As our adventure wound down, we assembled a lengthy list of cities we’d enjoy calling home; then we narrowed it to five. Our decision process included a mission statement to keep a level playing field.

In summary, here's how the final five fared:

Portland, Oregon: Nice city but larger than our ideal; feels like all its historic restoration has already been completed (that’s no fun). B+

Missoula, Montana - Breathtaking surroundings! This city has Montana’s best employment potential, but not enough to make a go of it in this state. A-

Asheville, North Carolina - Can’t say enough about this place! Artsy, alive and irresistible. The fatal flaw is its paltry job market. A-

Lexington, Kentucky - Great atmosphere; lots of potential. Came in 2nd to Portland, Maine only because it’s not quite as thrilling. A

Portland, Maine: Salty air, working waterfront, historic architecture, vibrant art, world-class cuisine and beaches. These are some of the reasons why we’ve chosen to call Vacationland home! A+