It didn’t take long when starting my research for this article to be astonished at how much the average house increased in size from 1900 to the present. The average house size today is more than 2.5 times the size of the average house in 1900. What’s more remarkable is families on average, had more …
Best small towns to raise a family in every state There’s something about living in a small town, whether it be the sense of community, lack of crowded spaces, more options for outdoor fun, low crime, or just a less hectic daily pace. Now, perhaps more than ever, families are embracing the idea of small-town …
In May 2022, we moved. Within a week we received a DIY-looking printout in our mailbox that appeared to be created by a neighbor inviting us to join the neighborhood group on the NextDoor App. I had never heard of the app but thought it couldn’t hurt to join a neighborhood group online for updates …
I was not paid nor did I receive any compensation or discount for this write-up on the You Move Me moving company. I like to write about products and services I find useful. This is one such example. I’m just another regular customer of this moving company. We just moved houses (May 21, 2022). Talk …
Eureka is a town in the northern part of California. It has a population of about 27,002 people but the residents are not very diverse. As much as 78% of the population is white. When it comes to income, one can expect a median salary of about $47,530. The recent average value of a home …
Derry, NH is the perfect mix of small-town charm and amenities. Not only is it close to New Hampshire’s larger cities, like Salem and Manchester, but it’s also right along route 93, allowing residents to easily commute to Boston. It’s the fourth most populous state in NH, with a population of 33,109. Although the winters in …
Evergreen, Colorado is one of the most scenic towns in the Centennial State, which, considering that it sometimes feels like every town in Colorado is as pretty as the next, is saying a lot. Being surrounded by mountains and hills provides visitors with all the skiing and golfing that you would expect from a cozy …
Tucked away in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas, Eureka Springs has a population of just 2,166, and more than enough heart and personality to go around. Eureka Springs can trace its roots back to early American history when Native Americans and Europeans alike sought out its springs for their supposed healing powers. Nowadays, visitors can …
If you’ve never been to Arizona, you might think that Flagstaff is just dry and filled with plenty of desert land. While the state has plenty of deserts and dry regions, there is so much more for the adventure lover in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff originally became part of the US in 1848 …
Franklin, TN is not a town that everyone knows about like some of the biggest cities in America. Rather, it is its own unique place that some people are finally getting around to noticing. Fortunately, we have the scoop on Franklin, TN as well as towns that are similar to it. If you want a …
Forks, Washington sits on the Olympic Peninsula, where there are beaches and mountainous rainforests. It is home to constant rainy weather, where it rains a little over 200 days every year. Forks is also where the films and novels Twilight takes place. Since the popularity of the series began in 2008, the small town of …
Dillon, Texas doesn’t boast much more than Locust trees and Bermuda grass these days, but once it tried to be a small town thanks to Frank Dillon. Mr. Dillon built a blacksmith’s shop, kiln, and store in the 1890s, eventually running a post office out of his store. Unfortunately, now all you are likely to find 30 …
If you long for hospitality with a mix of old-world charm and the richness of wine country, Fredericksburg, TX and these 15 similar destinations will check all the boxes on your bucket list. More than 11,000 people call the scenic Texas Hill Country city of Fredericksburg home. Settled by German immigrants and built on the spirit of …
Estes Park, Colorado Nestled at the gates of Rocky Mountain National Park is the town of Estes Park. While many people use the town as a base-camp for adventures in the National Park, this picturesque community has more to offer. Whether you are looking for great dining options or downtown shopping, Estes Park has plenty …
Durango, Colorado Durango, Colorado is located in the southwestern corner of the Centennial State. Founded in 1881, the city relies mainly on tourism, and features access to skiing and a number of local festivals and museums. Many places across the United States offer tourists similar shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. While many of these towns …
Bend is in the Oregon mountains and is known for its proximity to volcanoes, caves, lakes, National Forest, and beer. It is big enough that people can find work outside of the tourism industry, including tech. Then after work, folks can ski, mountain bike, take a hike, or go climbing, depending on the season. But …
The United States of America is a large and stunningly diverse country. Among the great treasures of the nation are the many villages, hamlets, and small towns that dot its landscape. These towns exist on the coast and the prairies, in the mountains and flatlands. Cold Spring, New York is one such village. It is …
