Weston

Children explore the man-made snow at Weston Ski Track last winter. In summer, golf takes over as a prime recreation. (DANIEL SMITH/WESTON SKI TRACK/FILE 2008)

THE GOODS Weston conjures up images of green: first money and then open space. Some of the wealthiest people in the state live in this town. You can see it in the gorgeously renovated historic Colonials, the small winding tree-lined roads, and the tight little sports cars. Its location on a high plateau provides remarkable views. Weston has more than 60 miles of green space for horseback riding, hiking, and golfing. The old Farmer's Corner, as it was first known after breaking off from Watertown, is a place where property stays in the same family through generations. One of the oldest buildings - the Josiah Smith Tavern from 1757 - has been restored and will become a restaurant with Weston's first modern-day liquor license after residents recently voted to end its status as a dry town.

PROS The school district is a sharp, well-supported leader in the state. Residents are generous, having organized a volunteer and fund-raising effort to build a new community center in Pearlington, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina. The majority of homes in Weston are magnificent. Most of the antiques are center-entrance Colonials renovated to period but also including state-of-the-art amenities. New construction are exclusive homes, many with home theaters, perched on large lots set back off the road and carved out of wooded areas.

CONS While first-time home buyers can enjoy the scenery, realistically they should keep driving . . . unless you're one of the families who live in the town's six units of affordable housing. There's not much in the way of local commerce, and residents who want a drink still have to drive out of town since the tavern isn't set to open until 2013.

FRANCI R. ELLEMENT