Vernon, Canada

With a population of just 44,519, Vernon is a sleepy Okanagan outpost, far from the glitz of Vancouver. The median age here is a staggering 48.4 - nearly a decade older than the national average. And the weather is a mixed bag, with cold, snowy winters and well-distributed precipitation year-round. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's recent struggle to install a simple public bathroom. Still, Vernon boasts a robust arts and sports scene, with a lively winter carnival and plenty of outdoor recreation. For quiet-seeking retirees, this could be the perfect slice of small-town life. But for younger professionals, Vernon may feel a bit too remote and insular.