|
The 15 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life
By Grace Lichtenstein, Elaine Robbins, and Michael Dupuis, May-June 2003
|
6. CHARLESTON, SC
Charleston's look (antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, lush gardens) and charm are legendary, but this lovely lady has substance: A strong economy, nine colleges and universities, and a highly regarded health care community are part of the package, too. While a 19th-century fixer-upper in the historic downtown can set you back a few hundred thousand, many folks "from Off"—as newcomers from off the peninsula are called—live on one of the nearby barrier islands, such as Edisto, where you can actually find country lanes lined with old oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Residents work in a range of industries, from shipping (it's the nation's fourth-busiest port) to health care and tourism.
Opportunities for boating, fishing, and golf abound, but many locals prefer less energetic pursuits, like oyster roasts and fish fries—things that involve food and alcohol. "Chefs are celebrities, and a three-star restaurant around here is likely to be considered a 'family place,' " says Dan Conover of the city's Post and Courier. He adds, "Lowcountry life is about enjoying the finer things, being eccentric, and always remembering that 'the past isn't over yet.' "
7. ASHEVILLE, NC
The university town of Asheville sits in the spot where the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains meet. Its lively arts scene, short winters, excellent health care, and a dash of bohemian funkiness (lots of acupuncture and rolfing going on) have attracted boomers on the move. The downtown heart of the city (with an impressive collection of Art Deco buildings) has coffeehouses, antiques shops, bookstores, and galleries selling crafts (weaving, pottery) by mountain artists. And civic activism is strong; you'll find impassioned groups working to foster Appalachian music and to protect national forests from logging.
In a town with deep musical roots, the scene is hopping—you might catch live bluegrass one night and contra dancing (lots of promenades and allemandes) the next. But arts options go beyond bluegrass. The Asheville Symphony Orchestra performs September through June, and the Brevard Music Center puts on a summer program of jazz, pop, and classical concerts.
In spring, head to the hills. The Blue Ridge Parkway skirts the edge of town, offering a quick escape to mountain hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting—and views of the dogwoods in bloom.
8. SAN DIEGO, CA
It may be the quintessential California town of sandy shorelines and perfect weather, but it's not filled with slacker-surfer types. San Diegans are busy. Computers, electronics, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are a few of the industries that push this West Coast paradise into the top 20 cities for five-year job growth, according to the Forbes/Milken Institute.
Residents work hard and play hard, putting to use the city's beaches and Balboa Park, a picturesque 1,200-acre urban playground with 15 museums (aerospace, natural history, anthropology, art, and more), and that famous Zoo. Add in world-class performing arts (ballet, opera, theater, symphony), pro baseball and football (the Padres and the Chargers), a diverse dining scene (from taco stands to seafood hot spots overlooking the harbor), and it's easy to see why the city has so many ardent fans.
-
Median house price: $379,300
-
Think twice: Prepare for sticker shock—San Diego is second only to Boston in cost of housing. (But try the newly revitalized neighborhood of North Park or the close-by suburb of Oceanside.)
-
Web-exclusive photo gallery of San Diego, CA
9. SAN ANTONIO, TX
This city, founded on the banks of the San Antonio River, straddles two areas of the state: the coastal plain (grassland prairie) and Hill Country (rolling land dotted with oak and mesquite). It's a blend of terrain and cultures—and it's a bargain that no other major U.S. city can beat. Low cost of living (housing prices are $50,000 below the national median, and there's no income tax) coupled with a dynamic business environment and excellent medical facilities have created one of the country's fastest-growing cities. That growth translates into careers in fields as varied as tourism, biomedical research, semiconductor manufacturing, and health care.
Culture abounds in S.A.—from a rich ethnic feel to great museums. Art hounds can take in works by Matisse and Gauguin at the McNay Art Museum or wander through the former Lone Star Brewery, now the Museum of Art, which houses an unparalleled collection of Latin American art.
The city takes pride in its Mexican heritage, which infuses every aspect of life, from Tex-Mex (tourists chow down at River Walk cafes, but locals opt for enchiladas at Los Barrios) to citywide celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo.
10. SANTA FE, NM
Tucked into the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains at 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe, with its distinctive flat-roofed pueblo architecture, high-desert Georgia O'Keeffe landscape, and proximity to great skiing, is peerless—and proud of that fact.
This smallish city of 62,200 is a colorful blend of Anglos, Hispanics, and American Indians. (There are more Chavezes in the phone book than Smiths.) Many of those residents find work with state government, federal agencies, nonprofits, and the tourism industry, all big employers here.
Long hailed as a cultural mecca (museums, galleries, and opera), the city is also a New Age lodestar, filled with spirituality seekers, natural-food markets, and alternative healers.
Costs have risen, but are still not in the same league with Boulder, Aspen, or San Francisco—other western havens with cachet.
|
