Image: Melissa Ann Barrett (Flickr)

Below are the top cities to find “real” desperate housewives. These cities, based on affluence and marital status, are likely to be loaded with bored, wealthy married women who participate in outrageous consumerism, self-centered behavior and other heedless displays of so-called desperation.

Frisco, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas –including the drama queens. Seventy-five percent of the population in Frisco is married. According to Zillow.com, the people who live in Frisco include “Country Clubbers” and “Lap of Luxury” suburbanites. The stay-at-home wives in this Dallas suburb spend their days keeping the local plastic surgeons in business and spending their husbands’ paychecks at Stone Briar Mall.

Newport Beach, Calif.

Nearly one in three Newport households (28.6 percent) earn more than $200,000 a year, and the median home value tops $1 million.  Fifty percent of the population is married, and a large majority of the elite suburbanites in Newport are still single. Ladies, if you are looking for an eligible bachelor to whisk you away to suburban bliss so you can enjoy the good life, then resent him, cheat on him and take all his money in a divorce settlement, this is a good place to move.

Gladwyne, Pennsylvania

Gladwyne, Penn., is a small Philadelphia suburb with a population of just over 4,000. The average household income is about $300,000, and the median cost of a new home is about $800,000. Desperate housewives in this affluent town are likely to be found playing tennis at the Philadelphia Country Club or shopping at the Suburban Square Shopping Centre. If you are in the mood to see a good housewife cat fight, you may find competitive soccer moms getting into it at Miquon Elementary School.

Glencoe, Illinois

There are approximately 8,465 who live in this small suburb near Chicago. The average household income is $257,718. Located just north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, this quaint town is in the middle of four well-to-do country clubs and several golf courses. The stay-at-home wives in this town enjoy lunching at Frank & Betsie’s Restaurant, where they can indulge in an afternoon martini or glass of white wine. There are plenty of spas in the area, but perhaps the most popular among the local desperate housewives is the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa.

Auburn, Ala.

Have you seen the tuition of Auburn University? Most of this area’s residents work at the University of Auburn. With a population of 56,000, the average household income in this zip code is $329,378. The president of Auburn University, G. Jay Gogue, earns $727,761 a year. The Auburn faculty and their families are living high on the hog and are accustomed to a certain lifestyle that fosters desperate housewife behavior. Auburn housewives, who are also considered to be “cougars” or “milfs,” are likely to prey on young male college students or athletes for kicks. The university itself is a great place to find scandal and drama –a perfect stage for a desperate housewife.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Austin, Texas

Image by: Jackie Leigh (Flickr)

Best City for Single Men

New York

If you have ever complained that there are no single women to date in your town, maybe you should consider moving to New York.  According to a recent singles map of the United States from the Boston Globe, the best cities for single men are large metro areas located on the East Coast and Midwest. The best city for single men is New York City, where single women outnumber single men by more than 210,000.

Best City for Single Women

Los Angeles

Ladies, if you are tired of dating hand-me-down men in a market ruled by women, move west where the odds are stacked in your favor of finding “Mr. Right.” According to the latest data by the US Census Bureau, Los Angeles has 90,000 more single men than women. If you are looking to reinvent your love life, you can certainly reposition yourself in Los Angeles as a hot commodity.

Best City for Starting a Family

Virginia Beach, Va.

Perhaps you are looking to reinvent your life with a family in mind. In this case, a low crime rate, good schools, many parks and fun activities are key attractions. According to US News and World Report, Virginia Beach is just the place you are looking for. The city has the most playgrounds of any city in the United States and has 14 miles of free beaches to let your kids run wild. Your kids can explore an impressive ecosystem of species in the 9,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which includes bald eagles and loggerhead sea turtles.

Best City for Starting a Career

Houston

According to Forbes Magazine, Houston is among the nation’s best cities to begin a career. Home to some of America’s strongest big and small companies, Houston attracts the country’s most talented professionals in the nation. Yahoo Hot Jobs ranks Houston as a top job city because it is considered a leader in the oil and gas industry, and a major health services center. Not only is Houston a good city to reinvent yourself for a new career, but it is also a good place to shop, eat out and enjoy a quality lifestyle that is for the most part, affordable.

Best City for Staying Active and Healthy

Boulder, Colo.

If you are turning over a new leaf and want to reinvent yourself as a health nut, consider moving to Boulder for maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle. According to a recent Gallup poll of more than 353,000 Americans, Boulder ranks as the as the “happiest and healthiest” city in America. Western cities have long been ranked as healthy in terms of active adults and healthy lifestyle, but Boulder seems to take the cake this year based on key factors such as health status, nutrition and exercise, mental health and life balance.

Best City for Retiring

Las Cruces, N.M.

Retirement is the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself. Take your hard-earned savings and start a new life to enjoy your golden years. Located in balmy southern New Mexico, Las Cruces is the perfect town to do just that. Who says retirement has to be boring? Many retirees consider this college town the perfect blend of activity and leisure. This city is for active adults who like living in a dry climate with very picturesque scenery. Plus, affordable housing means you can stretch your retirement dollars for years to come.  There are plenty of cultural events to keep you busy and if you are interested in working during your retirement years, you can always pick up a part-time job.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Washington, D.C.

