UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#2. Daufuskie Island, SC
Median home value: $245,500
This idyllic lowcountry island off the coast of South Carolina is mostly car-free, with most residents opting to get around by golf cart, (see how close that is to carefree?) and accessible only by ferry. Instead, residents get around on golf carts, bikes or foot, which creates a naturally slower pace of day-to-day life and a strong sense of community.
Daufuskie Island, which is located between Savannah and Hilton Head, is a go-to vacation destination because of its beautiful beaches, but is a great place to live year-round because of its tranquility, says Ryan Dillingham, real estate broker at Premier Properties by Haig Point. If you like drinking piña coladas, there is a rum distillery on the island where you can sample creative takes on the classic cocktail (its newest rendition is infused with coffee beans!).