Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Located on the east side of Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant prides itself on its laid-back atmosphere and high quality of life — thanks in part to its abundant parks, water access, and picturesque beaches.
The Arthur Ravenel Bridge, spanning the Cooper River, links Mount Pleasant with downtown Charleston. At its foot is the naval museum of Patriots Point — home to the World War II-era aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown.
Residents enjoy low crime rates, excellent public schools and plentiful cultural amenities. The Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, for example, is home to an upscale shopping center; dining options include fresh-caught seafood to local barbeque. Shopping for bargains also just got a little easier: The second Costco store of the Charleston area just opened in Mount Pleasant, to much fanfare. — Sergei Klebnikov