The 10 Best Places to Live The GOOD Life

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South New Jersey is unknown to those of us who have experienced "the Garden State" only from the hi-priced 'burbs in the north around New York City, or from driving the foul-smelling urban wasteland along the N.J. Turnpike. But one need only get off the thruway beyond Trenton and head south to find areas where the state more than lives up to its nickname. Indeed, south Jersey — from the ecologically unique and largely uninhabited Pine Barrens of Burlington and Ocean counties down along the marshy north shore of Delaware Bay or off any interchange along the Garden State Parkway as it parallels the east shore down to Cape May — stands out as one of our ten best. Subscriber Kim Hauser of Vincentown (just off Rt. 206 and only seven miles downwind of the dreaded N.J. Turnpike) "... found plenty of work, very nice people, a helpful community, excellent schools ... and the gardening is great." Stores are a short trek away, but isn't that the point?

Inland from North Carolina's Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds you'll find piny woods and rich farmland that is overlooked by visitors sailing the sounds and taking in the sun during the heart of the summer. It's an area where "people barter services and family is the numberone concern. Money doesn't mean much ... simple living does," report Brian Waldron and his wife, who operate a 72-acre farm in Pitt County. Plus, within a short drive, "natives" have the snug harbors and bathing beaches to themselves any time they want during the warm spring and warmer fall months (and on the many balmy days in mid-winter) when the tourists are marooned back home in the snow drifts of Baltimore, Philadelphia, "The District" (Washington, D.C.), or New York City.

The entire state of Wisconsin is also a winner — despite (or, for many ice fishermen, snow-machine lovers, and cross-country skiers, because of) the snow. Gail Grundy of Kei, Manitowoc County finds ... many old farm houses with barns and a few acres for sale all over ... cheaper and better made than the new houses today. The Land is great for gardening." Indeed, in our companion article on finding your country property, you'll read of a Wisconsin dairy farm with more than 140 tillable acres, 4BR house and equipped milking barn being sold for less than $400/acre.

Retirement Heaven
Retirement communities are not welcome everywhere ... but several little-publicized areas were especially recommended for their friendliness toward retirees — and some famous ones were rejected. One winner is the Gulf Coast around Hattiesburgh, Miss. — a dynamic town of under 100,000, with 70 degrees Fahrenheit average temps (and humidity to match) and year-round gardening. (Drop a line to Ms. Sher-Lee Paula Broadhead of 316 Sunrise Rd., Petal, MS 39465. She is a one-woman Chamber of Commerce).

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