In parts of the Mediterranean, living into your 90s (and beyond) isn’t unusual. These “blue zone” communities have long been seen as proof that, under the right conditions, a longer life isn’t just luck — it’s shaped by lifestyle, environment, and daily habits.

The U.S. doesn’t carry the same reputation — but it does have its own pockets where people seem to thrive well into later life.

So where in America do people feel most confident about their future — and why? A Mission for Michael commissioned Cherry Data Signals to survey 3,025 respondents, exploring how people think about their own longevity — not just in years, but in terms of control, optimism, and mindset.

Respondents were asked to estimate their chances of reaching 100. From this, they identified the communities with the strongest “longevity mindset” — places where people feel most positive, proactive, and in control of their long-term health.

The top 10 communities where people are most confident of reaching 100:

#1. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine blends history, walkability, and coastal living into a lifestyle that naturally supports long-term wellbeing. With pedestrian-friendly streets, easy access to the waterfront, and a steady rhythm that encourages time outdoors, staying active feels like part of daily life. There’s also a strong sense of place and community, which helps support social connection. It’s the kind of environment where routine movement and a slower pace work together over time.

#2. Kula, Hawaii
Upcountry Maui has a more rustic, alternative feel than the beach towns below, and Kula captures that especially well. It’s a quaint area on the slopes of Haleakalā known for farms, botanical gardens and rich volcanic soil, with the wider Upcountry region rooted in agriculture and small-scale rural living. That makes it a strong fit for a longevity angle built around lower stress, local food and a more intentional pace of life.

#3. Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin offers a more relaxed, community-driven version of healthy living. Anchored by the Pinellas Trail and a network of parks and waterfront spaces, it makes walking and cycling feel like second nature. Residents often point to that everyday activity, combined with a friendly, low-stress atmosphere, as key to feeling positive about their long-term health — a mindset that aligns with greater confidence about living longer.

#4. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville blends outdoor living with a strong creative and wellness-focused culture. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, it encourages regular movement through hiking, walking, and time spent outside, while its arts scene keeps people mentally engaged. In communities like this, residents often feel that lifestyle plays a direct role in longevity, with many expressing confidence that their routines and environment could support them living well into older age.

#5. Northshore Chattanooga, Tennessee
Northshore brings a more active, neighborhood-scale version of healthy living into the city. Access to the Tennessee Riverwalk and nearby green spaces makes walking and cycling part of everyday life, while local businesses and community spaces keep people socially connected. That balance between movement and engagement often shapes how residents view their future health, with many feeling confident about living well into later life.

#6. Hanalei, Hawaii
Hanalei offers a slower, more grounded take on long-term wellbeing. At the foot of misty mountains and alongside its famous taro fields, it has a setting that feels deeply tied to nature and everyday routine. Communities like this can naturally foster the sense that a long life is something you can shape through pace, environment and daily habits — which fits neatly with the mindset side of your survey.

#7. Blue Hill, Maine
Blue Hill leans into a quieter, more reflective way of living. Surrounded by forests and coastline, it encourages a slower pace where routines feel easier to maintain. Daily life often includes time outdoors and close community interaction, both of which support long-term wellbeing. In places like this, residents often feel that consistency and environment play a meaningful role in how long they can live.

#8. Haleʻiwa, Hawaii
Haleʻiwa has a laid-back, surf-town rhythm that makes healthy living feel unforced. Known as the social and artistic hub of Oʻahu’s North Shore, it’s surrounded by famous beaches and local food spots, giving it a strong mix of movement, outdoor time and community life. It’s easy to frame as the kind of place where people stay active almost by default, simply because the setting pulls them outside.

#9. Midway, Kentucky
Midway leans into a quieter, small-town rhythm that feels easy to sustain. With walkable streets, local shops, and surrounding countryside, it encourages regular movement and time outdoors without much effort. Residents often point to that balance between activity and pace as a reason they feel positive about their long-term health, making it a natural fit for a longevity-focused angle.

#10. Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola leans into a quieter, more unhurried way of life. With its coastal setting and small-town scale, it encourages time outdoors and a slower daily rhythm that feels easier to maintain. Fishing, walking, and community interaction are part of everyday life rather than planned activities. It’s a place where lower stress and consistency help support both physical and mental wellbeing over time.

North Carolina has 2 other communities most confident about reaching 100 years old:

#17. Boone
Boone offers a more outdoors-driven take on wellbeing. Set in the mountains, it naturally encourages walking, hiking, and year-round activity, while its smaller scale helps maintain a strong sense of community. That combination of movement and connection shapes how people think about long-term health, with many feeling that staying active in this kind of environment makes living to 100 feel more achievable.

#31. Carrboro
Carrboro leans into a more grounded, community-first version of healthy living. Known for its local food culture, walkability, and strong social ties, it encourages a pace that feels manageable and consistent. Daily life often revolves around connection and routine rather than pressure, and residents frequently point to that balance as a reason they feel optimistic about their chances of reaching 100.

North Carolina drivers could soon stop paying for vehicle emissions tests under a major proposal backed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA announced it agrees with a request from state regulators to eliminate emissions inspections.

“Through cooperative federalism, EPA is working with North Carolina to lower costs for their residents while maintaining protection for human health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber in a press release. “EPA is committed to eliminating unnecessary burdens to make testing more convenient and affordable for drivers and ensuring clean air for all Americans.” 

If approved after a 30-day public comment period, drivers in North Carolina would no longer need emissions testing during annual vehicle inspections.

State officials say improved air quality means the testing program is no longer necessary to meet federal standards.

According to the EPA, ending the inspections would save North Carolina drivers nearly $20 million per year without significantly impacting air quality.

Even if the emissions requirement disappears, drivers statewide would still need annual safety inspections. Standard safety inspections currently cost $13.60, while combined safety and emissions inspections cost about $30.

North Carolina’s emissions program began in 1982 and once covered nearly half the state. Officials say the effort helped reduce smog-causing pollution from high-emission vehicles.

The state has gradually scaled back the program as air quality improved. In 2019, emissions testing ended in 26 counties, followed by three more in 2022.