Alpharetta, Georgia

If shopping is your favorite pastime, there are few better places in the world to indulge yourself than in Alpharetta, Ga. The city is also home to some big-name businesses and welcomes new residents with open arms. This vibrant community has a lot of history and an energetic approach to the future. A new neighbor to the north, Milton, was carved out of unincorporated parts of Fulton County and became a city through legislative action in December 2006.

This affluent Atlanta bedroom community is heavily car-dependent; even though residents are health-conscious and take to the trails or bike paths for fun and exercise, they are not likely to give up the convenience of private automobiles, whether they're heading to work in the city, to the course for a round of golf, or to the mall for a day of shopping. Alpharetta has 16 miles of trails, however, an extensive park system and three arboretums.

Living the "good life" in Alpharetta means living in your own home in a pleasant neighborhood with a wealth of amenities, a low crime rate, good schools and nearby access to medical care. And don't forget that you're within about an hour of one of the largest cities in the Southeastern United States. But there's plenty to do right at home: "destination shopping" venues, music and performance stages, Ameris Bank Amphitheater, more than 175 restaurants in Alpharetta alone, plus weekly Food Truck gatherings, and the only American Girl Boutique in the state. Pick a house on a large lot or a cosmopolitan condo close to the business heart of town; you'll feel right at home in either one.

With a native American heritage and a foot in the future, Alpharetta is thoroughly grounded in both tradition and technology, offering residents a comfortable way to meld urban advantages with country sensibilities. With a population of over 69,000, Alpharetta will continue to grow, but the community still has a Southern small town appeal.