Independence, Missouri is justly famous for a number of reasons. For one, this growing town of over 120,000 people was the starting point in frontier days for the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California trails. The National Frontier Trails Museum commemorates that history.  Harry Truman, one of America's most popular Presidents, hailed from here and indeed lived here in the home…...

McCormick is a very tiny town in western South Carolina near the Georgia border. Its population is about 1500.  McCormick is a very low cost place to retire. Its other attraction is the presence of Lake Thurmond, one of the county's largest man-made lakes. Photo of Downtown McCormick courtesy of Wikipedia and Evanoco, and photo of th Classical Revival Courthouse…...

Healdsburg is a town of about 11,000 in the Sonoma County, not far north of Santa Rosa.  Tourists come here for the food and wine as well as to bicycle through the hills and vineyards.  three of the most important wine-producing regions (the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley) meet in Healdsburg. The town is centered on a 19th…...

Austin, Texas is becoming a very popular retirement community for a variety or reasons. For one, it was selected by Money Magazine as the #2 best big city to live in. The University of Texas and its array of cultural and other activities is perhaps the biggest draw for Austin, its cosmopolitan and high-tech, quirky soul is another reason. UT…...