In our first installment of this article, The College Graduate City Search, Part I, we offered suggestions for the factors to consider regarding your needs and priorities in the transition  from university life to post-college city. Now, we have assembled a list of our 10 favorite places for the recent college grad.

These cities are vibrant, youthful, and jam-packed with things to do for the young professional. They are doable, if not the most easily affordable, for the college-loan-burdened set, some with low costs for rentals and all with good average entry-level salaries. They are diverse, hubs of industry, cultural capitals, and the perfect places to start off fresh and launch your life.

Boston, Massachusetts Transitioning to this post-grad city will be a breeze; since it’s one of the country’s biggest and brightest college towns, you can feel at home in this very young city. It’s rumored that Boston sinks a little every September when the new school year starts. Education is easily one of the top industries, making Boston the perfect place for graduate students, young professors, and anyone who thrives in an academic environment. While rent and cost of living can be incredibly daunting, Boston reassuringly has a low unemployment rate. It also boasts excellent public transit, nearly 20 Fortune 500 countries, a boisterous sports culture, and great nightlife.

Average rent: $1,814

Top industries: health care, financial services, education, technology

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Seattle, Washington Information technology, including the internet giant Amazon, draws thousands of career seekers every year to the Emerald City. With a low average age of 36, Seattle is young and fresh. It’s a mecca for coffee and book lovers, as well as scenic and walkable. Seattle also boasts the best public library in the country. It’s certainly pricey, but rent can be found for cheaper than some other selections on this list.

Average rent: $1,517

Top industries: green industry/sustainability, biotechnology, software development and information technology

Washington, D.C. Those interested in pursuing careers in public service can’t do any better than D.C. Living and rent costs can be high, but to make up for it, so are the salaries. There are also plenty of free or very cheap modes of entertainment in the city, from museums to festivals. Public transportation is also excellent.

Average rent: $1,696

Top industries: information technology, government, defense

New York, New York No list would be complete without New York. NYC is chock full of singles, particularly young singles, who have long since dreamed of making the move to the States’ most famous city- and most likely, you’ll end up living with quite a few of them. New York’s astronomical cost of living means that bringing friends, or finding roommates once you arrive, is more or less necessary. Manhattan may be out of the picture, especially if you’re looking for the safety of a doorman building, unless you’re willing to sacrifice on neighborhood, comfort and space. More affordable options can be found in Brooklyn or Hoboken. Job-seekers in the arts, advertising, finances, and international business have some of the best chances of making it here.

Jesse, a Connecticut College graduate of the class of 2012, is working in Manhattan in the film industry. His advice: “For college graduates, living in Manhattan might help you forget the extent to which you miss college, but this certainly comes at a cost. It’s really hard to find another city that is as full of life and culturally stimulating. Unfortunately, finding an affordable living situation is stressful and you will most likely end up looking across the bridge. Everyone is different, but for me the best thing about living in Manhattan is the commute to work, which is a ten minute walk. It was worth it to me to give up space and neighborhood (I’m hugging the Lincoln tunnel) for a doorman building in Manhattan.”

New York is all about balancing your priorities.

Average rent: $1,789

Top industries: information technology, healthcare, financial services

Iowa City, Iowa, a bustling college town, is a top literary capitol of the US. The best and brightest writers can be found at Iowa writer’s workshops here. In this incredibly literate community, anyone not big on writing is almost certainly big on reading. You will be among good intellectual company in this small but growing city, where almost half of the population has never been married. There is a lively riverfront downtown and a popular pedestrian mall, so you’ll never be without something to do, and oftentimes with a scenic backdrop. Perhaps best of all, the rent can’t be beat.

Average rent: $816

Top industries: education, medicine

San Diego, California

California strikes again. The second largest city in Cali is great for young single professionals looking for perfect year-round weather, a world-renowned zoo, and plenty of different neighborhoods to explore; the Gaslamp Quarter, in particular, has a fun and youthful feel. There is a major US base on the waterfront and University of California at San Diego is the heartbeat of the community. San Diego can get pricey, so it’s all about the rent hunt. Urban renewal has been successful here in this vibrant city; while large, it has an intimately small-town feel.

Average rent: $1,431

Top industries: defense (U.S. Navy), education, health care, international business

Madison, Wisconsin

For entry level creative or professional positions, Madison has plenty to offer. This exciting university town of 41,000 students is a commuter’s dream, with 30 miles of always-cleared paved trails, walkable streets and a top-notch bus system. Madison is young, liberal, and both naturally and structurally lovely.

