Best Places to Live: Best Places for the Rich and Single

Follow the money to these towns and cities, where affluent young professionals are abundant.

1. Newport Beach, CA

Population: 79,661

Single: 30%

Median Family Income: $144,917

This hip coastal town offers the glamour of nearby Los Angeles without the grunge of the big city. Add the sun, surf, and sand to this suburban paradise, and it's no surprise Newport Beach ranks at the top of our list of best places for affluent singles. After you land that date with a wealthy surfer, take a romantic gondola cruise -- or better yet -- shop for yachts which are plentiful here. Afterward, take a romantic stroll along the mile-long stretch of Corona Del Mar with a latte in hand for a day of window shopping at fashionable boutiques, vintage stores and even a doggy spa. 

2. Newton, MA

Population: 82,139
Single: 31.3%  
Median Family Income: $138,070

It may be the home of Heartbreak Hill, the legendary slope that challenges runners during the final stretch of the Boston Marathon, but don't let that discourage you. Boston's rich and famous shack up in this suburb just west of Beantown, and you might spot some young hunks like "The Office's" John Krasinski, who frequents his hometown for a weekend visit to his parents' house. Keep your night casual with pizza and beer as you cheer on the Red Sox or the Celtics at a local bar -- or head to Boston and tour the historic city on the Old Town Trolley. 

3. Brookline, MA

Population: 57,929  
Single: 42%  
Median Family Income: $124,035 

If you're looking for suave and sophisticated company, start your search in this suburb, which is full of Boston's highly educated. In fact, nearly half of Brookline's population boasts a master's degree. Slip on your golf or tennis polo (or even your curling sliders) and head to the oldest country club in the nation to schmooze with high-profile politicians and corporate executives. If you're lucky, you might even score an invitation to one of their vacation homes on Cape Cod.

4. Sandy Springs, GA

Population: 82,674  
Single: 35.6%  
Median Family Income: $115,171  

Charming Southern gentlemen and sweet Georgia peaches in this Atlanta suburb are making the rounds at one of three major hospitals in the area or running operations at a Fortune 500 company like United Parcel Service or Newell Rubbermaid. Thanks to the natural springs the city is named for and the Chattahoochee River that flows through it, Sandy Springs offers a tranquil and peaceful setting for romance to blossom. After taking a stroll along the riverbank, head to Buckhead, Atlanta's vibrant uptown district, for a night on the town.

5. Irvine, CA

Population: 207,500  
Single: 31.3%  
Median Family Income: $113,768 

A stone's throw from Laguna Beach and an hour's drive from bustling Los Angeles, Irvine serves as home base for many tech startups, so look no further for both engineer and business types. Take your date on a tour of a local strawberry farm, or if you're feeling more carnivorous, head to the In-N-Out Burger -- which is headquartered there -- for a burger and shake to die for. (Hint: Try ordering from the secret menu). Then work off those calories at one of the city's several championship golf courses or with a game of ultimate Frisbee.

6. Milpitas, CA

Population: 67,503  
Single: 30.4%  
Median Family Income: $113,735 

Ever dream of flying? Give it a try in this Silicon Valley town, which serves as the epicenter of Northern California's hang gliding and paragliding community. Milpitas has one of the largest ratios of residents to parkland in the San Francisco Bay area. All that wide-open green space and a warm, Mediterranean-like climate make it great for outdoor sports all year-round, and young singles enjoy hiking, fishing and cycling in Ed R. Levin Park. Plus, the dog park there can be a great place to find puppy love.

7. Sunnyvale, CA

Population: 133,876  
Single: 30%  
Median Family Income: $110,276

Geek is chic in this hub for tech companies, where you're likely to meet an engineer from Yahoo!, Honeywell, Palm or Lockheed Martin at the latest Tweetup or "Tech and Beer" happy hour. Flirt over the latest gadgets and a cup of Joe at the Sunnyvale Art Gallery's café, where Thursday is open mic night. Or take a romantic walk through the historic Murphy Avenue area downtown -- a popular place for bar-hopping, open-air summer concerts and farmers markets.

8. Mountain View, CA

Population: 73,093  
Single: 34.8%  
Median Family Income: $109,215 

With NASA and Google in town, Mountain View is the perfect place to find a rocket scientist. Googlers alone range from former neurosurgeons, CEOs and puzzle champions to alligator wrestlers and Marines, so there's no shortage of interesting dates. But since eligible bachelors outnumber women in this town, the savviest singles may want to head to wine-tasting classes, get involved in a local charity, or try yoga -- instead of standing around in a bar. 

9. Chapel Hill, NC

Population: 53,713  
Single: 50.6%  
Median Family Income: $106,865  

Who doesn't love a little southern charm? This college town has a lively nightlife, rowdy Tar Heel games and home-style cooking for singles of all ages to enjoy. Mingle with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes on bar-lined Franklin Street, or take a date to Crook's Corner for some nationally-acclaimed grits and banana pudding. Cheering on your favorite U.N.C. team is also a surefire way to take the edge off a first date. And if you're into music, find someone who will rock your world at nearby Cat's Cradle, a small venue where local bands perform alongside big acts like The Counting Crows, John Mayer and Iggy Pop. 

10. Santa Clara, CA

Population: 110,200  
Single: 34%  
Median Family Income: $105,516  

European-style streets lined with upscale shops, spas and restaurants give this Silicon Valley `burb a sophisticated appeal. Stroll along Santana Row for luxury boutiques and bars. Like many of Santa Clara's neighboring towns, you're likely to meet wealthy techies here, but that's not all. Since the 49ers are headquartered here, you can also rub elbows with eligible single football players and cheerleaders. 



Resource: Finance.Yahoo.com