The Villages, FL, United States

This retirement community of 79,077 residents is a self-contained utopia where bureaucracy is a persistent headache. The tax burden is heavy, thanks to a labyrinth of community development districts that manage everything from infrastructure to golf courses. While crime is low, the "fanciful past" propagated by the developers can feel oppressive. Overall, The Villages caters to a very specific demographic - deep-pocketed retirees seeking an active, insular lifestyle.