One of the nation’s top tourist and retirement communities is Santa Barbara, California. Located about 85 miles north of Los Angeles, this charming mission city on the Pacific, has done a superb job of preserving its heritage and creating a livable, modern city. The graceful adobe architecture of the Spanish Mission style is everywhere - from the historic Mission Santa…...

Colchester is an interesting small town in central Connecticut of about 15,000. The population is growing and average income and home values are higher than the CT average - indicating that the town is doing well. Its location is east and a bit south of Hartford.  Consumer Reports has its headquarters here. Other residents tend to commute to Hartford, Middletown,…...

Apex is a fast-growing town of about 63,000(2021) that is just west of Raleigh, North Carolina. The population grew by 211% between 2000-2021 - an indication of its popularity as a retirement community. Apex's motto is "The Peak of Good Living".  The restored downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A recent visitor described it as…...

Whidbey Island in Puget Sound is connected by a bridge to the mainland of the State of Washington. It is the largest island in the contiguous United States. The major towns in this island of 58,000 include Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Langley, Greenbank, Freeland.  It is a relaxing and charming place to live with a very moderate climate.  Because it is only…...