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Best Places to Live 2006
What do you think of this year's Best Places to Live list? Which are your favorite cities? What makes them great American towns? Would you consider moving to one of them? What do you think is most important when considering where to live -- real estate prices, school systems, taxes, job opportunities, lack of stress? Tell us what you think. The best replies will be published here, and possibly in a future story on CNNMoney.com.
Tell us what you think of this year's Best Places to Live list.
What's most important when considering where to live?
Which are your favorite cities? The best replies will be published here.
your list is very impressive but when I looked at it I thought one might be missing. State College,PA is probably the cleanest place to live I have ever seen. Its got a wonderful view, is a college town, alot of job opportunities. etc. I just thought you were missing one.
Your ommision of Corpus Christi TX is quite amusing. But then again it is appreciated. The longer our city can remain an un-discovered secret, the more we like it.
Why is it that whenever there is a survey such as this that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan never gets a mention. It is beautiful up here, Marquette and Munising are lovely little towns and the people of the UP are just incredible.
Thanks. Having moved from Naperville Il to greater Cincinnati OH a year and a half ago I can say that the Cincinnati suburbs have it all over Naperville. Less traffic, better roads and no tollways, beautiful scenery, cleaner, more culture, more and better resturants, shorter commutes with jobs in closer proximity to homes, better home values, larger home lots, closer to downtown, and better weather are a few of the advantages that Anderson township, Maderia, Union township etc. have over Naperville.
Next Year please take a look at Geneva, Illinois. Geneva is about 10-15 miles west of Naperville, IL. It is a smaller community located on the Fox River. It is a quaint beautiful town with excellent schools, shopping, and restaurants. It is a suburb of Chicago with the feel of a small town. The crime rate is extremely low and the level of community involvement is high. It is a wonderful place to raise a family.
Where is Montana??? I have lived here for over 60 years and would not move to anywhere....even Naperville where my daughter lives!!
I have lived in Ft Collins my whole life and I'm so proud that it has been recognized for what it's worth. I've never come across another city like my own and I always thought I was biased. I'm so honored to live here! Thank you for the recognation!
Another place you want to check out for next years list is Ludington, Michigan. Lake Michigan Shoreline, beautiful town, beautiful people and growing steadily.
I go to CSU and absolutely love Fort Collins. I grew up in a small mountain in Colorado, and Fort Collins has that same feel, but with everything you need. I love it. I do plan on making it my home once I am done with school.
Long Beach, NY is a great place to live. We've got the Atlantic, all types of housing, a diverse community, and a commute to Manhattan of under an hour. All homes here are walking distance to the ocean, and we have a beautiful white beach and a 2.2 mile boardwalk where folks can walk, run, bicycle, attend concerts or just sit and enjoy the view. We're cooler in the summer and walmer in the winter than other localities by up to 10 degrees, and we have a wealth of leisure activities for all ages. Great restaurants and popular night spots attract people from all over the area. In short, Long Beach has much to offer, and if you love the ocean, there couldn't be a better place to live.
I noticed Monterey, CA wasn't even in your top 90, but it's the best placed I've EVER lived (and I was born in Longmont, CO) but I guess it didn't make your list because it's an expensive place to live. What a shame (as I look at my Pacific Ocean view).....'cause you ask anyone who knows this place....it's paradise!
Fort Collins is finally receiving the attention it deserves. We'll be moving back to Fort Collins in the next couple of years. It is a fabulous place--beautiful, moderate climate, lots of sunshine and fresh air, and an open rural, yet culturally satisfying environment. It's also reasonably convenient to Denver International airport and all the additional activities and attractions in Denver, Boulder, and Rocky Mountain National Park. There's a beautiful new events center just outside of town that is attracting great concerts and sporting events. A new state-of-the art medical center is nearly completed. Recreation possibilities are endless. It's family friendly and open to newcomers. Career choices have taken us to other states for a few years now, but we will be returning to Ft. Collins as soon as possible! (Real estate is still affordable there--great upside potential in the market!)
Sugar Land, Texas is a great place to live and work. The schools are outstanding, the parks and recreation areas are excellent, and the shopping and restaurants are fabulous. Housing is reasonable and the properties are beautifully maintained. And, the state is expanding the freeways into the city, so the commutes are quick and easy. We love it.
