Longmeadow, MA, United States

The population of 15,784 belies Longmeadow's quaint, pastoral image - this is a town that has tripled in size twice over the past century, transforming from farmland to a dense suburb. While the town boasts extensive conservation areas and a historic green, it has also resisted commercial development, leaving the bureaucracy as a persistent headache for residents. With a median household income over $100,000 and less than 2% of the population living below the poverty line, Longmeadow caters to an affluent demographic seeking a quiet, family-friendly enclave outside the nearby city of Springfield.