Portland, Maine (population 68,000) has had a dramatic resurgence over the last 20 years. Always an important port and manufacturing center, Maine’s largest city is an ideal retirement community – in fact it is often mentioned as one of America’s most livable small cities. It combines New England history (founded in 1632), a vital downtown centered on the Old Port…...

San Clemente is a town on California's Pacific Coast that became very familiar to Americans as the vacation home of former President Richard Nixon. His mansion became known as the Western White House. San Clemente is a beautiful town in Orange County south of Laguna Beach and Los Angeles, halfway between there and San Diego. The sea gives way quickly…...

Murphy and the surrounding area in extreme southwestern North Carolina is a great place for a second home or retirement, particularly if you are interested in a quiet and rural environment. This very small town (about 1600 people) is the county seat of Cherokee County. There are some restaurants and shops.   Downtown is small with tree lined streets and…...

Elkin is a small town of less than 5,000 people in northwestern North Carolina. It offers a lovely historic downtown district,a river view, wine Festival. Elkin is a small town with fantastic cost of living benefits,as well as extensive health care facilities. Elkin is about 45 miles from Winston-Salem, the nearest city. Photo of the Yadkin River as viewed upstream…...