BEND, Ore. (CNN/Money) - There are plenty of reasons why average home prices in Wellesley, Mass., Darien, Conn. and Lake Forest, Ill. are nearly $1 million. Square footage isn't one of them.

Not every resident of these exclusive enclaves lives in a sprawling mansion. They pay a hefty housing premium for the privilege of running errands in quaint downtowns, living in historic homes and sending their children to some of the best public schools in the country.

Pricey Places Places in the CNN/Money Best Places database with highest average home prices Town  Average Home Price  Population  Wellesley, Mass.  $978,026  26,519  Darien, Conn.  $957,730  19,796  Lake Forest, Ill.  $877,840  20,566  Danville, Calif.  $833,309   43,382  Mercer Island, Wash.  $817,074  21,908  Westport, Conn.  $799,969  25,899  Harrison, N.Y.  $797,261  24,719  Potomac, Md.  $763,021  45,166  Calabasas, Calif.  $738,699  20,933  Brentwood, Calif.  $662,292  26,111   Source:  On Board

They are eager to know their neighbors and get involved in their communities. And they enjoy easy access to the amenities of nearby metropolises while remaining sheltered from the crime, poverty and chaos of city living.

In fact, these are traits shared by all 10 of the priciest towns in our Best Places database. To be included in CNN/Money's Best Places database a town or community must have a population of at least 14,000 and it must be no less than 10 percent below average in various criteria including average home value and population growth. All cities with populations above 200,000 are also included in the database.

Seattle-ites often refer to Mercer Island, Wash. as "The Rock." This town of about 22,000 sits on an island in the middle of Lake Washington with Seattle on one side and Bellevue on the other. The city seems a world away, yet the commute over a floating bridge to downtown Seattle takes less than 15 minutes.

"You feel separated from the bad stuff, the hustle and bustle, but if you need a good restaurant, it's close," said Leasa Mayer, who lives on Mercer Island with her husband, Brian, and her children, Danno and Callie.

Microsoft, which is just a short ride east, employs many of the residents of Mercer Island, according to Mayer. She makes a living as the owner of an event planning company and her husband is a dentist.

In fact, one of the driving forces behind home prices in all 10 of these pricey communities is their proximity to cities. Residents can take advantage of the cities' career opportunities, shopping and entertainment or take refuge in their spacious homes and relatively isolated surroundings.

With small populations and neighbors who are eager to get involved, these towns, say residents, have an extremely strong sense of community.

Despite its predominantly white-collar population, including many Wall Street executives, the fire department in Darien, Conn., for example, is run entirely by volunteers. "There's a great esprit de corps among those who serve," said Judy Tibbetts, a realtor and longtime resident of the town. "When the fire whistle blows you can hear it throughout the town."

"We have a very active newcomers' association," said Chris Simmers, who is also a realtor in Darien. "There are dozens of gourmet groups."

Soccer games, school events, YMCA activities, philanthropic organizations and town meetings also attract a large following.

Drive through many of these affluent communities and you'll notice thriving downtowns dominated by local boutiques. You might have a hard time finding a fast-food restaurant or national chain because their signs are kept small in keeping with local aesthetics.

This quaint feel is no accident. Strict town ordinances help preserve the village atmosphere that is both funded by and partly responsible for high real estate prices.

Take Lake Forest, Ill. This town of 20,000, including Fortune 500 executives and professional sports stars, is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. It's known for its historic Market Square, gas-lit streets, pristine beach and wooded estates.

Yet residents and local businesses are subject to strict city ordinances regarding everything from tree preservation and garage size to the type and placement of exterior light fixtures. "We really value historic preservation and open space, it adds to the community and the value of the property around it," said Rosemary Haack, public information officer for the city of Lake Forest.

Westport, Conn. (Photo: Bill Beyea)

Without a doubt, stellar public schools are one of the major attractions of these communities. With property values as high as they are, schools can afford to recruit the best teachers, buy the newest books and support a long list of extracurricular activities.

Residents of these towns say they're willing to pay more for a home if it means giving their children a great public education. Sure they might get more house for their money in another community, but that might mean having pay to send their kids to private school.

Jeanne Lukas, 63, lived in Wellesley for 25 years with her husband and children, but the couple moved to a neighboring town about 10 years ago when they sold their house, a 12-room ranch, to buy something smaller. "Wellesley doesn't have a lot of apartments, and condos start at $300,000," she said.

The Lukas' house, which she sold for $350,000 a decade ago, has since been knocked down to make way for a larger house. "Now there's a $2.9 million house for sale where mine used to be," she said, adding that at one point the average time a house was on the market was 11 hours.

While residents of these communities do seem to have the best of all worlds, the very things that make their towns great might also been seen as their weaknesses.

"We always use to laugh at people who grew up there [Mercer Island] because they are really sheltered often times," said one former Seattle resident. "You really don't need to leave the island if you don't want."

Natalia Celli, 26, says that among the perks of growing up in Wellesley was its great public education and strong sense of community. One drawback, however, was its lack of diversity. "When our family moved here we were literally one of two families from South America." said Celli, who recently earned a master's degree in business at Boston College but is currently working as a personal trainer in Wellesley.

Today, the town seems more diverse. "I have a brother in the high school who will graduate with classmates from Germany, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Chile, China, South Africa, Japan and Peru, so who knows what the typical Wellesley family will look like in five to ten years," she said.