Where you live can shape how you work, spend your free time, connect with others, and plan for the future. For people who work remotely, are approaching retirement, or are considering a second home, the freedom to choose a location creates exciting possibilities.
But finding the right destination involves more than choosing a beautiful place.
Quality-of-life and remote work magazines can help you explore American destinations, compare lifestyle priorities, understand regional differences, and discover communities that support the way you want to live.
Some publications specialize in relocation research. Others focus on travel, outdoor recreation, home design, or flexible working lifestyles.
This guide compares seven publications and explains how to use them to make a more informed relocation decision.
Several established American publications offer useful information for people exploring relocation, remote work, and lifestyle changes.
| Publication | Primary focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ideal-LIVING | Relocation, retirement destinations, lifestyle communities, and second homes | Comparing communities and planning a lifestyle-focused move |
| Livability | Quality of life, cities, towns, and economic development | Researching places to live and work across America |
| Outside | Outdoor recreation, adventure, and active lifestyles | Finding destinations that support an outdoor-oriented lifestyle |
| Dwell | Home design, architecture, and modern living | Exploring homes and spaces suited to flexible lifestyles |
| Travel + Leisure | Destinations, travel experiences, and lifestyle inspiration | Discovering regions before planning an extended stay |
| Kiplinger | Personal finance, retirement, and financial planning | Evaluating the financial side of relocation |
| International Living | Overseas retirement, relocation, and living abroad | Exploring international alternatives to U.S. destinations |
Best starting point: For a move within the United States, combine a relocation-focused publication such as ideal-LIVING with destination research from Livability and financial information from Kiplinger.
Not all seven are dedicated remote-work magazines. Each contributes a different perspective to the broader decision about where and how to live.
Best for: Adults considering retirement relocation, a second home, or a lifestyle-focused move that may include remote work.
For more than 30 years, ideal-LIVING has helped people explore destinations and discover communities that match their lifestyle goals.
Unlike publications focused primarily on travel or home design, ideal-LIVING emphasizes the decisions involved in choosing where to live.
Readers can explore:
For remote workers, these resources can help identify destinations that offer the combination of home, recreation, community, and everyday convenience they want.
Why it stands out: ideal-LIVING connects destination inspiration with practical community research, helping readers move from considering a lifestyle change to exploring actual places to live.
Explore: ideal-LIVING Magazine and relocation resources
Best for: Readers who want to evaluate different places based on quality-of-life factors.
Livability publishes destination guides and articles about American cities and communities.
Its coverage includes topics such as:
For remote workers who can live outside traditional employment centers, this type of information can help identify cities and towns worth researching.
Why it stands out: Livability focuses on the broader experience of living in a place, rather than only visiting it.
Explore: Livability
Best for: People whose ideal lifestyle includes hiking, cycling, kayaking, skiing, or other outdoor recreation.
Outside offers coverage of adventure, outdoor destinations, fitness, and active living.
For someone choosing between coastal and mountain communities, its destination content can help reveal what daily recreation might look like.
Consider how a location supports your interests:
Why it stands out: Outside helps readers imagine how outdoor recreation could become part of everyday life rather than an occasional vacation.
Explore: Outside
Best for: Remote workers and second-home buyers interested in home design, functionality, and comfortable living spaces.
Dwell focuses on architecture, interiors, and contemporary residential design.
Its content can inspire buyers to think about how a home supports both work and personal life.
Important features may include:
Why it stands out: Dwell encourages readers to consider not just where they want to live, but how their home should function.
Explore: Dwell
Best for: Readers who want inspiration before narrowing down potential relocation destinations.
Travel + Leisure covers destinations, hospitality, cultural experiences, and travel trends.
Although it is not primarily a relocation publication, it can help readers discover appealing regions and communities.
Use destination articles to explore:
Why it stands out: Travel + Leisure is useful for the early inspiration stage, when buyers are identifying places they may want to experience firsthand.
Explore: Travel + Leisure
Best for: Readers comparing taxes, retirement finances, housing expenses, and the affordability of different locations.
A lifestyle move should support both personal goals and long-term financial priorities.
Kiplinger covers personal finance and retirement planning topics that can help readers research:
For remote workers, financial considerations may also include state tax obligations and employer policies.
Why it stands out: Kiplinger provides a financial perspective that complements destination and lifestyle research.
Explore: Kiplinger
Best for: Readers who are open to international retirement or location-independent living.
International Living covers overseas destinations, expatriate lifestyles, retirement abroad, and international relocation considerations.