Average rent: $936

Top industries: state government, education, health care, technology

Atlanta, Georgia

The bronze-winning Atlanta is a home to many international businesses as well as world-class universities, museums, and performing arts centers. With a median starting salary of $43,000 ($8,000 above average) recent grads will be doubly blessed financially by a low cost of living. The winters are mild, the people are warm, and the coast is close.

Average rent: $855

Top industries: sales, health care, information technology

Houston, Texas

This cultural powerhouse has a dynamic museum district and boasts six performing halls in the downtown theater district, where nine major performing arts organizations have set up camp. If you’re okay with big (the largest city in the largest contiguous state), Texas is the 30 youngest city in the country, so with a population of 2.3 million you’re bound to be in lots of recent-grad company. Houston is also home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies; those interested in pursuing careers in energy should especially consider this big-hearted city.

Average rent: $910

Top industries: engineering, energy, health care

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is decidedly grand but assuredly manageable. Through great public transportation or by foot in a very walkable downtown, it is easy to explore the many corners of this vibrant city. Jam-packed with great bars, clubs, and restaurants, Chicago is at the top of the heap for nightlife. Museums, theater, and various other aspects of cultural life are also top notch. Like many cities, Chicago has a high crime rate – double the national average – so finding a safe neighborhood is key.

Average rent: $1,224

Top industries: marketing, sales, health care

What do you think of our top ten? Leave your comments below!

You can also check out some other great cities for singles.

A few million college seniors are entering the new year with the same realization: 2013 will bring one final semester before the glory days wind to a close and the so-called Real World beckons. One of the most important things to consider for the rising college grad is where to relocate for the beginning of their twenties. Leaving college means entry level positions fetching coffee, pushing mail carts, and working long hours for little pay – but it also means living in bustling apartments overflowing with friends, splurging on a night out at that new bar downtown, and getting to experience a brand new lifestyle in a brand new city.

Choosing where to go after a stint in Mom and Dad’s basement can be one of the most simultaneously stressful and exciting decisions of post-college living. To lessen the stress and heighten the excitement, we have compiled a list of things to consider before honing in any place in particular.

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How important is being close to home?

Before you go barreling out your front door, you should consider how long it will be before you’re returning next. While many college grads will have experience with time spent away from home while they’ve been at school, having the large and almost family-like support system of friends, faculty and staff is quite different from launching oneself into a new environment with a much smaller network of contacts – maybe even without knowing anyone at all. College does offer plenty of independence, but with the reliability and comforts of dining halls, laundry rooms, and dormitories full of friendly neighbors, very few recent grads have gotten a taste of life fully and completely on their own. Are you prepared to move hundreds of miles away from the comforts and familiar faces of your hometown, or would you like to be able to pop back home for the occasional weekend?

Are you following a particular industry?

If your career is your number one goal, scouting out the best cities for your industry should be near the top of your list. Those pursuing television production, for example, would do best to consider Los Angeles or New York over, say, Denver or Atlanta. Even areas not quite so obvious as Hollywood are hotspots for certain other industries. Whether you’re interested in software development, engineering, or public relations, certain cities are better for your field than others.

Who is living where?

You have probably been asking everyone already. Figuring out where your friends are going to be can help you start building your new network before you leave the old, especially if you’re a little hesitant about being far from home.Your social life and budding career could be particularly enriched if you were to consider a city or area to which alumni from your university typically flock. Meeting new people – at work, at the gym, in classes – is an exciting part of early twenties life, but it won’t be quite as fast or easy as it was in college. Determining which of your friends are thinking of the same city you are can lead to a motley crew of your past classmates piling into one very small (but doubtlessly very cheery) first apartment together, or at least having some of them close by.

What are your finances like? 

Especially if you’ve decided to take the plunge, pack up a couple boxes, and haul yourself across the country, a preemptive evaluation of your financial situation is (unfortunately) necessary. Do you have enough money to float yourself for a couple months at least, particularly if you’re heading to your new place without a job already lined up?

To have a better idea of how long you can sustain yourself financially, when deciding on your city pay attention to things like cost of living, unemployment rates, average salaries for your occupation, and the average percentages of income that renters spend on housing. Being on an entry-level salary with a thousand new expenses is hard enough without being in a city that’s financially crippling toward recent grads.