I have lived in many places over the years, and I must say that Sparks, Nevada embodies everything any family could desire. The Money poll did not do justice to our fine town. The Money poll failed to mention our downtown events - practically one every summer weekend - the Rib Cook off, Hot August Nights events, Balloon Races, Street Vibrations, Farmer's Market, Fourth of July celebrations, events at the Sparks Marina. While some of these may be listed as Reno, Nevada events, Sparks has concurrent celebrations that provide great family outings. There is an abundance of sunshine, great family neighborhoods, friendly stores and even motorists who wave and graciously give access for turns and right-of-way! Our high schools enjoy broad community support for events such as football, marching band, and theater presentations. And the weather - you can't beat the weather anywhere; lively springs, just right summers, colorful falls, and just the right amount of snow in winter.
How Grosse Pointe, MI doesn't even make the top 50 I do not understand...great schools and parks, phenomenal architecture, no crime, right on Lake St. Clair, and affordable (compared to other upscale Detroit suburbs). The best kept secret in Michigan.
I live in Fairfield, CT and, although I enjoy it, this city does not belong in the top 10. I grew up in Newton, Ma and can honestly say that it is a far superior city. There is so much more to do, it has a great public school system, and it's a very safe place to live.
Very enjoyable list though, looks like I might have to check out Fort Collins. Also, I have traveled to almost every major city in the U.S. and Austin, TX and San Diego, CA are the two most enjoyable places I have ever been. You should check out Bel Air,MD it's a great place to live and is located right next to the chesapeake bay.
Naperville is GREATLY overrated. It was a nice town 20 years ago, but is now just another mega-suburb of Chicago with high home prices.
I was surprised that Chattanooga, Tennessee didn't make it. We've got a great down town, low cost of living and outdoor amenities that rival anywhere else in the country.
I can't beleive Charleston, West Virginia, with its mountains, tourism, and low cost of living didn't make the list. A city with a great cost of living, low cost of doing business, great culture, a wonderful river, and great fairs and fastivals, Charleston WV should be on this list.
I can't believe that California only had three cities in the top 50. Obviously, you did not take climate and beauty into consideration.
You obviously can't find your way to the west side of michigan. Grand Haven MI made the top 10 beachs of america. We have the best schools in the state. We consitantly run far above state averages on the MEAp. As far as math and science goes our Science Olympians have gone to Nationals where they consitantly place in the Top 3 the last 15 years in a row. I see alot of cities on the east side but I invite your researchers to come to the West!! I am sure you will agree we do have one of the best cities in America if not the world. My husband has lived all over and he always is saying that GH is the best place to raise children and to live our retirement.
I went to visit Gilbert, AZ to decide if I wanted to purchase a home there about 3 weeks ago. No wonder it made the top 20, the city is absolutely amazing. I have decided to buy there and become part of this fantastic growing community.
Cary, NC is a great place to live--if you like big SUV's, McMansions, and new sprawling shopping centers that all look the same.
First, a number of these communities simply don't belong on a small town/city list. I lived in Gilbert, AZ and I loved it but it is a part of the Phoenix metro area and shouldn't be considered much else. That is true of a number of the communities listed.
As for small towns to consider, there are loads in the middle of the country, places like Northwest Arkansas, Springfield, IL, the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa, Cedar Rapids, etc. Also, one of my favorite towns is Hershey, PA. Thanks for keeping Huntsville, Alabama a secret. Most who come here from all parts of the country like it and stay or come back if they have to leave. Small is great and we have it all.
Heh. Glad you missed - apparently didn't even look at - Durango, Colorado. There is no Front Range city that comes close to matching the quality of life here!
Livermore, right. Hot, hot, hot, as in over 100 degrees today. Traffic on the 580 (the major freeway in or out) is a nightmare and will only get worse as the central valley towns continue to grow. Do your homework Money.
Overland Park is a quaint little community nestled on the fringes of Kansas City. It is a nice place with terrific amenities such as great restaurants, theaters (both movie and live), many concert venues, and majestic art museums to name but a few. The only thing standing between OP and world renowned greatness is the fact that it is in Kansas (which carries with it a certain social stigma associated with flat prairies, tornados and little girl with a dog that fights with witches and flying monkeys). It is one of the U.S.'s best kept secrets... shhhh! Don't tell anyone how great this place is. They might be tempted to move here.
