Expertise
Road Trip Playlists, Navigating Public Transportation, Vacation Itineraries
- Sara has profiled hundreds of U.S. neighborhoods for Homes.com, covering everything from real estate to public transit.
- Her travel writing has taken her across the country, where she's interviewed local politicians, tried secret menu items at restaurant openings, and gotten lost in the airport.
- When she's on the road, Sara enjoys small-town museums and ghost stories.
Experience
Sara has been writing professionally since graduating from college. Over the course of her writing career, Sara has covered everything from real estate and city planning to beauty trends and second-hand fashion. She also covered celebrity news and lifestyle products for The List, and crafted video essays for YouTube channels like The Take. While an undergraduate, Sara received honors for writing a book of single-line poems. She's also taken part in dozens of workshop groups in genres like food writing, comedy, and memoir with the goal of improving her work.
Education
Sara earned a B.A. (Hons.) in literary arts from Brown University, specializing in creative nonfiction and poetry.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Vermont
By Sara Caskey 7 days ago
This charming small town in Vermont has beautiful views of the Green Mountains and offers visitors a rail trail, cute cafes, and two rushing rivers to explore.
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California
By Sara Caskey 10 days ago
Beyond its steep cost of living, this Southern California community draws visitors with Vietnamese cuisine, cultural festivals, parks, and coastal access.
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New Jersey
By Sara Caskey 14 days ago
Tucked near Philadelphia, visitors can experience historic sites from the Revolutionary War, a nature trail, and delicious restaurants in this township.
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Massachusetts
By Sara Caskey 14 days ago
Looking to retire? Swap Boston for this East Coast town — which has stunning beaches, charming boutiques, and a historic downtown with seafood restaurants.
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United States
By Sara Caskey 1 month ago
For coastal living during retirement, without the crowds and prices of Boston, consider one of these smaller New England towns that punch above their weight.
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Oklahoma
By Sara Caskey 1 month ago
Aside from its close proximity to Oklahoma's capital city, this populous suburb attracts countless visitors with fishing poles or picnic baskets in tow.
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Oklahoma
By Sara Caskey 1 month ago
This planned community close to Oklahoma City is near Tinker Air Force Base. There’s plenty to do with shopping, good eats, and trail walking along a creek.
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Wisconsin
By Sara Caskey 2 months ago
Hidden in Wisconsin is a small city with a well-stocked lake to fish in, quiet campgrounds to enjoy, and a quaint downtown with shopping and restaurants.
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Hotels and Resorts
By Sara Caskey 2 months ago
It's no secret that guests often steal things from their hotel rooms. Here are the items that are most commonly taken, according to hotel workers.
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Pennsylvania
By Sara Caskey 2 months ago
This arboretum is a place where nature and history intersect, and visitors can expect beautiful trails and gardens, as well as old buildings to explore.
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Illinois
By Sara Caskey 2 months ago
While it may share a name with the bigger Texas city, this small town in Illinois is full of its own charm, with great local eats and several antique shops.
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Ohio
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
Though it might not be as well-known as other spots in Ohio, this tiny city is home to several charming parks, unique covered bridges, and a cozy downtown.
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Ohio
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
Not far from downtown Cincinnati, you'll find a gem of a historic property that now features serene trails — and even ruins — on a hilly nature preserve.
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Ohio
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
If you're in the Columbus, Ohio, there are suburbs worth checking out as well, like this one that is full of scenic trails and railroad history.
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Texas
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
This suburb, "biggest small town in Texas", blends upscale charm with a lively downtown, boutique shopping, and a welcoming community vibe.
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Arkansas
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
This suburban community began as a popular home base for employees of nearby plants. Today, it's a picture of historic preservation and a growing population.
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California
By Sara Caskey 3 months ago
This upscale neighborhood in suburban Bakersfield, California, is an accessible community offering plenty of walkable shopping options and gourmet eats.
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Virginia
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
Virginia's Eastern Shore is a hidden gem, full of idyllic little towns to get lost in while antiquing, kayaking, or just rambling on quiet beaches.
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Illinois
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
The Illinois river takes a brief westward jog between Rockford and Peoria. Sitting on the bank is an adorable former mining town turned fishing destination.
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South Carolina
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
Explore Columbia’s historic Arcade Building, South Carolina’s oldest indoor mall, with unique shops, art galleries, restaurants and Main Street attractions.
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Massachusetts
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
Convenient to the cities, but full of small-town appeal and historic interest, this spot is great for a stay at a cozy inn or a stroll through a natural area.
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Ohio
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
You can't beat those college town vibes, and they are alive and well in this charming neighborhood just a hop, skip, and a jump from downtown Dayton.
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Ohio
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
Ohio is packed with villages with plenty to explore in terms of nature, history, and dining, including this spot less than an hour's drive from the Queen City.
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New Jersey
By Sara Caskey 4 months ago
A commonly overlooked town is ideal for retirement, with authentic cuisine, plenty of green space, convenient medical care, and relatively low real estate tax.
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Massachusetts
By Sara Caskey 5 months ago
Spend your golden years in a place that won't leave you frustrated with chaotic city streets. This adorable, under-the-radar alternative is an ideal pick.
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Connecticut
By Sara Caskey 5 months ago
If you want to retire in New England, consider that smaller town in Connecticut, for example, can be more comfortable than a national metropolis like Boston.
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Chicago, Illinois
By Sara Caskey 5 months ago
If you are looking for gorgeous golf courses and a small town with a charming vibe, this Chicago suburb is worth the train ride in from the city.
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