Will your stay be temporary or more long-term?

There’s nothing like experiencing a different part of the country when you’re young and free. If you’re still unsure of the industry into which you’ll be entering, why not try out a place you’ve always wanted to go – a hub of nightlife, or a cultural capital? If you plan on going to graduate school in another year or two, all the more reason to experiment and enjoy life pre- (most) responsibility since you’ll be picking up and moving on soon. You could try waiting tables in San Diego or Key West while working on your novel and fellowship applications in the evenings. There is no better time to live somewhere new and unexpected.

What’s your apartment strategy?

After you’ve figured out if you’re living with friends or seeking out roommates, consider ranking your apartment priorities. Is there a certain neighborhood you are dying to live in? Is price your biggest concern? Would you like roommates to be your rowdy new best friends or the quiet type who will leave you in peace? After these considerations, you should probably decide if you’re comfortable seeing a few pictures on a room on Craigslist and putting down a deposit, or if you’d rather see your new home and neighbors face-to-face before you commit. If it’s the latter, try out a hotel or youth hostel for about a week or so when you arrive and go see listings in person, as well as scouting out old-fashioned paper postings of apartments in places like churches and community centers.

Other generalities 

Cities with low average ages mean lots of other young people to befriend, and cultures and ambiances that are lively and youthful. Access to public transportation is another large plus for the fast-traveling, budget-attempting grad. And unless you’re planning on saving up some cash on tips or a temp paycheck for a year or two, it’s best to try and secure a job before graduation hits, especially if your budget is tight. Then, by the time you arrive, you have nothing to worry about besides picking out your Ikea furniture, navigating the metro, and deciding which spin class to join.

Choosing where to live on your own for the first time is a balancing act of dozens of different factors. Facts and statistics are important, but in the end you need to decide on the place that feels right for you. In the second installment of this article, The College Graduate City Search: part II, we’ll let you know some of our own 2013 top city picks for recent grads.

The benefits of gay-friendly cities extend far beyond the creation and maintenance of safe, exciting spaces for the LGBT community. These cities are generally liberal, or contain many liberal pockets and enclaves. They are oftentimes centers for progressive thought and activism, have plenty of resources for LGBT individuals and their friends, are brightened by art scenes in which the gay community is active, and are generally teeming with multiple forms of diversity.

We have assembled a list of some of our favorite gay-friendly communities, all with different cultural climates, but similar commitments to the flourishing of the LGBT community.

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Miami, Florida – Miami, the largest city in southeast Florida, has both a thriving beach network and LGBT community. The Design district is dotted with plenty of chic stores and restaurants. No longer just a party town, Miami has developed into a fashion-forward gem of Floridian living, with some of the state’s best adventurous nightlife.

St. Louis, Missouri – The historic gateway to the west was chosen out of 400 cities to be included in the book 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live. It hosted the First Annual Trans Family Picnic in 2010. St. Louis is the second largest city in Missouri and home to plenty of interesting, diverse neighborhoods filled with interesting, diverse people. St. Louis has one of the highest populations of gays and lesbians in the country.

Denver, Colorado – The Mile High City is famous for outdoor recreation and youthful, liberal, gay-friendly flair. The Denver Pridefest celebrates and promotes the LGBT community, while the gay lifestyle is generally supported in the many clubs, bars and organizations in the city. A new Gay and Lesbian Center and plenty of gay public officials make LGBT culture a simple part of life here.

Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta is a relatively liberal center in widely conservative Georgia, a Southern favorite for gay communities. A Pride Festival is held every year in November. A Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is devoted to promoting gay-friendly businesses and gay life in general through economic means. Gay neighborhoods are all over the city.

Santa Fe, New Mexico – A smaller city that packs an incredibly strong cultural punch, Sante Fe is the gay capital of the southwest. Billing itself as the “City Different,” Sante Fe has a large collection of fabulous restaurants and museums. The Silver Starlight Lounge was nominated as a Top 60 bar by Out magazine. Sante Fe has the third largest art market in America.

Madison, Wisconsin – The LGBT jewel of the Midwest, Madison hosts a huge gay pride event every August. Gay nightlife here is superb, with plenty of clubs, restaurants and bars specifically for gays, though there are spots friendly to the lifestyle all over the city. As one of America’s most prominent and exciting college towns, Madison is a youthful and generally liberal community.

