Barnegat, NJ, United States

Living in Barnegat Light is a double-edged sword. The population has grown by a modest 11.5% since 2010, but the median age is a staggering 60.3 years old. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the borough government consisting of a "weak mayor / strong council" system and occasional battles over regional school districts. Storms like the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 and the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 have repeatedly threatened the town's survival and required extensive shoreline stabilization efforts. This sleepy coastal enclave is best suited for retirees and seasonal visitors looking to escape the chaos of city life.