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…...

Glendale is a former farming town on the outskirts of Phoenix that in the years since WWII was overwhelmed by and became part of the huge Phoenix Megapolis.  The population has exploded to over 250,000.  During the last world war it hosted a training base for the U.S. Army AIr Corps, home to the Thunderbirds.  That base became the former…...

Santa Rosa, a town of 170,000, is the County Seat of Sonoma County.  That location puts it solidly in California's wine country and makes it a popular retirement community for baby boomers who enjoy wine and good food. The area is hilly with several nearby state parks. Outdoor activities and a slower lifestyle are also available here in plentiful supply. …...

Mesquite is an extremely popular retirement town in southeastern Nevada, almost in Arizona and Utah. Mesquite was originally settled by Mormons as a farming community in the Virgin River Valley. Casinos arrived here in the 1970's. The town markets itself as a low key alternative to Las Vegas. The population increased over 125%  between 2000 and 2020 (to about 21,000…...