New York, New York – Our list would not be complete without ritzy, glittering New York, a world famous LGBT community. New York has had an exciting and long-lasting history; the gay community has been blossoming here even since the early 1900s. The diverse neighborhoods all have different ambiances, but are similarly united by a very liberal and progressive swing. Nightlife, especially for gays and livings, is arguably the most fabulous and wide-ranging in the country. Some of the most prominent gay artists, musicians, and politicians have come out of New York, and many still reside there.

Palm Springs, California – Famous for its openness to the gay community, “The Playground of the stars” is a beautiful Los Angeles getaway filled with specific gay resorts and brightened by a fun, glamorous beachy lifestyle. Due to its increasingly vibrant gay culture, a survey by gays and lesbians and 2006 placed Palm Springs as their tenth favorite gay-friendly US city. Diverse, funky and upscale, Palm Springs has plenty to offer for every taste, whether gay or straight.

Seattle, Washington – The average age here on the Pacific seaboard is 36, making Seattle a very young and gay-friendly city. The prestigious University of Washington also helps give this city a very upbeat and cosmopolitan feel. Seattle is a famous art town, charming and industrious all at once.

Washington, D.C. – The nation’s capital is bursting with a fun, youthful, and generally liberal vibe. D.C. has an enormous and passionate LGBT community. Gay individuals looking for a city bursting with progressive political action will find all they want and need when it comes to activism here. Single members of the LGBT community will find a vibrant, swinging nightlife – from nightclubs to health clubs, there are plenty of places to meet new people with varying sexual identities.

For more of our favorite LGBT-lifestyle-friendly communities and cities, check out LGBT listings within Arizona, Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania.

You can also glance through all of our LGBT listings.

Comments: For those in the LGBT community – where are your favorite spots in the country? Do you have any comments about our selections? Leave your thoughts and opinions below!

Cultural capitals are such marvelous places to live because by their very definition, they have something for everyone. These cities teem with fast-paced and wild nightlife for those who like glamorous adventure. Artsy types will find solace among some of the best stationary and traveling art collections in the world. Lovers of music get a chance to experience world-class opera, jazz, rock and pop on a weekly basis. Perhaps best of all, there is always something exciting around every corner, whether it’s a guided walking tour or a continuing education class at a local school.

While the United States offers a broad, eclectic array of fascinating cultural towns, below are our top ten very favorites, best places to live for culture.

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1. New York, New York An obvious but necessary addition to our list, New York is arguably the cultural capital of the world. From the artsy enclaves of Williamsburg to the ritzy glamor of the upper East side, New York runs the entire cultural gamut. Broadway, famously beautiful parks, restaurants for every taste and budget, and more museums than you could visit in a month – the Big Apple has it all.
2. Washington, D.C. This cultural capital doubles as the nation’s capital. An electric, intriguing blend of collegiate academia from some of America’s top colleges, political pep, historical splendor and fabulous nightlife, D.C. is an endlessly interesting city. A great collection of extraordinary museums, from the Smithsonian to the National Aquarium, provide educational fun year-round (and many of them, like the Hirshhorn, are free!). History buffs will be ridiculously happy here. The city streets are beautiful and clean. While it is on the expensive end, D.C. is a fabulous town for culture.
3. Chicago, Illinois A friendly, charming Midwestern town with a cosmopolitan twist, Chicago is a cultural mecca. The art-gallery-dotted community is picturesque and strewn with lovely parks, while it is also a commercial and industrial haven. The Art Institute of Chicago is just one example of culture at its finest. Living here is very manageable with a top-tier public transport system. Shopping and sports are both excellent here, while the prestigious University of Chicago adds an intellectual and cultural boost to an already lively community.
4. Charleston, South Carolina For a dose of Southern-style culture, consider “The Holy City,” undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Charleston is filled with romantic, moss-draped Spanish oaks that line a mix of classic and eclectic streets. Charming town squares give the city a sense of homey, close community. History blooms around every corner. Charleston offers a little something of everything: lovely beaches, great museums (including the first in the Americas), preserved old plantations, chic art galleries and fun cafes.

