Where to Live or Retire: 7 Great New Places to Start Over or Settle Down

1. Live or Retire in PORT TOWNSEND, WA

Resembling a town frozen in time, Port Townsend is a historic Victorian seaport sandwiched between the Cascade Mountains to the east, the Olympics to the west, and the Olympic National Forest to the South. Outdoor opportunities abound: fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, cross-country skiing at Hurricane Ridge, sailing through the San Juan Islands, and hiking at Fort Worden State Park, home of a vibrant arts community. The quaint town of 8,700 has attracted writers, artists, holistic health practitioners and urban refugees from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. All this and less than half the rainfall of Seattle. What are you waiting for? 

Port Townsend, www.ptguide.com  or www.ptchamber.org  


2. Live or Retire in ASHEVILLE, NC

The college town of Asheville is located where the stately Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains meet. Best known for Biltmore Estate, the largest home in the United States, its lively cultural scene, short winters, and top-notch health care have attracted migrants from around the country. Known as a culturally rich city (bookstores, museums, galleries, coffeehouses), the town is also a New Age Mecca, filled with spirituality seekers, natural food markets, and alternative healers. And civic activism is strong; you'll find impassioned groups working to protect the environment. The Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible from the outskirts of town, offering a quick escape to fishing, mountain hiking, whitewater rafting and some of the best camping anywhere.

Asheville, www.exploreasheville.com  or www.asheville.com


3. Live or Retire in FAYETTEVILLE, AR