The Woodlands in Texas, about 30 miles north of Houston often makes the lists of "best" retirement communities, although many younger families live here as well. The reasons are obvious - the cluster of 8 master planned villages and a Town Center is attractive, pleasant, and has something to offer everyone. These master planned communities offer every type of housing…...

Stratford is an old Connecticut town of 51,000 on the Housatonic River north of Brideport. It is home to Sikorsky Aircraft and has a long tradition in aviation and defense manufacturing.  It was home for a long time to the American Shakespeare Theatre, which has unfortunately ceased operation. The town has several islands in the river and many nice beaches.…...

Eugene, population 158,000, has many attractions as a place to retire. For one, it is a vibrant college town; 17,000 students attend the University of Oregon here. It has the Cascade Mountain range for unlimited hiking, skiing and outdoor opportunities. The wild and rugged Pacific coast is just an hour to the west. The city, birthplace of Nike, is famous…...

Bethesda is one of the most affluent suburbs in the country, located just to the north of and bordering on Washington, D.C. The population is 60,000 and the median household income is over $135,000. Photo of An aerial view of National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, courtesy of Wikipedia and U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (public domain);…...