5. San Diego, California Home to one of the world’s finest and most beloved zoos, there is plenty more to love about cultural life in San Diego. Theater and dance here are strong. The neighborhood of La Jolla, chic and exclusive, offers a wide range of great restaurants, galleries and shops. Waterfront splendor and the impactful University of California – San Diego add to the vast array of cultural highlights here.

6. Santa Fe, New Mexico Famous for its unique art and music scene, Santa Fe is a cultural gem nestled amongst the scenic and adventurous terrain of the Rocky Mountains. Canyons and gorges below complete the scene. The Spanish and Native American history here is both exquisite and immaculately preserved. Enjoy a wide variety of entertainment in its signature outdoor amphitheater, over a dozen museums, hundreds of fabulous art galleries, and a Georgia O’Keefe museum.
7. Seattle, Washington The cultural highlight of the northwest, Seattle is a walkable waterside city with everything from museums to dance to symphonies. Seattle has a soft spot for the literary life, the bookstores here are fabulous, and its new and gigantic City Library is the envy of every city in the world. The University of Washington, one of the nation’s top public universities, keeps Seattle young – the average age is only 36. Peruse the many art museums here, go see the opera, and enjoy international festivals involving film, theater and more throughout the year.
8. Houston, Texas Boasting the unofficial yet prestigious title of cultural capital of Texas, Houston’s museum district alone attracts over seven million visitors every year. This district is hardly alone in cultural excellence; the downtown theater district hosts six performance halls as well as nine major performing arts organizations. If museums and theater aren’t as much your thing, try science: Houston is nicknamed the Space City, since it’s home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
9. Denver, Colorado Perched among the majestic Rockies, the Mile High City has plenty of culture quirks. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a favorite. One of the city’s claims to fame is its fabulous theater; the Denver Performance Art Center is the second largest in the country. A tax specifically for Science and Culture help fund various projects throughout the city. The music scene here is active and varied, while the Botanical Gardens add to the extensive natural beauty.
10. Boston, Massachusetts  The city of the American revolution is a famously liberal and immensely historical cultural hotspot. Many of the streets are still cobblestone, making them both easily and enjoyably walkable, with various pieces of history strewn along almost every route. The Boston Arts Festival is a must-attend event. International musicians are always guaranteed to fly through Boston at least once a year. The T, Boston’s mass transit system, is just as reassuringly simple and efficient as you’ve heard. Restaurants and nightlife here are top-notch, especially since Boston is the quintessential American university town.

Small town cultural meccas.  You don’t necessarily have to be a big-city to be a world class cultural city, e.g. Santa Fe above. Other, smaller cultural capitals include Ashland, Oregon and its world famous Shakespeare Festival; Claremont, California with its 7 colleges; Sarasota, Florida and its many museums and performance theatres like the Asolo; not to mention so many college towns like Pittsburgh, PA that are filled with non-stop cultural opportunities.

While these ten are a fabulous assortment, there are plenty more cultural centers with unique and diverse elements. Check out our cultural centers in Florida, cultural centers in Oregon, and cultural centers in California for more great listings, or use our navigation to find the hotspots in your favorite state.

This “Best Retirement Places for the Arts” provides more ideas by type of art (sculpture, etc.). And so does its “Best Towns for Bookstores” feature.

Comments? Please leave your suggestions for the best places to live for culture below!

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As interviewed in the article, many of the residents in these communities are greatly saddened by these financial developments. SAGE reports that gays and lesbians are twice as likely to be living alone, and therefore have a greater need for the group support of a like-minded retirement community.  There are not many other choices when it comes to LGBT retirement communities.  Of course you can find gay-friendly towns on this site by using the Lifestyle pull-down menu, or go to our sister site, Topretirements.com.

Comments:
If you know. of some gay friendly places to retire, please let us know via the Comments section below

Who wouldn’t love living a beach lifestyle? Swimming, surfing, sun bathing, and other exciting water diversions are aplenty along lake and ocean coasts. From boardwalk classics, to sparkling seaside nightlife, to family-friendly relaxation and recreation, there is a plethora of different options when it comes to your own personal perfect beach town.

You’ve always dreamed of waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and walking out your front door to feel sand between your toes – the good news is that the distressed real estate market means that this is as good a time than any to find a beach-centric community that’s right for you.

The following are ten of our favorite American beach towns from across the country.

