This tiny, rural town boasts some affordable properties not to mention lovely scenery and an assortment of shops and restaurants. The median age here is 38.6, and some residents commute to work in New London, Connecticut. Providence is within reach as well, at 40 minutes away. If you’re embarking on your first home purchase, spend some time with a first-time homebuyer guide to learn the ins and outs of the process.

Located in the rural hills of the Pawtuxet River Valley due west of the larger Warwick, Coventry boasts one of the state’s best home price-to-income ratios (the average value of its homes divided by the median income of its residents), which helped land it on our list of the best affordable places to live in Rhode Island. It also offers plenty of biking and walking trails, plus historical sites connected to its history as a mill town.

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This coastal, central-Rhode Island city has easy access to Providence, Narragansett, and Newport and all the cultural and historic sites these cities offer (not to mention some of the best doughnuts in a state known for this breakfast treat). Warwick also has many interesting sites in its own right, plus beach access and restaurants in abundance. Homes for sale move briskly here, so if you’re looking to buy in Warwick, be prepared by going through the mortgage preapproval process in advance.

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Parents who work in Providence might like Lincoln, which is just north of that larger city and has a state park located within the town, as well as many historic sites. Hearthside, a historic house open to visitors, has a year-round blacksmith’s shop that kids will enjoy. (Parents may be more excited by the fact that Lincoln’s school district receives high ratings.) Lincoln is also home to one of two full-service casinos in the state, which provides residents with both employment and entertainment.

Look into the different types of mortgage loans so you are familiar with the options before the search gets serious.

It’s easy to see why families might be drawn to this quiet village within the larger Hopkinton area in the southwestern corner of the state. It has a suburban but rural feel, and parents may be attracted to its well-regarded schools.

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Exeter occupies a large, rural area southwest of Providence that extends all the way to the Connecticut border. There are plenty of farms, forests, and other open spaces here for families to enjoy. Parents may appreciate that Exeter and its affluent neighbor West Greenwich share one of the most highly rated school systems in the state.

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With a median age of 36, this Providence-county city has a relatively young population. It is also the corporate headquarters of CVS Health, and health care, manufacturing, and retail are the city’s largest industries. For those who do business in Boston or need a major airport nearby, Woonsocket is a relatively convenient hour and 15 minutes away by car. Young adults will enjoy the Stadium Theater, biking and hiking on the area’s trails, and city events such as Autumnfest. While the home price-to-income ratio is on the high side, the average rent is a very reasonable $1,595.

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The city is known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and was a center for textile industries. Today, Pawtucket has a variety of industries, arts-related organizations, and small businesses; it nurtures a concentration of artists, including painters, sculptors, and glass-blowers. The city offers dozens of restaurants and a year-round calendar of festivals for entertainment. More than half of Pawtucket’s residents are renters, an unusually high concentration, and the average rent here is $1,750. Residents are just 15 minutes from downtown Providence.

Check out a home loan help center to learn more about the homebuying and mortgage process if you’re pondering your first home purchase.

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One of Rhode Island’s largest cities is a quick 15-minute commute by car to Providence, so access to multiple job markets is a draw. The area offers river shoreline access, with walking and hiking opportunities, as well as plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and bars and breweries. Young adults looking to purchase their first home will want to read up on tips on how to qualify for a mortgage.

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Woonsocket’s relatively affordable cost of living makes it an attractive option for retirees on a fixed budget. And since Rhode Island is such a small state, retirees here are never far from their heart’s desire, whether that is hiking and walking at a state park, venturing south to the state’s lovely beaches, or enjoying the local cultural offerings. Woonsocket has several apartment buildings designated for the elderly, as well as multiple assisted living facilities. Medical care is also easily accessible, either in the local community hospital or at the state’s largest hospital in Providence.

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This diverse town just north of Pawtucket is a former manufacturing hub, and one of its retirement communities even occupies a historic mill building. Central Falls is small but very densely populated. Providence is less than a half-hour away by car, so access to the big city’s cultural offerings (and its medical care) is easy. While the home price-to-income ratio is high, the average home value here is well below the national average (unusual for Rhode Island) at $355,430.

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This town at the eastern edge of Rhode Island, about 40 minutes away from Providence, is known as a place that tends to attract retirees. Residents here enjoy two beaches on the Sakonnet River for swimming, walking, fishing, or bird-watching. The Four Corners area is a meeting place for those who enjoy historic buildings as well as the local shops and restaurants. Countryview Estates, a 60-acre complex, caters to the 55-plus set, and The Villages on Mount Hope Bay, on the waterfront, is for active adults in the same age group.