Dunedin is a small city on the West Coast of Florida that is known for its pristine beaches and gorgeous natural flora and fauna. With a low crime rate and high quality of life, Dunedin is a popular destination for vacationers, retirees, and young families. The city has a population of over 36,000 residents, making …
Cape May is the quintessential Victorian seaside town on the Jersey Shore. The town has a rich history that has been lovingly preserved, and it is dotted with quaint cottages, antique hotels, and beautiful yet subtle summer homes. With old-school traditions like saltwater taffy, family-owned stores, and cotton candy, it is the ultimate beach town …
Major cities get a lot of the glory, but nothing beats the charm of a midsize town. And while Doylestown, PA doesn’t get as much attention as Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, it does have a lot to offer. This borough has about 8,300 people as of 2019, so it’s not too big, but it still offers …
Founded in 1852, Daylesford is located in Victoria, Australia. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range at an elevation of just over 2000 feet, the town is home to just 2458 residents. Being just a 45-minute drive from Melbourne and with 35% of dwellings unoccupied, Daylesford could be a feasible option for those …
The town of Carmel-by-the-Sea in California is one of thousands of towns in the United States that are nestled along America’s 12 thousand miles of coasts. In any one of these towns you will find a unique history, a mysterious culture, and opportunities to relax and enjoy fresh sea air every morning and fresh seafood …
It’s no surprise that people love Cape Cod. This collection of coastal towns has something for everyone. It’s a popular summer destination that offers lovely beaches, excellent seafood, and interesting sites. Not all US coastal towns are on Cape Cod, though. Many other areas feature beautiful villages, lighthouses, history, and fun activities. The towns below have …
When you look for cities like the charming southern gem of Charleston, SC, you’ll have a tough time finding any that can match it feature for feature. Charleston offers a historic location that focused on preservation and allowed new building to foster the city’s growth. A strong business community ranges from local farmers who offer …
Bar Harbor, Maine, is the place for those that love lobster. There are millions of lobsters eaten in Bar Harbor each year. Tons of visitors flock to this beloved town every year for the fresh lobster and other seafood coming from the coastal water. While you can find lobster on just about everything, including ice …
Celebration, FL is a planned community. While most cities begin somewhat organically, planned communities are built intentionally. Celebration, FL was planned and built by the Disney Corporation in the 1990s. This community provides an example of New Urbanism, a movement that promotes walkable cities. Celebration has a relatively small population, with about 10,000 people. It …
If you’re as much of a fan of Gilmore Girls as I am, you’ve probably considered packing up your life, wherever it may be, and moving to Stars Hollow. Don’t we all want to live somewhere where there is a Luke’s Diner? There’s not much not to love about the cozy, laid-back town of Stars …
If you’ve immersed yourself in either the Virgin River T.V. series or the book series, chances are you’ve had a moment where you’ve considered escaping to the little town yourself. Who wouldn’t want this utopian life? The picturesque scenery, quirky but kind community, peace and quiet. The Virgin River television series is based on the …
Newport, Rhode Island, is where you want to be if you don’t want a snowy winter but still want that full-on Christmas celebration. You can take in the beautiful views on the boardwalk and have a cuisine experience that will have you jaw-dropping to the floor. Newport has enough things to do that will keep …
Each American small town has a characteristic appeal. Having fallen in love with a place, I’m often left wondering how – if ever – I could relive the affair elsewhere. With its history, culture, and natural endowment, New Hope evokes the same worry. We profile twenty-one towns that share some common features with New Hope, …
Montclair in New Jersey is where the eclectic arts lovers come for vacation or become proud permanent residents. The town has the perfect balance from excellent college amenities at the Montclair State University to a vibrant downtown that will have your hips shaking around the clock. Montclair, New Jersey, with its college facilities at Montclair …
Every town across the United States has something unique about them. If it’s rich in history or offers a promising future, no two towns are exactly the same. However, many towns across the States share some qualities. If it’s scenic attractions, a buzzing downtown vibe, or a good list of outdoor activities that will keep …
Towns that have nicknames are always guaranteeing an exciting time. When the town has a nickname like the “Jewel of the Maine Coast,” you are going to have an incredible time. Take a picturesque cruise on Penobscot Bay, go saltwater pier fishing from the roughly mile-long Rockland Breakwater, or take a boat journey to the …
Branson is one of those towns that take their Ozark hospitality very seriously. These residents pride themselves on offering a holiday experience that the family will never forget in summer and winter. Branson, Missouri, is a small town in the United States with a historic downtown and a passion for watersports and leisure activities such …
