This very affluent town of over 60,000 people is located a few miles west of Baltimore and just north of Columbia, Maryland. Historic Ellicott City is a lovely downtown area with antique shops,  restaurants,  boutique shops, coffee shops, a tea room and many historic sites.  The town has many parks and an affluent population, many of whom commute to Baltimore…...

Spokane is the 2nd largest city in Washington and one of the largest in the Northwest. It is located on Washington's eastern border with Idaho.  It is the cultural, social, and economic hub of this area, along with neighboring Coeur D'Alene.  The population is about 222,000 in 2020. Spokane has an active urban redevelopment history. The RiverPark Square Mall is…...

The Luberon is a southern region of France within Provence. The area lies among 3 mountain ranges. Vaucluse is a smaller region within the Luberon. it comprises many villages and towns that are especially beautiful - Russillon, Bonnieux, Oppede le Vieux, Saignons, Goult, and Gordes.  In fact of the 40 or so "most beautiful villages in France" denomination, about 10…...

San Buenaventura is a village near the southern (Pacific) coast of the beautiful and unspoiled country of Costa Rica (San Isidro del General  region). This area is near the beach, Ballena National Park,  and not far from the regional airport. For more about retiring to this beautiful country see our retirement guide to Costa Rica....