Located in the Swannanoa Valley, Black Mountain is a recreational, homey town in North Carolina, not that far from Asheville. Hiking, biking, golf, gallery-hopping, and swimming are some of the main activities here. The town has a reputation as being an artistic town that attracts weekenders, vacationers, and retirees who tilt toward the liberal side. There is a nice downtown…...

Needham is a well-off suburban town of 29,000 near Boston.  It is home to the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, an engineering school.  A nearby town is Wellesley. Photo of Cutler Park, a state-owned nature preserve and public recreation courtesy of Wikipedia and Zenswashbuckler (public domain)....

Fairfield has a low crime rate, excellent public school system, suburban character, scenic location on the Long Island Sound, and proximity to New York City.  Many residents in Fairfield commute to New York, New Haven, and in between. It is an affluent area with average household income over $100,000. The population is just over 57,000....

Let's start by saying Lake Mary Florida is #4 on Money Magazine's Best Places to Live 2007 list. That list is aimed at a general, not a retirement, audience, but the basic appeal is here for all groups. Lake Mary, population 13,000, is particularly suited to people who want to retire to a place where family life and exposure to…...