While the name of this television town is completely fictional, there are real towns where cougars live. In case you were wondering, here is a list of the top five cougar towns in the United States.

1. Austin, Texas

About Austin: As a college town, Austin is considered a party town with a hip live music scene. It embraces alternative culture, and while the rest of the state shares conservative political views, Austin is known for offering a more liberal lifestyle. Though mostly artsy and offbeat, upscale designer stores can be found in the 2nd Street District, which is where you will most likely run into the local cougars.

Why Austin is a Cougar Town: Austin also has more single men than single women. Single males in Austin account for more than 22 percent of the population, and the majority of the Austin population is in their 20s. Because cougars often prefer men who are 15 or more years younger than they are, this makes Austin the perfect location for a recent divorcee to get dolled up, go out on the town for some entertainment and hopefully snag the attention of a strapping young lad.

2. Boulder, Colo.

About Boulder: Boulder is the home of the University of Colorado, the state’s largest university. Nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, Boulder is an outdoor lover’s dream with plenty of recreational open space, and ample opportunities for hiking, biking, running, and rock climbing.

Why Boulder is a Cougar Town: Boulder is considered to be a town full of power singles: well-educated, high-income urban singles. The median age in Boulder is 33, and males outnumber females by 6 percent. To keep up with higher-than-average living costs, many cougars are educated corporate executives. Most Boulder cougars are independent and are employed in middle-management professions. Younger professional males who seek out self-sufficient women and don’t waste time playing games will find plenty of eligible cougars in Boulder.

3. Nashville, Tenn.

About Nashville: It may be the Country Music Capital of the World, but downtown Nashville has an increasingly diverse assortment of things to do. Walk down Broadway and 2nd Avenue on a Saturday night, and you’ll find all kinds of entertainment venues, nightclubs and restaurants. Nashville was ranked by Expansion Management magazine as the number one most popular U.S. city for corporate relocations.

Why Nashville is a Cougar Town: Nashville has one of the highest numbers of plastic surgeons in the country. With 48 plastic surgeons in and around Nashville, there are 4.4 surgeons per 100,000 people. Most people in the city of Nashville have college educations and are employed in middle-management professions. There are many corporate professionals, which include high-income, high-spending urban single women. Many of these urban singles include recent divorcees in their 40s who can afford plastic surgery and are on the prowl.

4. Orlando, Fla.

About Orlando: Orlando is best known as one of the most visited cities among vacationers, but it is also a multicultural, urban city with various industries. Considered a major industrial and hi-tech center, metro Orlando is  internationally recognized as an innovation hub for digital media, agricultural technology, aviation, aerospace and software for more than 150 international companies.

Why Orlando is a Cougar Town: The population of Orlando includes many middle- to upper-income singles living in the suburbs. Many earn a comfortable income and own homes. Divorced females account for nearly 15 percent of the population, with the average age being 35. The women in Orlando come from diverse cultural backgrounds, making it an international cougar Mecca for younger single men who are interested in a worldly, well-rounded relationship.

5. San Diego, Calif.

About San Diego: San Diego is the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles. Rated the fifth best place to live in 2006 by “Money Magazine,” San Diego is the perfect town for sun worshipers, sports fans and bicycle-riders. Home to 70 miles of picturesque beaches, San Diego allows residents to experience mountains, the coast and the desert all in one day.

Why San Diego is a Cougar Town: According to members of Yelp.com, several bars in San Diego are cougar hangouts. Some of these bars have code names such as “The Cougar Den” or “The Cub Trap.” From mature military wives who like to let loose when their husbands are at sea to the restless widowed or divorced middle-aged women that still like to party, San Diego has acquired a reputation for attracting women who consider themselves cougars.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Detroit
Image: Irina Slutsky (flickr)

Photo by: Edenpictures on Flickr Creative Commons

Especially if you have kids, playgrounds in your neighborhood can greatly enhance the quality of your daily life. Fortunately, if you live in Philadelphia, there are plenty of neighborhoods with great playgrounds within walking distance from your home. Whether you are a Philly mom looking for some play space for your little ones, or you are an adult looking to satisfy your inner child with some clean open green space, you’ll find these Philadelphia neighborhood parks will accommodate your needs.

Here are three neighborhoods that offer close proximity to some of the best playgrounds in Philadelphia:

1. Society Hill

Three Bears Park has been called a hidden treasure in Society Hill. Local residents with smaller kids love it because it has lots of equipment for young toddlers. Also, it seems to be a social hot spot for parents who are regulars of this neighborhood, which is perfect if you are looking to make friends with other moms or dads.

Starr Garden Playground was established in 1905. While the park has more concrete than green space, the well-kept baseball field and basketball courts make it the perfect place to play sports. For young kids, there are enough slides and swings to keep junior happy. If you are looking for a place to take some cool photos, check out Starr Garden’s inner courtyard. With plenty of benches, a pretty garden, mosaic work and steel statues, it’s a great spot to get away or get inspired.

