Berea, Kentucky makes an unusual and historic retirement community for active adults. It is not only one of the fastest growing towns in America (estimated 73% growth from 2000 to 2010), but it is also one of the most unusual small towns in the south. The town was founded by abolitionist missionaries in 1853. They established Berea College, a coeducational…...

History lovers will find Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tush), Louisiana to be an interesting retirement community. Located on the Cane River Lake, this charming southern town of 18,500 was the picturesque setting for the movie Steel Magnolias, starring Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine. An older movie set here is The Horse Soldiers with William Holden and the Duke, John Wayne. The town was…...

The title of the most artistic little town in west Texas would probably be awarded to Marfa. Marfa was actually named after Marfa Strogoff, a character in Jules Verne's novel Michael Strogoff. This little town of about 2,000 near the Big Bend is home to a vast array of artistic treasures, thanks to the efforts of Donald Judd. This minimalist…...

Dade City is a small town with an old-Florida feel that attracts plenty of retirees - 40 percent of the population is age  45 or older. Weeping willows and moss-draped trees render it a classically Southern small town. There is a comfortable, homey feel in this sunny, friendly community. Photo of courthouse courtesy of Ebyabe and Wikipedia, Licensed under CC…...