun farmers' market, a free gardening program and beautiful oceanfront beaches just across the bay.
Nestled in Idaho's beautiful Panhandle, scenic Post Falls sits along the Spokane River and has safe neighborhoods, riverfront homes and a bounty of outdoor recreation.
Once a pirate haunt, popular Surf City sits in the middle of Topsail Island on the southern North Carolina coast and boasts boardwalks, oceanfront homes and miles of white sand beaches.
Isle of Hope sits on Georgia's northern coast and is an enchanting little waterfront town with elegant manors, canopied lanes, a picturesque marina and an unspoiled beach.
Clean, pretty and prim, Madison sits along the Ohio River in southeastern Indiana and has a beautiful historic district, lovely homes, a large arts festival, tasty eateries, wineries and reasonable prices.
In pretty north central Florida, Eustis is a charming lakeside town with red brick sidewalks, a lovely downtown and plenty of places to watch the sun set over the water.
At the base of majestic Pike's Peak in central Colorado, scenic Colorado Springs boasts an excellent hospital, an award-winning senior center, an attractive downtown, tons of fun touristy things to do and more.
Touristy, laid back St. Pete Beach sits on Florida's Gulf Coast and is known for its miles of sparkling white beaches, unspoiled sand dunes and resort hotels.
A peaceful, casual place with mountains on its east side and seven miles of often empty beach on its west side, scenic Rockaway Beach is a world unto itself.
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.
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. It has a nice beach, an artists' cooperative, a marionette theater, a nature conservancy and more.
On the edge of pretty Arcata Bay in scenic northern coastal California, Arcata is a very laid back, "granola" kind of place with a university, a forest and a wildlife sanctuary. Mountains, rivers, wild beaches and huge stands of old growth redwoods are just outside of town.
Pretty Gloucester is tucked along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and brims with history and stately homes. Locals enjoy a farmers' market, abundant festivals, art exhibits, three marinas and more.
On the edge of pretty Arcata Bay in scenic northern coastal California, Arcata is a very laid back, "granola" kind of place with a university, not to mention a forest and wildlife sanctuary. Mountains, rivers, wild beaches and huge stands of old growth redwoods are just outside of town.
Brimming with wisteria, camellias and azaleas, Magnolia Springs is known as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama. It sits at the headwaters of the Magnolia River and has its mail delivered by boat.
Ormond-by-the-Sea is a soothing barrier island residential community on the northeastern Florida coast and has a colorful oceanfront beach, three nearby state parks and somewhat reasonable prices for a beach destination.
Pretty Gloucester is tucked along Mobjack Bay on the southern Virginia coast and brims with history and stately homes. Locals enjoy a farmers' market, abundant festivals, art exhibits, three marinas and more.
Along a series of bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs boasts a rich Greek culture, a charming tourist area with an eclectic collection of shops and two nearby oceanfront beaches.
Sandwiched between Tampa Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway on Florida's Gulf Coast, Largo is dotted with lakes and has a bustling downtown. Nearby sparkling oceanfront beaches include Maderia Beach and Redington Beach.
Originally the gateway between the U.S. and the Texas frontier, inviting, historic Nacogdoches is in leafy East Texas and boasts a university, the state's largest azalea garden, nearby lake recreation and reasonable prices.
Outside of Phoenix in sunny southern Arizona, lively Tempe is home to the University of Arizona and has a trendy downtown district, a bounty of events, a destination shopping center, plentiful golf courses and more.
On the southern end of a two pronged peninsula of the same name, mellow Merritt Island sits along the Florida Space Coast and is near 140,000-Acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the stunning Canaveral National Seashore and six miles of sparkling oceanfront beaches.
Half way between Kansas City and St. Louis, Fulton has been named one of America's coolest small towns and has a charming downtown with brick streets, two small colleges and very reasonable prices. Tucked on a barrier island along the southeastern Florida coast, Juno Beach is a tranquil residential place with a top rated golf course and a long, clean oceanfront beach snuggled against warm blue waters. Quiet Arkadelphia sits along the Ouachita River in southwestern Arkansas is a friendly place with reasonable prices, two small universities and nearby lake and mountain recreation. An established beach resort on North Carolina's Outer Banks, touristy Nags Head boasts colorful eateries, art galleries, stilt homes and a long, beautiful strip of sand. Along Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Inner Banks, sleepy Cape Carteret has waterfront homes, marinas and nearby fun festivals. Beautiful oceanfront beaches are about eight miles away.
Beneath cloud-dappled blue skies on the high desert outside of Albuquerque in north central New Mexico, comfortable Rio Rancho is a suburb with planned communities, good restaurants and pretty views.
Lush, offbeat Eugene is about an hour from the rugged Oregon coast and draws retirees with its academic vibe, stimulating museums, great eateries, numerous wineries and green, lush cityscape. It also has an OLLI. South of Houston in southeastern Texas, little Surfside Beach is a mellow seaside village with a four mile long white sand beach, a boathouse as its city hall and somewhat reasonable prices. Sleepy Flagler Beach sits on the northeastern Florida coast and started out as a remote fishing village. Today it has a funky, mellow vibe and boasts six miles of gorgeous white oceanfront beaches. Lovely Swarthmore is home to small, prestigious Swarthmore College in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a cute downtown, leafy neighborhoods, a popular co op and an understated collegiate vibe.