1. Traverse City, Michigan

Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Traverse City is especially popular for boating and fishing. Off the lake, activities include skiing and golf. Traverse City also has a lively, vibrant arts scene, a historic downtown, cute restaurants, and the campus of Northwestern Michigan College. Visit the Interlochen Center for the Arts for concerts, exhibits and theater productions year-round, any of 13 museums, and of course, all the fabulous beaches.

2. Cape May, New Jersey

With a lovely Victorian setting, Cape May is a popular fishing beach community. Offering boardwalks, classic inns, and quaint shops, Cape May is a typically enjoyable summer town – but is also offers a little something more. Check out the park & zoo, or enjoy an outdoor concert. The downtown is interesting, the exquisite collection of Victorian homes, and the festivals, from film to jazz, are aplenty. Birding is also popular here.

3. Provincetown, Massachusetts

Provincetown, the terminus of Cape Cod, is nestled along the bay side of the cape, facing a large harbor. The main street is lined with cute and interesting shops and restaurants. Miles and miles of beach extend along the Cape Cod National Sea Shore, a playground for swimmers, fishermen, and sunbathers. Festivals, whaling opportunities, museums, a bustling literature/arts scene, and a bright LGBTQ community add spark to this friendly beach community, just a ferry ride away from Boston.

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4. Rockport, Texas

Rockport boasts long stretches of clean beaches – one being Texas’s only certified Blue Wave Beach, making it one of the safest in the state. This makes Rockport a family-friendly beach town, great for kayaking, swimming and boating. Fresh sea food, entertainment and fishing abound on the Texas Coastal Bend. Rockport is surrounded on three sides by water, making it a beach-lover’s haven. Birdwatching is also a popular past time here.

5. San Clemente, California

As the former home of the Western  White House in the days Richard Nixon was president, millions of Americans became aware of San Clemente’s beautiful beaches. The town not only has endless beaches for legendary surfing and sunbathing, it has  an interesting downtown. It is located between Los Angeles and San Diego (2 other great beach towns!). The only drawback to San Clemente is sky high property values.

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is a rapidly growing community that offers fabulous shopping, golf and fishing. With more than 1800 restaurants, popular theater, and the Grand Stand, a sixty mile stretch of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Myrtle Beach is the idyllic beach town.

7. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hidden on the end of the Delmarva Penninsula, Rehoboth Beach is the classic, old-school American beach town. With a boardwalk named the best in the country, small town charm, reasonable prices, malls, and an active sailing community, Rehoboth Beach draws crowds by the thousands. Diverse, gay-friendly, golf-oriented, and brightened by a frequent farmer’s market, this beach town has something for everyone.

8. Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is an upscale resort community located along Mobile Bay. Popular for golf and its white sand beaches, Gulf Shores is near historic Fort Morgan. Compact, clean, and the epitome of beach life beauty, there is plenty to love about Gulf Shores. Since it is fueled by an active tourist industry, there are many great restaurants. There’s also a very low crime rate.

9. San Juan Islands, Washington

Some of the absolute best in American island living, the San Juan Islands consist of 450 unique, pleasant island communities. Though the water is chilly, the coastlines, beaches, and general scenery are exquisite. Outdoor activities are central to life here: hiking, kayaking, birding, boating, and whale watching are all popular. The one incorporated town here is a lovely historical fishing village. Small town charm and a national state park complete the Islands’ appeal.

10. Newport, Rhode Island

Home to one of the largest concentrations of historic homes and mansions in the country, Newport is a beach town with an interesting and rich cultural heritage. The downtown is beautiful and charming, with many seafood-inspired restaurants ranging from quaint snack shacks to fine seaside dining. Salve Regina University adds an upbeat, intellectual and youthful twist to the community. Shopping here is top notch. Enjoy a stroll around the cliffs through the backyards of the old mansions and miles of fine beaches.

Want to know more? Check out other beach communities in California, Florida, and Connecticut. Use our simple navigation tool at the left to peruse ocean-side living in your other favorite states.

Comments about your favorite beach towns? Please leave them below!

Take for example some of the new businesses that are totally  oriented towards bikers, most of which are located on incredibly busy commuter bike routes like North Williams Avenue:
- Eco Flats is a new rental apartment building with bike racks in the lobby, and bike friendly doors and entrances.  But it has no parking for cars

- The Hopwoods BikeBar is on the ground floor of Eco Flats. The new brewpub has bike locks and takeout food that fits bicycle water bottle holders. It’s located on a popular bike route.

