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The largest city on the Eastern Shore, Salisbury has an urban vibe in the middle of the rural area where it’s located, giving it a best of both worlds appeal. The home of Salisbury University, the city has a dynamic culture and arts scene with galleries, theaters, and performance spaces, along with a symphony orchestra. Perched on the Wicomico River, Salisbury has a scenic Riverwalk and several parks, as well as boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. Many beautiful beaches are just minutes away, including those of Ocean City and Assateague Island.

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This charming city sits along the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, about 40 miles north of Baltimore. The downtown area is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants, and there’s a boardwalk and promenade that runs from the Concord Point Lighthouse to the city’s yacht basin. Boating and water sports are popular here, and there are numerous marinas as well as museums dedicated to the area’s rich maritime history. The city has a busy schedule of fairs and festivals, and residents say there’s always something to do.

Because the area is in demand, it could be helpful to study up on some of the tips to qualify for a mortgage so you can move quickly once you find a home that fits your budget.

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Just 30 minutes northeast of Baltimore, Aberdeen, with its local shops and restaurants, offers a small town feel with easy access to the city via car or the commuter railroad. Many state parks are nearby for hiking and biking, and you can visit Kilgore Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Maryland. Sports lovers will enjoy minor league baseball games at Ripken Stadium (famous Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. grew up here) and visits to the Ripken Museum to learn about the baseball heritage of the Ripken family.

This suburb of Baltimore has plenty of amenities to make the entire family happy. There are shopping centers and a big mall, as well as restaurants serving up everything from burgers and pizza to Mexican and Chinese. Recreational activities include hiking and biking in one of the local parks, tossing tennis balls to Fido at the dog park, and sports like soccer and baseball. Indoor fun for kids includes crafting events and story time at the local library. Parents may be drawn by the area’s above average public schools and the public transportation options, including trains and buses for the commute to Baltimore.

If you’re looking to buy a house in Clarksburg, you may want to explore financing options such as jumbo mortgage loans.

Another suburb of Baltimore, Glen Burnie is a bustling community filled with shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and parks, including Patapsco State Park along the Patapsco River, which offers hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and biking. Parents are drawn to the area’s highly regarded school system, and families can enjoy the many local events and festivals. Glen Burnie’s central location and regional transit system makes it easy to commute to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Families have recently been gravitating to this growing town with its proximity to Baltimore. It’s easy to see why: There are numerous restaurants and movie theaters, a big shopping mall, and The Foundry Row outdoor shopping complex. Outdoor adventures include hiking, biking, and fishing in the area’s many parks. Parents may be drawn to the solid public and private schools, as well as the potential job opportunities. There are numerous employers in the area, including the Baltimore Ravens, the Social Security Administration, and T. Rowe Price. And for those who work elsewhere, there are commuter trains to Baltimore and even Washington, D.C.

One thing that may make you more nimble when you’re ready to buy: going through the mortgage preapproval process.

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Located in Baltimore County, Towson is an appealing mix of urban and suburban. It has a vibrant downtown with shops, restaurants, and bars for entertainment and nightlife. The city is home to Towson University, and the biggest percentage of the city’s population (22%) is between the ages of 20 and 29. That means young adults have plenty of opportunities to meet and socialize with their peers.

Homes in certain neighborhoods of Baltimore County are more affordable, so those who are hunting for a home, including first-time homebuyers, may want to explore a variety of areas around Towson.

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This charming town nestled in rolling hills north of Baltimore is a haven for nature lovers. Residents tend to be active, taking advantage of the many nearby parks for hiking, running, walking, and kayaking. The town’s recreation council offers sports and activities for all ages, which can be a great way for young adults to meet people. Lutherville has many good restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries to enjoy, and its proximity to Baltimore makes it a nice option for those who work in the city but want the feel of a smaller town.

Prospective buyers may want to consider the different types of mortgage loans to see what’s the best option for them.

