To JmVik: The magazine you're probably referring to is "Where to Retire."

BMW,

Try findmyspot.com. You answer a questionnaire online & they come up with a list (I can't remember how many spots are on the list) of places that fit your criteria. Of course, I've tried some smaller towns that don't come up at all, but the areas that the site lists might get you started in an area agreeable to you.

Kona Hawaii - Quaint, spaceous, mountains, ocean, a little bit of everything.

I am no where near retiring...(23) but I am from Savannah, Ga. A LOT of people retire here. There is a great private golf community on the southside of town.."The Landings" The people I speak to who live there..love it..check out the town and the community. I was born and raised here and I am ready to explore. I don't want to live here or raise a family here but I am definately going to retire here....maybe..what do I know..I'm only 23

I can sympathize with the above poster..I have years to go. But what about Austin, Texas??? Anybody have an opinion about that? I loved it there when I visited a few years ago. Big university town, state capital, good music/entertainment scene. Seems like it has a lot to offer.

I wouldn't consider Austin as a place to retire. (We're actually leaving here in 10 years or less). It's got 2 seasons - Summer - 10 mos., and "winter", which lasts about 2 mos.... It was 99 here the other day, with about as much humidity. Traffic is horrendous.

Now if you like looooooong, hot summers, and golf, then Austin and surrounding areas might be nice. Lots of golf communities and even a Del Webb Sun City in Georgetown, a few miles north.

I was raised in New England and realize some people have this idealized vision of what it's like there. Fact is, as others have noted, it has its ups and downs, just like anyplace else. Plus, when you say "New England," that covers a pretty broad and varied area. Rural Maine? Suburban Conn.? There is no "New England" lifestyle.

I do have an offbeat recommendation in Florida. Have you considered Melbourne Beach? It has resisted the buildup that's hit a lot of Fla. -- no high rises -- and has good access to Orlando, Vero, Palm Beach. Plus, they recently passed an ordinance that's going to limit building even more. Just an idea.