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Warren offers easy access to both beaches and farmland from its location on the East Bay between Providence and Newport. It has an abundance of art galleries and studios, gourmet food shops, and quaint stores. A level bike path along an old railroad spur connects local schools and a park. Residents praise the warm, welcoming community, the historic downtown, and the city’s work to revitalize the waterfront. The town beach has great amenities for families with young kids. The average home value here, at $498,546, is above national average but reasonable by Rhode Island waterfront standards.

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One of the few places in Rhode Island that directly borders the ocean (vs. the bay or a riverfront), Westerly has a buzzing scene of shops, restaurants, and bars, plus a waterfront amusement park with a century-old carousel. In the summer, the Chamber of Commerce screens movies on the beach. If you have your heart set on an ocean-view estate, this is the one city where you’re most likely to need a jumbo mortgage loan. But while homes on the seaside command a high price, the average home value here, at $544,000, indicates there are inland properties that are more affordable.

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Bristol has beaches in abundance. Popular options include Bristol Town Beach, Juniper Trail Beach, and Walley Street Beach. Residents might come here for the bayside vibes, but they undoubtedly stay thanks to other quality-of-life factors, such as the vigorous performing, cultural, and literary arts scene.

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Bellevue is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area and it’s one of the larger suburban spots to make our list of the best places to live in Nebraska. Originally established as a fur-trading post, it’s the oldest continuous settlement in the state and is a thriving city that attracts families, young professionals, and retirees who are looking for convenient access to quality health care.

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Omaha is the most populous city in Nebraska, and its thriving economy is a definite mark in its favor for attracting newcomers. Job opportunities abound, as do local attractions, including the famed Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Parents who move here will appreciate the well-rated school system. Omaha features plenty of affordable rental options, something you don’t always see in a larger city, and the large size of the market and the many homes for sale at all price points means it could be easier to find a place here.

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Kearney is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in Nebraska. Whether you’re interested in shopping, visiting local historic sites, or immersing yourself in the city’s diverse culture, you can do all of that and more here. Kearney also affords numerous opportunities to spend time outdoors, hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing. Completing the mortgage preapproval process can give you an idea of how much you might be able to borrow if you plan to buy.

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Seward is part of the Lincoln metro area, which could make it a good fit for families who prefer the suburbs to the busier city. Parents will be happy to hear that the schools are well-regarded. If you’re looking for something fun to do with kids, you can find the world’s largest time capsule located here. If you’re interested in owning a home, researching tips to qualify for a mortgage can make the process of getting a loan easier to navigate.

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Papillion is a suburb of Omaha that’s routinely at the top of ‘best places to live in America’ lists. It offers plenty of family-friendly attractions, and parents appreciate its good-quality schools. French fur traders are reportedly responsible for the town’s name, the French word for butterfly.

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Gering is an outstanding choice for families who are looking for a small-town feel. It’s quiet, there are lots of things to see and do around town with kids, and the cost of living isn’t a dealbreaker. With a home price-to-income ratio of under 3, you aren’t likely to need a jumbo mortgage loan in order to buy.

Ralston is part of the Omaha metro area and it offers many of the things any young professional might value. There’s a vibrant nightlife scene, plenty of parks where you can go for a jog or walk the dog, and the many restaurants and cafes make it a foodie’s dream. Along with those features, Ralston is also an affordable place to live for workers who are trying to do life on an entry-level salary. If this is your first time buying a home, explore the different types of mortgage loans before you go deep with your search.

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Lincoln is Nebraska’s second-largest city and its local economy revolves around business, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. Entrepreneurship is also encouraged here, and there are more than a few small business owners launching new ventures. The median age of residents is around 33, and the vast majority of residents are single and childless, which could bode well for those seeking to find “the one.”

La Vista is also a suburb of Omaha, and it manages to combine the best of both worlds, in terms of a small-town feel and big-city amenities. Young professionals will find plenty of affordable rental housing here. It’s perfectly situated for a short commute, though there are a good many job opportunities to be had in La Vista if you’re not interested in driving to Omaha.

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Beatrice sits about 40 minutes from Lincoln, making it close enough for day trips to visit doctors, check in on friends, or just go sightseeing. One in five people here is 65 or over. The local senior center regularly sponsors events and activities that are designed to encourage retirees to connect with their community.

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South Sioux City is uniquely situated along the Nebraska border and sits directly across the Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa. It’s about halfway between Omaha and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, making it a potentially ideal spot for retirees who want to routinely travel to any of these cities. There’s plenty of local history to soak up as well as numerous scenic trails for stretching your legs. The home price-to-income ratio is low enough to make housing affordable even for seniors living on a fixed income in retirement.

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Sidney is located in western Nebraska, not far from the Colorado and Wyoming borders. It offers the epitome of small-town living and may be perfect for retirees who are looking for a cozy community in which to spend their golden years. The local senior center offers daily activities to help retirees stay active and involved alongside their peers. Sidney has one of the lowest price-to-income ratios on our list, which might make it attractive for retirees who want to own a home.

