On the theory that life must be better in these towns, because they cost so much to get into: Weston, Wellesley, Lincoln, Manchester, Beverly Farms, Cohasset and Lexington.

For the urban lovers among us: Beacon Hill, parts of Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville (Davis Square),

Other great New England destinations and beyond: Here's what "franksmartin" had to say: Would survive in Arlington. Beyond that to the north I wouldn't stop till I got to Portsmouth NH, Portland ME or Burlington VT. To the west its Northampton or Great Barrington. Southbound, may as well go straight to Manhattan or Brooklyn, but have heard decent things about Providence RI.

Towns that the rest of us, like me, might be able to afford? Sorry, the only one nominated was Canton. Now as I look at this list, I wonder if we are being a bit snobby here? So I will throw in my hometown of Natick. Yes, it's self serving, but the schools are good, the prices are reasonable compared to neighboring Wellesley, and the downtown is just as cute.

• Milton- Okay bedroom community, but nothing much there, wrote gcbma. Lacks major grocery stores, restaurants, other service and retail unless you want to drive over to the Quincy line.

• Acton- Reputedly good schools, with school choice. Town okay, but not great. 26 miles from Boston if you go the shortest route down Route 2 through congested Alewife-to-Memorial Drive route, even farther if you go down main arteries like Route 3 or I-93. Has a commuter rail.

• Chelmsford- No idea how this town made the list, unless the authors got lazy and plagiarized the no-name town from a previous list.T