- In the same North Williams district there is the Friendly  Bike Guest House, which features indoor parking for its guests’ bicycles.

- Builder D.R. Horton is building a 29 unit condominium in southeast Portland that targets bicyclists in its marketing campaigns.

- Killingsworth Station is a 60,000 sq.ft. mixed use project with bicycle parking on all floors, and a shower for its office tenants.

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As businesses roll forward with their plans to take advantage of the growing biker population, the city continues to make positive improvements for bikers with more dedicated bike lanes.  The Clinton Street bike boulevard is one of the big biking success stories in Portland.  Portland is definitely a trail blazer when it comes to biking, it will be interesting to see where this comes out in the next few years.

References:
Review of Portland

Great Biking Towns

America’s  Top 50 Biking Towns

Placer County Courthouse in Auburn, California, built in the late 1800's.

Tubac, Arizona (population >1000): This working artist’s community, located in an ancient Spanish fort, is a cultural gem of Arizona. In addition to being artfully rich, Tubac also offers outdoor activities like birding and hiking.

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Walla Walla, Washington (population 30,000): Home to Whitman College, Walla Walla boasts some lovely wineries and a beautiful downtown. This city is very livable: lots of tree-lined streets and pretty parks.

Franklin, North Carolina (population 4,000): Franklin is the southern gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and there are outdoor activities aplenty, from hiking and gem mining to fishing and kayaking. Plenty of services and shops make Franklin an ideal location.

Williamsburg, Virginia (population 14,000): This small town, a living museum, is dedicated to history, colonialism, antiques, and good, old-fashioned living. It’s located right around the corner from bigger-label entertainment, like Busch Gardens.

Beaufort, South Carolina (population 11,000): Just north of Hilton Head, Beaufort embodies Old Southern charm; part of it is a national historic landmark. Beaufort is known as “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands.”

Northampton, Massachusetts (population 28,500): Smith College gives the New England classic of beautiful, tree-filled Northampton a decidedly liberal slant. Tourists, residents and students create a lively and enjoyable downtown.

Auburn, California (population 13,500): Historical, naturally beautiful Auburn has over 20 recreational rivers, plenty of golf courses, and easy access to bigger California cities for further recreation. Since it’s located in wine country, there are many excellent restaurants.

What are some of your favorite small towns? Post your comments below!

1. Beautiful campuses

College campuses are oftentimes a lovely highlight to any community. Open campuses can offer scenic strolls or picnics. Wagner College in New York, New York is a lush, green paradise – a breath of fresh air amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Sarasota, Florida is home to the New College of Florida; with the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop, courtyards, and beaches, this campus is …stunning. Atlanta, Georgia is home to a variety of nice campuses, but Agnes Scott College, with its free-flowing design, trees, and flowers, has to be the nicest. Loyola Marymount University is a  gem of Los Angeles, with the typical white-and-brick architecture typical of California and dozens of palm groves. These are just a handful of America’s most beautiful campuses.

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2. Events nearby – and at reduced prices

One of the best things about college communities is the slew of events on campus: lectures, plays, dances, film screenings, and more. Oftentimes, many of these events are open to the public to enjoy.  With more departments, students, and faculty, the bigger schools are going to have the most to offer – typically universities over colleges. We recommend the communities of the Ivies for the biggest and best performers, lecturers, and overall entertainment. Try New Haven, Connecticut for Yale University; Princeton, New Jersey for Princeton University; Washington, D.C. for Georgetown University; Providence, Rhode Island for Brown University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the University of Pennsylvania; or Ithaca, New York for Cornell University. There’s nothing quite like being immersed in the exciting, amusing, and academic atmosphere of college for years on end.

3. Youthful atmosphere

College communities, in addition to oftentimes being lovely and exciting places, are also home to thousands of students who help keep the atmosphere lively and young. Austin, Texas, with its 50,000 college students, is a liberal haven in a conservative state. There’s a bustling college bar scene in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Probably the two most famous college towns are located on opposite coasts: Berkeley, California and Boston, Massachusetts embody the absolute epitome of college life, with multiple schools and engaging students who keep these communities two of the most youthful in the country.

The great thing about college towns is they are all different.  In some towns the campus is the center of the community, in others it is a delightful adjunct. They are all worth exploring.

What college towns do you like – or dislike. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave your Comments below.

For further reference:

Best College Towns for Retirement