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and part reality (Can you afford it?).
But dreams can come true when you bring those two worlds together.
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Theyll flock here for the main attraction (you) and so much more.
This is a never-met-a-stranger community.
People encourage you to be part of things bigger than yourself.
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- Bob Corker
While the city is perfect for guests, it seems specially made for you.
This is a never-met-a-stranger community, says former U.S.
Senator Bob Corker, who served as Chattanoogas mayor and chose to return.
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People encourage you to be part of things bigger than yourself.
There are no age barriers, she says.
Its like one big family, and we are here to stay.
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TheHarvey W. Smith Watercraft Centeroffers classes on constructing everything from paddleboards to prams and other vessels.
Also consider that 60% of Beaufort residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
My wife, Betsy, told me shed know our perfect retirement town in five minutesit only took two.
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Sometimes we watch yachts on the Intracoastal Waterway.
It never gets old.
This is a shorts-and-sandals town where volunteer-driven festivals contribute to charities.
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When we arrived, we didnt want to change a thing, Cartier says.
Beaufort gives you an opportunity to live life.
I found 21 pages of activities, and Im trying to knock them all out.
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- Dave Dalton
So what can you do in this little town in southwestern Virginia?
For starters, hike easy or straight-up-the-mountain trails.
Fly-fish for trout in the South Fork Holston River.
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The renownedBarter Theatre, thriving at age 90, is polished, professional, and open year-round.
See productions of To Kill a Mockingbird, Clue, and Misery this month alone.
Theres even theCollege for Older Adults, pickleball culture, and golf galore.
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While Daltons electronics business used to take him around the world, Abingdon feels like home now.
Mississippi sweetens the pot with low taxes.
Thats cause for celebration in this waterfront town that has a festival practically every month.
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(The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival in November is the states largest art-and-food event.)
But what I like best is that we are a community, not just a town.
And theres a lot to learn, starting with gneiss (pronounced nice).
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When she transplanted from Florida, Zellner embraced bluegrass music after hearing dulcimers for the first time.
Now she looks forward to summer concerts in the park and the return of the snowbirds.
Theres not a day that I dont wake up and say Im grateful I live in Blowing Rock.
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I want to stay for the rest of my life.
Theres a lot packed into this town that covers just over 3 square miles.
Come forWinterfestand skiing in colder months, theTrout Derbyin spring, and theBlowing Rock Charity Horse Showin summer.
I want to stay for the rest of my life.
Its not so strange in Greenville, where happiness comes by the bite.
With a median home value of $349,300, the city sustains its high-end eateries with dedicated diners.
The number of restaurants has doubled since we moved to town, says Butler.
We have traditional, grab-and-go, and international spots plus so much more.
Its all good, and area chefs and restaurants have the James Beard Award recognition to prove it.
Beyond food, Greenville fuels newcomers calendars.
Furman University invites the 50-plus crowd to participate in OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) experiences.
ThePeace Centerand theGreenville Museum of Artwill stimulate your mind as a visitor or as a volunteer.
Butler, with a professional background in finance and accounting, has found his own niche.
Now Im board president.
Thats how it goes in this city.
Each showcases flavors from local chefs and gives back to a variety of good causes.
Walk downtown to meet people from somewhere else while still feeling right at home.
Every time we go on a trip, it just feels so good to come back here.
Or volunteer at the lavishLightner Museum, home of fine art as well as Tiffany lamps and Victorian instruments.
Im amazed that people dont even look their age.
Maybe it really is the Fountain of Youth.
While Thomas picked the World Golf Village, there are plenty of communities to choose from.
Im amazed that people dont even look their age, reflects Thomas.
Maybe it really is the Fountain of Youth.
The police report in the newspaper is usually limited to the occasional barking dog.
Getting from one end of town to the other takes about 15 minutes.
Forget cookingmore than 100 restaurants range from posh to pancakes (most are mom-and-pop eateries).
Enjoy the prices, too, since Eureka Springs median home value rings in at $182,900.
Add some extra time because youre sure to fall into conversations wherever you go.
Savor quiet moments insideThorncrown Chapel, designed by famed architect E. Fay Jones.
For fishing, theres trout-filled White River or smallmouth bass in the Kings River.
Bike trails lace the tiered landscape.
Thats exactly what brought Susan and Chris Gaines here.
While were very active, Chris says he was born to retire.
Sometimes its just nice to sit on the porchweve got three."
Maybe youd prefer Nordic walking, film noir, stamp collecting, or yoga?
Retiree Susan Bottom teaches history topics.
Her classes have waiting lists, and her fans say she brings the past to life.
Moving to Lexington itself widens the learning curve.
I saw Paul McCartney at Rupp Arena, says Bottom.
I knew Lexington was a good decision going in.
And I feel passionate about the subjects I teach.
Its honestly a hoot.
Note: TheOLLI programoperates at 125 colleges and universitiesat least one in every state.
We loved Savannah from day one, says Cyndi.
Chuck is retired from the Air Force.
What the couple quickly learned was that living in a popular destination is different from visiting.
Thats a positive, says Cyndi.
Who can complain about trees draped with Spanish moss?
We love the homey feel; its like a small town.
“Who can complain about trees draped with Spanish moss?
We love the homey feel; its like a small town.”
An active festival season ranges from jazz and opera to a fun St. Patricks Day parade.
Now there are 22 that are green and inviting.
Carefully tended historic houses and cultural offeringsfrom the Telfair Museums to the Savannah Philharmonicplease eyes and ears.
Their other activities include walks in Bonaventure Cemetery and quick trips to nearby Tybee Island for sunrises.
The cost of living is pleasing, too, especially with the median home value of $170,500.
Yes, the day I sold my snowblower was great, says Chuck.
Were never leaving."
Indeed, at theU.S.
With a low unemployment rateless than the national averageHuntsville rings with vibrancy.
TheIntuitive Planetarium, at 8K resolution, is one of the Souths best.
Find peace exploring flowerinfused ecosystems and the Purdy Butterfly House at theHuntsville Botanical Garden.
Theres so much going on.
Straight from the Pentagon to Huntsville, Boles is now an author and executive-leadership coach.
you’re free to find what you needand pay less for it.
His The Torment of Saint Anthony resides at theKimbell Art Museum.
Then relive blasts of retro color with Andy Warhols 1970 work Flowers at theModern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
The fine arts mingle with the Western vibe of this locale.
And thats what a good city does wellit delivers the best.
The nearly 300 parks are elegantin fact, 62% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of one.
There, you could hear your neighborhere, your space can be open and pretty.
Beth Stevens sought something California couldnt easily offer.
I always said that if I left home, I wanted land, she says.
There, you could hear your neighborhere, your space can be open and pretty.
She also enjoys Fort Worths feel.
In Los Angeles, you have to dress the part, she says.
Now I can just go out as I amand thats good.