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This city is fairly close to the nation’s capital (the daily commute is about 45 minutes), but it provides a more relaxed lifestyle. There’s plenty to keep young adults entertained in their off hours, including numerous restaurants, breweries, and pubs. For fun outdoor activities, they can head to Bohrer Park where there’s a miniature golf course and a water park, or Seneca Lake Park for boating, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

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This small town situated along the Potomac River in western Maryland is known for its friendliness, sense of community, and affordability. It has a bustling downtown area with shops, restaurants, and art galleries, and many nearby parks for hiking, biking, and fishing. Perhaps those attributes help explain why it’s popular with retirees — there are more than 20 senior living communities in the area.

This northwestern suburb of Baltimore has a large population of retirees. It has a welcoming, small town feel, and it’s close to Baltimore for health care needs (Johns Hopkins is there), cultural activities, and entertainment. Pikesville also has public transportation: Residents can take advantage of the Metro to zip into the city. The town itself is filled with shops and restaurants, and there are lots of parks and walking trails.

Visiting a home loan help center may help you learn more about their mortgage options.

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This vibrant beachside city, with its gorgeous ocean views and lively boardwalk, makes for an active yet relaxing retirement. Residents can walk for miles along the beach, enjoy water sports like fishing and boating, or bike along the boardwalk. The city has a mix of eclectic restaurants and shops, performing arts, and festivals. And while it’s busy during the summer months, the vibe is relaxed and laid-back the rest of the year. The word seems to be out among the senior set: 59% of Ocean City’s population is over age 50.

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This lovely city, making its second appearance on this list, revolves around the water. Its prime spot along the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Susquehanna River gives residents glorious bayside and riverside views. The town is a draw for boaters, and there are numerous marinas throughout the area. When residents aren’t sailing, paddling, or motorboating on the waterways, they can stroll along the city’s boardwalk and promenade, stopping for lunch or dinner at one of the plentiful restaurants or shopping in the boutiques.

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This charming and affordable Eastern Shore town is on the Choptank River near the Chesapeake. Cambridge has a number of marinas and town docks, making it a great home base for those who enjoy boating and fishing. Nature lovers will appreciate the area’s parks and walking trails, as well as the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The bustling and historic downtown is filled with art galleries, museums, and boutique shops, plus restaurants, bars, and breweries for a night out.

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The state capital, Annapolis is a dynamic and scenic city on the Severn River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay that’s very popular for boating and water sports. This vibrant community is a mix of old and new: It’s filled with boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, and restaurants. The quaint downtown area has cobblestone streets and buildings dating back to the 1700s. The city also has a rich maritime history, and it’s home to the U.S. Naval Academy.

The rental market is hot here, and prices are on the rise, so those considering renting in a tight market may want to get in sooner rather than later.

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Littleton is a suburb of Denver that is located in three different counties — Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson, though it is the county seat of Arapahoe County. The city dates back to the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush when miners and others first came to the area. Roxborough State Park and Chatfield State Park are two nearby options for nature lovers, who can also take advantage of the South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, not to mention the Rocky Mountains, which aren’t far away. There are also an array of restaurants and coffee shops, giving the town an urban-meets-suburban feel.

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Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins has a lot of the charm of a college town with amenities of a larger city. The Old Town historic district features a vintage trolley as well as houses dating back to the 1800s. If you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is nearby, featuring the distinctive Horsetooth Rock formation and Horsetooth Falls. While it can be pricey to own a home here, renting is more affordable for those who want to experience all Fort Collins has to offer.

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Pueblo sits at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, about 100 miles south of Denver. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk sits in downtown, commemorating the former course of the river before it was altered after a major flood in 1921. There’s a thriving food scene and, as you might expect, plenty of outdoor activities. The overall cost of living in Pueblo is also below average, which can make it an attractive place to live, especially if you compare the cost of living by state to other possibilities. This can also make taking out and qualifying for home mortgage loans easier than it might be in other locations.

