How to choose the right small town

Small towns come in many shapes, and the right one depends on your family. In the book, Frank and Dave sort them into six types. Many towns lean toward one of these, even if they borrow a little from another.

Here's a look at each type, followed by the other big question: how far from the city you want to be.

The tourist town

A big share of the local economy comes from visitors. The season might last a few months, or it might run all year, as in many towns near national parks.

The upside: visitors support more restaurants, shops and attractions than the locals could alone, and there's usually something happening on weekends. Frank's town is a tourist town, and the book points out how nice it is to have a good restaurant in town for a special dinner, without driving to the city.

Watch for: crowds in the busy season, and home prices that can climb where visitors buy second homes.

The college town

A college or university is the biggest employer and shapes everything. There are games, concerts, plays and good places to eat. There's also a sense of security, since colleges rarely close, and summer break brings a quieter stretch when the town catches its breath.

The upside: constant activity, people from all kinds of backgrounds, and classes close by if you want to go back to school yourself.

Watch for: higher home prices. The book notes that professors and students' families tend to be well off, which pushes prices up, especially in town.

The gated-community town

This is really a large planned subdivision out in the country, built for people who want rural space with the security of a suburb. Expect amenities like a pool and a golf course, and often a staffed gate.

The upside: security, amenities and a ready-made social calendar. It appeals especially to retirees and to couples whose kids are grown.

Watch for: neighbors who are mostly alike, a social life built around organized gatherings, and a setting that suits children less well. Homes tend to cost more, with fewer choices.

The dying town

This is a town past its best days, with nothing on the horizon to bring it back. Many businesses have closed and many houses sit empty.

The upside: very cheap real estate.

Watch for: nearly everything else. The book warns that crime tends to rise as a town declines, and the slow slide wears on everyone. Its advice is to avoid this kind of town, even if you plan to live out in the country on your own.

The solid but exclusive town

This town is prosperous and healthy, often built on farming, but families keep to themselves and to their relatives. Newcomers can feel like outsiders for a very long time.

The upside: privacy. People who want a quiet life without much social obligation can thrive here, and the book notes it suits some retirees well.

Watch for: loneliness. If you're counting on new friends and invitations, this town may leave you on the outside.

The boom town

This is a small town quickly turning into a bigger one. The signs are hard to miss: every national chain opening at once, and large apartment complexes going up.

The upside: property values are usually rising as more people need housing.

Watch for: the small-town feel may not last, and new subdivisions can pull down the prices of older homes.

How far from the city?

Before you start looking, decide how far from a big city you want to be. Some small towns sit about an hour from a major metro area. Others are two or three hours out, or more.

If you'll miss pro sports, concerts or live theater, the book suggests limiting your search to towns within about 60 miles of a city. If you won't look back, you can go farther. The book's general rule is that the farther out you go, the fewer people and the lower the home prices.

Check the hospital

Health care matters more as you get older. If a town is far from the city, make sure there's a good hospital within reach. Ask where the nearest emergency room is, and where the most serious cases are sent.

The road matters as much as the miles

The road between you and the city matters as much as the distance. As the book points out, an interstate at 70 miles per hour is a very different trip from a farm road at 45. Test-drive the route at the times you'd really make it, and in bad weather if you can.

Narrow it down

Which type fits best is a decision only your family can make. The town type quiz can help you sort out which kinds of towns suit you. Then use the must-haves guide to test your short list against what each person needs.

The free book has Frank and Dave's full descriptions of each type of town.