I Crunched the Numbers to Uncover the 18 Towns With Ideal Communities for Retirees in Washington State (2025)

Finding the perfect place to retire involves considering various factors that contribute to overall quality of life. These metrics together provide a holistic view of what each community offers to retirees seeking their ideal home. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Washingtons best towns for retirees. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet The Overall Retirement Score has many criteria baked into it, reflecting the comprehensive nature of our evaluation process....

May 1, 2025 · 4 min · 713 words · Nicolas Adams

Idaho’s Housing Boom Left First-Time Buyers Behind

Idaho experienced a dramatic housing boom from 2018 through 2023. This was the steepest increase of any state during that period. These rapid gains far outpaced local incomes. Shutterstock Statewide, home values rose about four times faster than household incomes. With house prices so high relative to pay, affordability plummeted. By 2023, Idaho had become one of the five least affordable states for homebuyers. Many local families simply could not keep up with the cost of housing....

May 1, 2025 · 5 min · 943 words · Chelsea Freeman

Illinois First-Time Homebuyers Are at a 40-Year Low—Here’s Why

First-time homebuyers are those purchasing their first-ever home to live in. In Illinois, from 2018 through 2023, this group faced a rapidly changing housing market. Historically, first-time buyers make up roughly 40% of home sales in a healthy market. Shutterstock This was the lowest proportion of first-time buyers since the early 1980s and well below normal levels. Several factors drove this decline. At the same time, competition in the market was intense....

May 1, 2025 · 5 min · 926 words · Mary Grant

Introducing a 1 Bedroom 843 Sq. Ft. Cottage-Style Home (Must See Floor Plan Included)

The design integrates a convenient pantry next to the kitchen, while the bedroom offers ample closet space. I appreciate how the covered patio extends the living area outdoors, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The simple wooden buffet below a geometric mirror lends a touch of warmth and functionality. Architectural Designs – Plan 623370DJ The marble coffee table adds an elegant centerpiece, perfectly complementing the neutral tones of the room. I love how the stainless steel appliances complement the overall aesthetic, making this kitchen both functional and stylish....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Caleb Mathis

Introducing a 3,564 Sq. Ft. 4 Bedroom Home — Floor Plan Included to Explore Every Detail

Come explore this impressive Craftsman home, a beautiful blend of traditional style and contemporary flair. I appreciate how the bedrooms are thoughtfully placed for privacy, with the primary suite offering a relaxing retreat. A standout feature is the spacious back porch, perfect for gatherings, extending the living area outdoors. The House Designers – Plan 5085 The minimalistic design is complemented by a unique overhead light fixture, adding an artistic touch to the space....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 181 words · Michelle Beasley

Montana’s Retirement Boom — 24 Towns Ideal for Retirees in 2025

When considering retirement in Montana, several key factors contribute to the ideal living experience. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Montanas best towns for retirees. The town is very quiet with minimal vibrant nightlife (2.00) and lacks public transportation options. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet No public transit options are available. The town offers limited walkability at 14.22 and moderate cultural amenities (33.83). With very little nightlife activity (1....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 345 words · Kathleen Rogers

New Housing Data Reveals Top 17 Retirement Towns in South Carolina (2025)

When considering retirement destinations, several key factors can make all the difference in your quality of life. Each of these metrics provides valuable insight into what makes a community ideal for your retirement years. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of South Carolinas best towns for retirees. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet The town shines with its outstanding urban sophistication score of 94.67, providing excellent cultural amenities for residents....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 260 words · Michelle Smith

Sleepy Oregon Fishing Town Experiencing a Tourism Gold Rush Thanks to Its Hollywood Connection

It was one of the final stops of their journey, and the beginning of Astorias. Where is Astoria? Astoria is located in the far northwestern corner of Oregon, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. BZ Travel / Shutterstock.com Surrounded by forested hills and dramatic water views, Astoria anchors the northern edge of the Oregon Coast. Why are so many films made in and around Astoria? Salmon canneries once lined the riverbanks....

May 1, 2025 · 3 min · 430 words · Andrea Johnson

Step Inside Neve Campbell & JJ Field’s Cozy 4,532 Sq. Ft. Home on a Double Lot in Sherman Oaks, CA (Listed for $4,287,000)

Actors Neve Campbell and JJ Feild are the current owners of this extraordinary Sherman Oaks property. The property measures approximately 0.39 acres, offering sweeping tree-top and mountain views from its secluded, resort-style setting. Sherman Oaks, California, is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. Richard Yohon @ Sotheby’s International Realty and Konstantine Valissarakos @ Nourmand & Associates-HW via Coldwell Banker Realty | Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com...

May 1, 2025 · 3 min · 521 words · Regina Kelly

Step Inside This 5,511 Sq. Ft. 6 Bedroom Coastal Retreat – Floor Plan Included

Welcome to your future oasisa coastal-inspired home that beautifully captures 5,511 square feet of tranquility. This stunning residence features six spacious bedrooms and seven bathrooms, perfect for both family and guests. I love how the primary bedroom enjoys its private corner, complete with a luxurious en-suite and generous closets. Colleen Nouhan @ Premier Estate Properties, Inc – Zillow Notice the gym and laundry room tucked away for practicality, making everyday life convenient and comfortable....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 356 words · Jose Walker

Texas Town Has Only 3 Residents—So Why Do Hundreds of Thousands Flock To It Every Year?

Theres a place in the Texas Hill Country where the welcome sign jokes that the population is just three. While 25 isnt quite three people, the joke remains. But like many rural towns, its population thinned as people moved to bigger cities. Roadwardbound / Shutterstock.com By the 1960s, Luckenbach was barely hanging onquiet, empty, and just about forgotten. And thats when the magic happened. Hondo leaned hard into its rustic charm, hosting goofy festivals and embracing the weirdness....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 197 words · Linda Phillips

The 25 Most Retirement-Friendly Towns in West Virginia According to Latest 2025 Housing Data

When considering where to retire, several factors contribute to an ideal location. Each criterion provides insight into different aspects of daily living that are particularly important for retirees. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of West Virginias best towns for retirees. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet Public transportation options are essentially non-existent with a Transit-Friendly score of 0.00. Like many rural West Virginia towns, public transit is virtually non-existent with a Transit-Friendly score of 0....

May 1, 2025 · 4 min · 660 words · Tiffany Stephenson

The Baby Boomer Effect: How One Generation Is Redrawing North Dakota’s Housing Map

This aging wave has big implications. Will there be a flood of homes for sale as Boomers transition out of their houses? Or will many age in place, reducing the number of homes available to buy? Shutterstock This trend reflects how Boomers accumulated homes over the decades, while younger groups struggled to gain a foothold. In total, Baby Boomers inhabit roughly 32 million owner-occupied homes nationwide. The housing wealth tied up in those homes is enormous on the order of trillions of dollars....

May 1, 2025 · 4 min · 698 words · Leslie Lucas