Towns, Communities, Real Estate, Taxes and More

Tucked atop the lush Cumberland Plateau in pretty southeastern Tennessee, cozy Sewanee is a peaceful college town with safe neighborhoods, festivals, conferences and more.

Towns

Some towns are defined by their streets and buildings. Others are shaped just as much by what grows between them. These five places are known for their gardens and parks —green spaces that invite you outside. 

From the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the tropical paradise of Hawaii and the scenic cliffs of California, the U.S. is home to beach towns with stunning crystal-clear, blue-green waters. Here are five.

The United States is dotted with inviting mountain towns with breathtaking natural scenery. Among the most captivating features near these towns are waterfalls—some easily accessible, others hidden gems tucked into the forest. 

A laid-back community on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Hernando Beach is laced with canals. Every home sits next to water, and most have a boat dock.  Oceanfront beaches are just down the road.

On Maine’s southern coast, Portland is known for its artsy vibe, outstanding restaurants, charming downtown and picturesque working waterfront.  Locals enjoy a symphony, an art museum, a theater company, a beach and more.

Once a cotton producing hub, today Matthews is leafy and well-tended with a cute, old-fashioned downtown, a weekly farmers’ market, fun festivals and more. 

Communities

Outside of Phoenix in southern Arizona, Province is a resort-like community with single family homes and town homes. Amenities include a large Tuscan-themed clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis courts, fishing ponds, a ceramics studio, a computer lab and more, not to mention a bounty of events and activities.

A lush, soothing lakeside community at the base of the base of the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, Rarity Bay has single family homes and attached homes. Amenities include a swim and tennis club, a golf course, a lovely clubhouse and ten miles of shoreline.

Coastal planned communities are designed around access to the water rather than just close proximity to it.  Marinas, docks, boardwalks, and shoreline are incorporated from the beginning, making water a part of everyday life.  

Relocation

Moving to a new town often involves more than packing boxes and hiring a mover. The logistics, decisions, and emotional load can add up quickly.  Fortunately, services exist to  help older adults manage the process.

Transferring your medical life is one of the most important parts of a move.  Doctors, prescriptions, insurance plans, and records don’t automatically follow you.

One of the most common worries people have after moving to a new town is whether they’ll find a sense of community.  Here are a few tips to help.

Florida

Decades of in-migration, predictable demand, and a regulatory environment have allowed age-targeted development to bloom in Florida. The result is choice.

White fairy tale castle with blue roofs in amusement park in Orlando against bright sky on sunny day

Downsizing is part of almost every retirement move to Florida, but it’s rarely just about square footage. 

Real Estate

Most homes can be adapted to support aging safely and comfortably. The key is making smart changes early, before small inconveniences turn into real risks.

These five American towns stand apart. They aren’t interchangeable, and they don’t look like anywhere else in the country.

Whether you’re renovating, building new or simply dreaming about your next update, these emerging design trends reflect the way people want to live now—and in the future.

Taxes

Check out these five states if you want to keep more of your money in retirement.

Flat lay of tax documents, calculator, and pencils on green surface.

What makes Florida such an appealing retirement destination for so many people? Yes, it’s beaches and year-round sunshine, but it’s also the state’s tax structure.

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I’m a long time reader of your different sites. You helped me choose Lynchburg as my retirement home. I still read your website even after making the move. Appreciate your insights.    ~Marcus Madden

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