FALMOUTH — A personal finance website says Falmouth Foreside is one of the top 20 places for a “dream” retirement in the U.S.

AOL’s WalletPop.com ranks the neighborhood 12th, with a score of 87 out of 100 possible points, just after Wheeling, W. Va. Towson, Md., is listed as the No. 1 “Retirement Dream Area,” with a score of 92.

The rankings were determined using data gathered by NeighborhoodScout.com, a search engine that provides profiles of neighborhoods and towns across the country.

“Each of the locations chosen have a combination of housing options, beautiful surroundings, a vibrant mix of educated seniors and other age groups, very low crime, peace and quiet, and amenities for every taste,” AOL spokesman Chris Savarese said.

The site describes the Foreside neighborhood as “equisite,” listing its “Cape Cod style homes,” proximity to Portland, yacht club and country club as determining factors. The site also states that Falmouth is “one of the most educated neighborhoods in America.”

The site provides a map, links to area Realtors and nearby communities. Foreside’s median home value is listed as nearly $464,000, almost $100,000 less than Townson’s. However, compared to the No. 13 community, Menlo Park, Calif., with its $1.76 million median home value, the Foreside looks downright affordable.

NeighborhoodScout.com also has an in-depth profile of Falmouth, listing the town as primarily a white-collar, family friendly town where more than half of the adults have four-year college degrees. 

The profile states that Falmouth is home to many people who could be described as “urban sophisticates.” It defines urban sophisticates as “people who are both educated and wealthy, and thus tend to be older, richer, and more established than young professionals.”

Emily Parkhurst can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or eparkhurst@theforecaster.net