Its content can help readers explore:
Although its focus is primarily outside the United States, it can provide a useful comparison for readers considering both domestic and international options.
Why it stands out: International Living broadens the conversation beyond U.S. destinations.
Explore: International Living
Different publications serve different stages of the relocation process.
| Your primary goal | Publications to explore |
|---|---|
| Find lifestyle communities in the United States | ideal-LIVING |
| Compare American cities and towns | Livability |
| Prioritize outdoor recreation | Outside |
| Design or choose a remote-work-friendly home | Dwell |
| Discover destinations for an extended visit | Travel + Leisure |
| Research taxes and financial considerations | Kiplinger |
| Consider living outside the United States | International Living |
The strongest research strategy often involves using more than one publication.
For example, you might discover an appealing town through Livability, explore its outdoor lifestyle through Outside, and use ideal-LIVING to investigate residential communities in the surrounding area.
An attractive destination is only one part of a successful remote living move.
Before choosing a location, evaluate these six essentials.
Verify broadband providers, service availability at the exact address, upload speeds, reliability, and backup connectivity options.
Do not assume an entire community has the same internet service.
Look for homes with adequate office space, comfortable layouts, and the flexibility to accommodate guests or extended family.
Compare housing prices, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, transportation, and everyday expenses.
Research access to hospitals, primary care, specialists, pharmacies, and essential services.
Consider walkability, recreational amenities, social opportunities, cultural activities, and the overall pace of life.
If you work for an employer, confirm whether remote work is permitted from your intended state or location.
State tax obligations and employment requirements may differ, so seek qualified advice when necessary.
For additional research, explore our guide to the best platforms for remote work community search.
Coastal and mountain communities are popular choices for people seeking more lifestyle flexibility.
However, each offers different considerations.
| Lifestyle factor | Coastal communities | Mountain communities |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation | Beaches, boating, kayaking, and waterfront activities | Hiking, biking, skiing, and scenic trails |
| Climate | Varies from mild to hot and humid | Varies by elevation, with potentially cooler temperatures |
| Housing considerations | Coastal weather exposure and insurance | Terrain, winter access, and location-specific hazards |
| Everyday lifestyle | Waterfront activities and coastal towns | Outdoor recreation and mountain-town culture |
| Connectivity | Verify at each address | Verify at each address, particularly in remote areas |
| Seasonal factors | Tourism, storms, and seasonal population changes | Winter conditions, tourism, and seasonal access |
For a more detailed comparison, read our coastal versus mountain second-home guide.
Reading about destinations is a useful first step. The next step is turning that information into a practical shortlist.
Use this five-step approach:
If you're comparing regions, our retirement region comparison guide offers additional criteria that can be useful for relocation and second-home planning.
ideal-LIVING focuses on relocation, retirement destinations, and lifestyle communities. Livability covers American cities and quality-of-life considerations, while Outside, Dwell, Travel + Leisure, and Kiplinger provide complementary information about recreation, housing, destinations, and finances. These publications can help remote workers and lifestyle buyers research potential places to live.
ideal-LIVING is a useful starting point for readers researching retirement relocation, 55+ communities, active adult neighborhoods, and lifestyle-focused destinations. It combines destination information with resources for exploring residential communities.
Yes. Lifestyle magazines can introduce readers to destinations, recreation, housing ideas, and quality-of-life considerations. However, remote workers should also independently verify internet availability, employment requirements, housing costs, and local services before relocating.
Look for reliable internet access, a suitable home workspace, healthcare availability, everyday conveniences, recreation, social opportunities, and manageable living costs. Confirm that your employer permits work from the intended location if applicable.
Travel magazines can help readers discover appealing destinations and learn about regional attractions. For permanent relocation, supplement travel content with housing research, local government information, financial comparisons, and firsthand community visits.
Compare climate, housing costs, insurance, healthcare access, internet service, recreation, seasonal conditions, and proximity to family. Use lifestyle publications for initial research, real estate resources for property information, and discovery visits to evaluate communities firsthand.
Whether you're planning a retirement move, purchasing a second home, or looking for a destination that supports remote work, the right information can help you make a more confident decision.
For more than 30 years, ideal-LIVING has helped people discover destinations and explore communities that fit the lifestyle they envision.
Explore desirable destinations, compare lifestyle communities, and discover resources to help you plan your next move.
Your Digital Relocation Guide will be delivered by email, and your ideal-LIVING Magazine will be mailed to your address.