When many affluent people think of Arizona, the first town that comes to mind is Scottsdale. The New York Times referred to it as the Miami South Beach of the west.  This fast-growing and well-to-do town was one of the first suburban outgrowths of Phoenix. Its setting in the desert  by the McDowell Mountains is spectacular. So is the infrastructure…...

Bagaces is a district in Bagaces Canton, in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. This district in northwestern Costa Rica's Pacific coastal region occupies a lot  of land but has fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. Principal industries include dairy farming, other forms of acriculture, and eco tourism. Costa Rica is perhaps the most stable and peaceful country in Central America, so…...

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…...

Salisbury is an interesting town and seaport on the Wicomico River on the Delmarva Peninsula. Its population is about 28,000 in 2008.  Salisbury is known as the "crossroads of the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) peninsula. The peninsula, somewhat off the beaten path because of its geography,  is popular with retirees for its more reasonable prices and laid back atmosphere.  Salisbury…...