First inhabited by the Ute Indians, Aspen became a booming silver-mining town during the late-nineteenth century. However, this quaint mining town experienced a cultural revival with the arrival of Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke in the 1940s. The Paepckes presented “The Aspen Idea,” a vision for the town centered on the mind, body, and soul. Aspen’s …
Last summer we bought a vacation house. It’s a boat-access waterfront cabin (pictured above). It’s an old one-bedroom cabin. We didn’t buy it for the cabin. We bought it for the location and dock. It’s a summer house. Yeah, sure we’ll use the cabin of course but we’ll mostly be outside swimming, boating, hiking, lounging, …
Ann Arbor, Michigan’s culturally rich town, tops several lists of the best to live in. With the sound of jazz notes and the smell of authentic foods permeating the air, it’s easy to see why this student haven is so sought after. It is not the #1 city for student sports or #2 in the …
Within the span of 5 months, we bought two houses. The first was a summer vacation property and the other is our main family home. For the first, we did not hire a real estate agent. We worked with the seller’s agent. For the second purchase we did hire a real estate agent. Both purchases …
We have a large, finished three-bedroom in-law suite in our basement. We don’t rent our in-law suite out but we might in the future. I could be a decent source of income in retirement. As house prices increase faster than wages and inflation in many countries, in-law suites are more and more popular. With higher …
We recently bought a house that has a 3-bedroom rental suite in the walk-out basement (aka mortgage helper). In our neighborhood, it could fetch $2,500 to $3,000 per month. That’s a nice chunk of income given it’s turnkey; we don’t have to invest a nickel into getting it ready to rent. Despite the potential revenue …
Boulder, Colorado, has so much going for it. There are the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder, the Flatirons, over 20 craft breweries, museums, and galleries. Some people love it for its access to the great outdoors. Others appreciate the laid-back vibe and the intellectual spark. But what other places have a similar essence …
The proud capital of the Maryland State called Annapolis lies in Anne Arundel County. Founded at the mouth of the Severn River on the banks of Chesapeake Bay, the town is famous for its family-friendly vibe. Beautifully preserved architecture dating back to the late 16th Century surrounds Annapolis. Considered the world’s sailing capital and hosting …
Burlington, Vermont, is an eclectic college town with a dynamic arts scene. People here enjoy using their feet or bikes to get where they want to go. They love the outdoors, have cultural events, all while eating great food. Those looking for a similar town will yearn for that intellectual vibe and back-to-nature feel, with …
Boca Raton is an American jewel. From the heart of Florida’s marshland, it gleams glamour, luxury, and class. I’ve struggled to see how a city could balance understatement and luxury with such delicacy. But casting about, I’ve discovered enclaves of excellence that affect the same mix in their own way. We’ll tour twenty-one towns that …
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the winter wonderland, is a beautiful resort town in the Smoky Mountains, offering a plethora of outdoor activities and beautiful scenic views. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to cozy up for the winters. It’s. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a popular resort town nestled along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park border. …
With good food and beautiful maintained historical buildings, there are plenty of reasons people are proud to call Alexandria their hometown. As George Washington’s hometown, the city is known for its colonial history and well-preserved architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th Centuries. Alexandria, Virginia, is proudly rich in culture and history with …
The Byron Bay region on New South Whale’s North Coast is a treasure cove of natural delights, from World Heritage forests to idyllic beaches. Byron Bay is a hub of surf culture, organic cuisine, and adventure. Visiting Byron Bay is an absolute must for nature lovers. This cozy coastal town boasts kayaking, snorkeling, and …
Bluebell, Alabama, captured many hearts in the television comedy-drama Hart of Dixie. The fictional town was located only 5 miles away from the real-life town Fairhope, which some say was the inspiration for Bluebell. However, most of the show was filmed in L.A. So, where can you find some of that Bluebell charm in the …
Ashville has a classy but welcoming atmosphere. Asheville combines the benefits of a major city — excellent schools, art deco architecture, Mission Health, and Biltmore House, America’s largest residence and a genuine castle — with the warmth of a small town. If you are traveling, know that there are towns similar to the Ashville vibe. …
Nestled inside the state of Oregon is a college town called Ashland, Oregon. The picturesque small town is full of Victorian architecture, hipsters, hippies, yuppies, hikers, skiers, artists, craft beer, bookstores, and its famous Shakespeare Festival. Its laid-back liberal arts vibe is hard to replicate, but there are places out there that do have a …