Burwell is a hotspot for those who enjoy boating, fishing, skiing, and other water sports. The Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area is perfect for a weekend camping trip and there are 31 miles of sandy beaches to lounge on (though, because there are no lifeguards on duty, swimming is at your own risk).

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Fremont could be a dream place to live for anyone who loves being close to the water. Fremont Lakes State Park is where you’ll find residents boating, swimming, camping, and picnicking when the weather is nice. If that’s not exciting enough, you can book an airboat tour along the Platte River, which is a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife. Unsure whether it makes sense to switch from renting to buying? Visit the home loan help center to learn more about how the process works.

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Grand Island is also close to the Platte River, but there are other ways to enjoy the water here. For example, if you have kids, you might take them to the Island Oasis Water Park for some splashy fun. In the spring, you can observe the migration of the sandhill cranes, which draws over one million waterfowl to the area.

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Carson City, located in the northern part of the state, is the capital city of Nevada and is 32 miles from Reno. The city boasts beautiful parks, scenic trails, museums, art venues, and many shops and restaurants. It provides easy access to the great outdoors with Lake Tahoe just 20 miles away.

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Perhaps Nevada’s most famous — and infamous — destination, Las Vegas boasts hotels, casinos, nightlife, and diverse restaurants, so there’s always plenty to do. Winters are mild, but summers are very hot. When you’re tired of hanging out on the strip and feel the need to commune with nature, nearby parks, like Red Rock Canyon, provide access to the great outdoors.

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Home of the Hoover Dam, and established to house its builders, Boulder City provides easy access to outdoor activities on Lake Mead, in Black Canyon, and on the Colorado River. It’s just 26 miles outside of Las Vegas, so it offers quick access to the resources of a much bigger city.

Located in northwestern Nevada, Winnemucca is one of the smaller cities on our list. It offers a spread-out suburban feel, and families can explore local attractions like the Humboldt Museum, get in a round of bowling at Spare Time, or picnic in Vesco Park. Water Canyon Recreation Area offers hiking, biking, and camping. Families may appreciate the city’s above-average schools.

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A bit bigger than Winnemucca, and toward the eastern part of the state, Elko offers a similar suburban feel. Families may enjoy the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival, heading to the rodeo at the Silver State Stampede, or hiking, horseback riding, and snow sledding in the Humboldt National Forest. (Parents also appreciate the above-average school system.) If you’re looking to buy in the area, consider these tips to qualify for a mortgage.

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Right next door to Las Vegas, Henderson is the second-largest city in Nevada. Parents might appreciate its well-rated school system. The city is also in close proximity to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Outdoor recreation areas like Cornerstone Park, which features a 31-acre lake, nature trails, picnic areas, sports facilities, and a playground, provide spaces for families to gather and play. If you’re thinking of buying a large property for your family, you may want to investigate getting a jumbo mortgage loan, which can help with financing for a pricey house.

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Nevada’s largest city may offer the most opportunities for job, entertainment, and companionship. The biggest employers are the resort companies that run the city’s famous casinos, but the city also has large health-care employers and is a growing tech hub with many startups setting up shop.

Thinking of moving to Vegas? Familiarize yourself with different types of mortgage loans, and visit a home loan help center to get comfortable with mortgage basics.

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Henderson provides easy access to the vibrant nightlife of Las Vegas just next door. There are also plenty of job opportunities, not just in entertainment but in technology, with Google and Amazon opening large data centers in the city. The Las Vegas Raiders have also built their headquarters in town.

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Fernley is about 30 miles east of Reno, a fair commute for young adults who work in Reno but are in search of lower housing prices. Living in Fernley also puts residents within easy reach of Pyramid Lake, the home of the Paiute Tribe, one of America’s most beautiful desert lakes, and a fishing mecca.

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Mesquite is located on the Virgin River on the border of Arizona. It’s home to hotels, casinos, and golf courses. If you’re thinking of retiring here, you’re not alone: 45% of the population is 65 and older.

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Boulder City has a large concentration of retirement communities, and about 30% of the population is 65 or older. Because it is near the shores of Lake Mead, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and at just 25 miles from Las Vegas, the city is a stone’s throw away from nightlife and culture.

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Las Vegas is a good option for retirees looking for an active retirement. It boasts easy access to health care and a large number of retirement communities and recreation centers in addition to its famed hotels, casinos, and nightlife.

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Just 34 minutes outside of Reno, Fernley is nestled close to Lake Tahoe, Washoe Lake, and Pyramid Lake where residents can hike, fish, kayak, and mountain bike. There is skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevadas.

Winnemucca is a small town in northwestern Nevada. Residents can explore the Winnemucca sand dunes, hike or mountain bike in the Water Canyon Recreation Center, and hike the Winnemucca Mountain Trail on the city’s namesake peak.