Just across the Sound from beautiful Santa Rosa Island and a national seashore on the western Florida Panhandle, friendly, suburban Mary Esther is close to mesmerizing white sand beaches perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing.
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. White sand beaches are less than an hour away.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina On a barrier island of the same name, beautiful Hilton Head Island is a popular tourist destination and boasts elegant homes, world class golf courses, pretty beaches and fun events.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Culpeper is a cute town with wineries, a historic, well-kept downtown and leafy neighborhoods with red brick sidewalks.
Nestled along the magnificent Snake River in south central Idaho, Twin Falls is relaxed place beneath cathedral blue skies and is known for dramatic Shoshone Falls, a nearby series of waterfalls that are actually taller than Niagara Falls.
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. It has a nice beach, an artists' cooperative, a marionette theater, a nature conservancy and more.
Peaceful, leafy Lakeland is known as Swan City for its dozens of beautiful Mute Swans. It also has a nice downtown, 38 named lakes and a way of life that revolves around the water.
Laid back and quiet, Indialantic sits on a barrier island along Florida's Space Coast and has a long white sand oceanfront beach, clear warm waters, a fun boardwalk, an art festival and more.
On the shores of sparkling Lake Conroe outside of Houston in southeastern Texas, Conroe is a fast growing place with wooded neighborhoods, a nice downtown, a country vibe and reasonable prices.
Charming and touristy, 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."
In the heart of the Uwharrie Mountains in the middle of North Carolina, Asheboro is a nice little town with a popular zoo, a touristy vibe and very reasonable prices.
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 tourist and "snowbird" destination, sun drenched Yuma sits along the Colorado River in southern Arizona and has a nice historic downtown, water recreation, fun festivals and reasonable prices.
Both a barrier island and a beach town, Tybee Island is an idyllic vacation destination with an iconic lighthouse, dramatic sand dunes and three miles of white oceanfront sand.
Wedged between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, little Briny Breezes is a mobile home park and an incorporated town with a beautiful, uncrowded oceanfront beach.
Tiny Cedar Key sits on a small barrier island off Florida's Big Bend coast and has a fun downtown, a beach, pelicans on the pier and a seductive "ends of the earth" feeling about it. T-shirts and flip flops are standard attire. Compact, colorful and tucked into Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye, mellow San Pedro is a tourist destination with the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere, long white beaches and swaying palm trees. Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii Sprawling, rural, rustic Hawaiian Ocean View Estates sits on the Big Island of Hawaii and is bordered by water and a forest preserve. The ocean views are simply amazing and homes are reasonably priced.
Peaceful Newport sits near Bogue Sound on North Carolina's Crystal Coast and has a country seaside vibe with reasonable housing costs. Oceanfront beaches are just across the Sound.
Nestled on the shores of pretty Lake Chatuge in northern Georgia, scenic Hiawassee is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and two national forests. 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. Laid back and quiet, Indialantic sits on a barrier island along Florida's Space Coast and has a long, soft oceanfront beach, clear warm waters, a fun boardwalk, an art festival and more.
Outside of Washington, D.C., Culpeper is a cute town with wineries, a historic, well-kept downtown and leafy neighborhoods with red brick sidewalks.
Peaceful Ocean Springs sits on Mississippi's east Gulf Coast and has a nice stretch of sugary white sand with a lovely boardwalk. Opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating abound.
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 amid heart-stopping scenery on beautiful Puget Sound, laid back Olympia boasts water and mountain views, a picturesque waterfront, fun downtown events and leafy neighborhoods.
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.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida A laid back barrier island town along the southeastern Florida coast, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has a long stretch of oceanfront sand, "beachy" shops, nesting sea turtles and a bohemian vibe.
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.
Home to the University of Virginia, leafy Charlottesville is a lively city with a rich history and academic stimulation. Locals enjoy festivals and fairs, galleries and museums, wine tasting tours, college athletics, an OLLI and more.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida A laid back barrier island town along the southeastern Florida coast, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has a long stretch of oceanfront sand, "beachy" shops, nesting sea turtles and a bohemian vibe.
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. In gently rolling northeastern Kansas, leafy Manhattan is home to Kansas State University and often lands on "best places to live" lists, thanks to its lively ambiance and reasonably priced housing.
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!
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina On a barrier island of the same name, beautiful Hilton Head Island is a popular tourist destination and boasts elegant homes, world class golf courses, pretty beaches and fun events.
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!
Peaceful Ocean Springs sits on Mississippi's east Gulf Coast and has a nice stretch of sugary white sand with a lovely boardwalk. Opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating abound.
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. On the beautiful, rugged Maine coast, Boothbay is a salty old fishing village with a working class sensibility, a touristy boardwalk and lovely homes in wooded neighborhoods.
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!
Surrounded by towering peaks in scenic central Colorado, hip, historic Salida is a colorful town with abundant outdoor recreation, a creative arts district, all sorts of fun events, soothing hot springs and more.
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. Highland Beach, Florida 12/11/21
| Easton, Maryland 12/12/21
| Center, Alabama | Guntersville, Alabama | Arkadelphia, Alabama 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 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?
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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.
Latest In Depth Review: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?
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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