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Greeley is the largest city and county seat of Weld County, to the north of the Denver area and near Fort Collins. The city is named after Horace Greeley, who popularized the phrase “Go West, young man.” Families here can enjoy cultural activities, like those found at the Union Colony Civic Center, which is one of the largest performing arts venues in Colorado. Homeownership can be a challenge with the median price of homes for sale hovering around $440,000, though first-time homebuyer programs in Colorado may help with that.

Centennial is another city in the Denver metropolitan area. It’s a fairly dense suburban area, with plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants for families to visit. Parents will like its highly rated public school system. It also boasts the multi-acre Centennial Center Park, where kids and parents alike can enjoy the fresh air Colorado is famous for. Following our tips to qualify for a mortgage can help you find a place that fits your budget.

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Located in the northwestern suburbs of Denver, Arvada is another large city in the Denver metropolitan area. Arvada is the seventh most populous city in all of Colorado, and sits nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Both the Colorado Railroad Museum and Eldorado Canyon State Park are located in Arvada. Starting your housing journey with a mortgage prequalification or preapproval can be a great first step.

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In 2001, after years of annexations had stretched the city of Broomfield across four different Colorado counties (Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld), the citizens of Broomfield became Colorado’s newest and smallest county. The hybrid city-county government allows better coordination of city services, and the newness of the area can mean career opportunity. With many different types of mortgage loans available, you’ve got a great opportunity to find something that fits your specific financial and life situation.

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As noted above, Arvada is located in northwestern Denver and backs up to the foothills of the Rockies. It’s among the more affordable places to live in Colorado for young professionals thanks to its recreation and arts and culture options. Check out the historic Olde Town Arvada, or visit The Cussler Museum, the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities, or Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge.

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Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place in the southwestern suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area. It’s highly rated for job opportunities and growth, and residents say there are plenty of trails, cafes, and nightlife to keep them happy. If you’re looking to buy a house, you may want to take advantage of some of the first-time homebuyer programs in Colorado.

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Yes, Littleton is on the list again. Another suburb of Denver, Littleton sits along the South Platte River, near Cooley Lake and the Chatfield Reservoir. Littleton is only a few miles east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, providing plenty of opportunities for hikes and mountain vistas. It also features the Centennial at Riverwalk 55+ active adult community and easy access to all of the urban offerings and health care resources in the Denver metro area.

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More than one out of four residents of Montrose is age 65 or older. The eponymous county seat of Montrose County, the city of Montrose lies in southwestern Colorado. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is just to the east of town, and you can also visit the Montrose Botanic Gardens or the Museum of the Mountain West. The town also is recommended as a good place to retire thanks to such factors as its access to health care and attractions, as well as its excellent farmers markets. Going through the mortgage preapproval process can help you prepare to make a bid when you find the perfect property.

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An inner-ring suburb of Denver, Englewood is located directly south of Denver, which makes it convenient to access all of the amenities of its larger neighbor. Within Englewood, you can hike along the South Platte River Trail or Bear Creek Trail, or visit the free Museum of Outdoor Arts.

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Grand Junction is known for its splendid location and outdoor activities. There are rivers for fishing, kayaking, and rafting, plus amazing cliffs and mountains to explore. There’s the Colorado Monument as well as the Grand Mesa nearby. Since it’s a college town, Grand Junction also offers an array of restaurants, concerts, and other fun activities.

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Gunnison is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest lake in Colorado, lies just to the west of town, a part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. There is lots to do outdoors in Gunnison, including hiking, fishing, biking and whitewater rafting. If you want to purchase a home here, you can take advantage of learning from a home loan help center to help you navigate the home-buying process.

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Montrose hits this list again, this time as an affordable mountain town. This historic town is located on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, and it has won honors as a top town for outdoor activities. Hiking, rafting, rock climbing, snowmobiling, and fishing are among the options. Housing prices aren’t exactly cheap in Montrose, and some buyers use a jumbo mortgage loan to afford purchasing one. However, the price tag can be somewhat offset by those lower than average property taxes. In addition, renting in Montrose can be affordable.