For older kids, Seger Playground has basketball courts, tennis courts, a dog run and ample grassy areas for relaxing picnics. For kids, Seger Playground offers two playgrounds with fenced-off areas for children under six. The swings and jungle gym are safe, clean and well-maintained. Overall, this park is fun for the whole family.

2. Northern Liberties

Liberty Lands Park is a great park for kids and adults. In the spring and summer you can count on regularly scheduled free outdoor concerts and art festivals. For younger kids, the park’s jungle gym is separated from the rest of the park and has good equipment that is well maintained.

If you live in the Northern Liberties neighborhood in Philadelphia, you are also strategically located within five miles of the three best-rated playgrounds in downtown Philadelphia: Seger Park, Smith Memorial Park and Starr Garden.

3. Fairmount

Smith Memorial Park is by far the most popular play park in this neighborhood and perhaps in the whole area of Philadelphia. Rich in history, this large playground is located in a safe neighborhood and has some of the most modern and cool play equipment you’ve ever seen. Established in 1899, Smith Memorial Park takes outdoor recreation just as seriously as it did during the playground movement of the late 1800s.

If you are looking for a versatile, wide-open and spacious play area, Fairmount Park may be reason enough to move to the Fairmount neighborhood. Fairmount Park is a place where you can escape the urban life of Philly and enjoy one of the largest urban park systems in the country. Fairmount Park features several unique amenities that make regular playgrounds seem dinky. The kids will love running around the open stretch of land, going down to the water and splashing around. If you’d like to introduce them to some culture, take them to see the Japanese Tea House, the Horticulture Center or one of the park’s museums.

Hip Places to Live in Philly

Philly by night / Photo by Yakobusan on Flickr

If you are looking for a cool place to live in Philadelphia, you’re in luck; the growing metro area of Philadelphia has a variety of eclectic neighborhoods to choose from. From rainbow communities to older parts of town with character to areas with green space and environmental awareness, Philadelphia offers multiple options for finding apartments with like-minded hipster neighbors.

Germantown

Germantown has been described as one of the nation’s oldest suburbs, but it is still within the city limits, allowing easy access to public transportation. Home to many middle-class families, there are plenty of neighborhood shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. Residents of Germantown enjoy nearby art galleries and seasonal events and are often involved in community organizations. Fairmount Park is just across the river, which is ideal for outdoor, sporty types who like to go for walks, jog and bike.

Manayunk

If you like a condensed area where you can hop from one bar to another, Manayunk is the place for you. Manayunk has a huge assortment of bars and restaurants. The young, hip crowd can usually be found on Main Street, where there is good live music on most nights at any given bar. On weekends, you can find hundreds of people out on the streets of Manayunk shopping, eating and enjoying the sites. Manayunk was officially named a National Historic District in 1983. Manayunk, also called “Philadelphia’s Main Street,” boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries and dozens of restaurants.

Chestnut Hill

Generally, people who live in Chestnut Hill are geared towards improving their beautiful community through organizations, clubs and social events. If you choose to live in Chestnut Hill, you will enjoy the wide variety of art galleries, restaurants, specialty boutiques and antiques shops. Located on Philadelphia’s northwest boundary, Chestnut Hill is a pedestrian-friendly area, within walking and biking distance of the city’s action. Chestnut Hill is a perfect spot to rent a trendy loft apartment or own a small, older home. If you have a family, your kids will love the many cultural events taking place in Chestnut Hill yearround, including festivals and parades.

Northern Liberties

Northern Liberties is the perfect place to live if you are looking to mix and mingle with the young, outgoing crowds of modern Philadelphia. Known as an alternative night spot for hipsters, the district is home to many eclectic bars and restaurants ranging from small neighborhood bars to larger places such as the Standard Tap. If you are the artsy type, you’ll appreciate that Northern Liberties is one of Philadelphia’s greatest artist magnets, attracting great musical acts at places such as Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus. Despite Northern Liberties’ trend-setting art scene, it maintains a down-to-earth appeal, where you can expect to find plenty of nightlife.

Olde City

Olde City is considered by many as the most happening spot of Philadelphia. Known for the most exciting collection of art galleries on the East Coast, Olde City is full of unique shops, restaurants and theaters.  Locals enjoy strolling through Independence Park, lying on the western edge of Olde City. If you are a history buff, you will appreciate the rich history of this old Pennsylvanian town. Soak up the historical architecture as you walk along the streets. Olde City is home to many different people including young professionals, artists and writers, doctors and lawyers, shopkeepers and families with young children.

Queen Village

As Philadelphia’s first neighborhood, Queen Village has a rich past that makes it one of the city’s most interesting places to live. Not only does it offer  the standard attractions of any other hip town, such as cool restaurants, nice bars and an eclectic shopping district (South Street), but it also hosts the oldest and largest fabric row in the country (4th Street Fabric Row).  The Queen Village neighborhood, which is home to over 7,000 residents, is within walking distance of Independence Hall, Penn’s Landing, the Italian Market and Center City. Queen Village’s thriving business and residential areas make it one of the city’s most charming and livable communities in Philadelphia.