Ocotillo, CA

Tucked into the desert along Interstate 8 west of El Centro, Ocotillo is a tiny, quiet community suited for anyone who loves wide-open spaces and desert solitude. Life here moves at a slow pace against a backdrop of rugged mountains, with exceptionally dark night skies that draw stargazers to the local Imperial Valley Desert Museum and its observatory. Summers bring intense heat and wind, and you will need to drive into neighboring towns for most groceries and services. For retirees or remote workers looking for affordable, minimalist desert living, Ocotillo offers plenty of room to breathe.