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A city known for hotels shaped like Egyptian pyramids, Roman palaces, and the city of Paris may not be the first to mind when it comes to outdoor recreation. But Las Vegas is close to some of the nation’s premier national parks, including nearby Red Rock Canyon. The city can also serve as a jumping off point to some of the crown jewels of the national parks system, including Zion National Park and Death Valley, each a two-hour drive away, and the Grand Canyon, a four hour drive.

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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and located near Kentucky and Tennessee, Big Stone Gap offers those who love to be outdoor an endless variety of things to do, including fishing, mountain biking, and hiking in the nearby national forests. A former coal mining town, Big Stone Gap has a quaint main street with restaurants and shops. If it appeals to you, you might get started with the mortgage preapproval process so that you’ll be well-positioned when you find a house you like.

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Bluefield is a small town located on the border of West Virginia. It’s known as “Virginia’s Tallest Town,” and claims to be the highest town east of Denver, Colorado. It’s a quiet place — there aren’t a lot of restaurants or stores here. However, Bluefield is affordable and offers the benefits of small-town living, such as knowing your neighbors. And when you need your city fix, Roanoke is less than two hours away.

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If you’re a baseball fan, Pulaski could be the home run you’ve been looking for. Historic Calfee Park, the ninth oldest professional in-use Minor League Baseball park in the U.S., is now home to the Pulaski River Turtles, a summer collegiate baseball league. When you’re not at a game, you can hike or fish in one of the many nearby state parks.

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Culpeper is located just 70 miles from Washington, D.C., but it feels like a world away. The town has a long history, and in fact, it changed hands 78 times during the American Civil War. Today, Culpeper offers families a walkable downtown with shops and restaurants and plenty of outdoor spaces and parks for kids to run around. Residents also appreciate the area’s good schools. If you think Culpeper is right for you, you might look into first-time homebuyer programs in Virginia to help make a down payment more affordable.

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This medium-sized city offers families plenty to do, including cultural events, museums, sports, and restaurants. It’s in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, which means residents are surrounded by mountains, and there are miles of trails for walking, biking, and hiking. James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, which gives parents access to college students for babysitters and tutors.

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The most populous city in the state, Virginia Beach offers good schools, plenty of job opportunities, and endless entertainment to keep your kids — and you! — busy. There’s the beach, the boardwalk, state parks, museums, and an aquarium. Your family can hike, bike, kayak, and even paddleboard for fun. Ready to make a move? Check out a home loan help center to understand your mortgage options.

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Virginia Beach has a lot to offer young adults. The beach is a large draw, and the area also has good employment opportunities, a vibrant nightlife, lots of restaurants and shops, plus concerts and other activities. The cost of living in Virginia in this town is a bit below the national average, meaning it could be an affordable option.

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With nearly 100,000 residents, Roanoke is a medium-sized city in the southwestern part of the state. It’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so there are plenty of outdoor activities for young adults, like hiking, biking, and camping. There is also a large local brewery scene in Roanoke, along with plenty of restaurants and bars, so young adults can enjoy an active social life here. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may find programs to assist you with purchasing in Roanoke.

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A vibrant college town (Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond are both located here) Virginia’s capital draws many young adults. There are plentiful employment opportunities, along with trendy restaurants and bars, shops, museums, and festivals. Whitewater rapids run through downtown Richmond, and it’s the only city in the country that can claim this distinction.

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On the border of North Carolina, Danville, with its rolling countryside and a river that runs through it, has the qualities of a small town and the amenities of a city. Cultural attractions include a fine arts museum, a theater company, and a symphony orchestra. Many retirees live here because of the relaxed and affordable lifestyle.

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Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, retirees can live an active life here, with hiking, boating, and biking. There are also museums and other cultural attractions for them to enjoy in town. For those times they want to go to the city, Roanoke is about 50 miles away.

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Retirees who choose to live in Staunton can enjoy all that Charlottesville has to offer (The city is just 40 minutes away) without paying Charlottesville prices. Staunton itself is known for being friendly. The town has museums, parks, shops, and restaurants, so there’s plenty to do close to home. Retirees on a fixed income may want to explore the different types of mortgage loans to learn their options.

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Hampton has 26 miles of shoreline along the coast of the Chesapeake, including four public beaches. The waterfront city also has historic attractions, museums, restaurants, and shops. It’s conveniently located near a number of other cities, including Newport News.

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Located where the Chesapeake meets the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is a fun, family-friendly beach city, with three miles of boardwalk. The city is filled with restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and an aquarium.

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Norfolk has over seven miles of public beaches along the Chesapeake Bay. The city has a rich history and is home to the largest naval base in the world. Because of this, you’ll see plenty of naval ships and commercial vessels near the port.