Naperville, IL is stunning. High Quality of life. They missed talking about BEST Libraries our city has to offer. Other advantage is train infrastructure that connects to Chicago in 30 minutes.
Sugar Land, Texas?! If these were indeed the best cities to live in then we would all be living there. This is primarily a list of the Blandest Places in the Country. The best places to live are the ones that continually attract and retain residents, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pasadena, Boston and Cambridge. Still, it is nice to see how happy all these boosters posting comments here are with their own little suburban Edens.
I first arrived in Fort Collins in 1981 and am leaving this year / 2006. If you appreciate traffic, sprawl, anal neighbors, congestion, depressed air quality (ozone, haze, pollution ), and commuting > 50 miles to Denver ( i.e., to make a decent wage ), Fort Collins is calling your name. Home prices have fallen atleast 10 - 15% over the last few years given the export of local IT jobs overseas. Escaping to the mountains on weekends has become "take a number" given the line of traffic heading up SR14 and I-70. Natives and semi-natives are moving out to Wyoming and Montana and elsewhere to escape the californication of Colorado. Open space is rapidly being swallowed up by commercial interest(s). What was once "Colorful Colorado" is now "Crowded Colorado". "When you call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye - The Eagles".
Henderson, NV? I have been there, and not much to see, except the Vegas skyline. What about Santa Barbara or San luis Obispo? Both great California Cities with great weather & little crime. Weak List.
i think that Bloomington, indiana, not even in your top90 is crazy and should deffintly be added
When you rated the cities, you forgot to factor in something that makes a big difference in quality of life: weather. I live in Carlsbad, CA, which did not make your top 100 list. I previously have lived in Eden Prairie, MN and near Fargo, ND - both on your top 100. I will trade glorious sunny days and proximity to the ocean for all the restaurants, movie theatres, and cheap housing that supposedly gives "quality of life". Fargo, ND can resemble Siberia for 8 months out of the year. Eden Prairie, MN has weather that is only slightly better. Quality of life means not having to get up at 5 a.m. to blow 2 feet of snow out of the driveway so you can get to work on time.
Pembroke Pines and Mirimar Florida both in the top 100? you're kidding, right?
We just moved the family from this area within the past two months to Texas. Home insurance is going up as much as 80% due to the hurricanes. Taxes are on the rise, as well. Traffic is higher than it should be for an area such as this to be considered top 100, as well. Median home price of $260k? maybe three years ago. Home prices in this area are so out of control that cities are looking for ways to subsidize the cost of a home for teachers. I am glad you have totally neglected New England. Were the truth to get out about places such as St. Johnsbury, Vermont or Hanover, New Hampshire, our idyllic communities would likely lose their lustre and wonder.
Folsom, Ca DOES have a beautiful new Community College, Folsom Lake College
I noticed there was only ONE town in the state of Indiana on this list.
Indiana has some of the smallest, cleanest,friendliest, non crime neighborhoods...! My town has 1 stop light, no congestion, plenty of little shops and such and vertually NO crime record at all! Come on now! I think you need to research EVERY town and city in EVERY state before coming to these conclusions! I mean places on your list with populations in the 900,000 mark SURELY with NO DOUBT have CRIME!!!Hmmmf! I am from Colorado Springs, and now I go to school at Colorado State in Ft. Collins, Colorado! I must commend you on your excellent choices as you hit the nail on the head with this one!
Thank you for not putting Austin, TX high on the list. The housing prices here have gone out of sight and the only people moving here are from California. We don't need anymore Starbucks,k?
It never fails, survey after survey. Are there any folks that compile these surveys from the "Inland Empire" - Eastern Washington? Spokane is almost never mentioned - good or bad on these lists. Maybe it's a good thing it's not. That way the city/metro area can continue to be a quiet, clean, safe place to grow up/live/work.
Where is Lexington, KY?? Easily top 10 in low crime, schools, medical services, weather, etc.
why is it whenever these surveys come up Hawaii isn't included as a state? what is the criteria for the best place to live? Hawaii should be among the top because it is relatively safe to live, you can drink water straight from the tap that is sweet and refreshing with no chlorine taste, weathers always good, people are nice, convenient transportation and convenient shopping, all the good stuff is there already, so why isn't it in here?
Have you looked at Grandview Ohio? We are a community located very near downtown Columbus. (Commuting is a breeze.) Great schools, trendy shops and cafes, and wonderful older homes. This is a very real community filled with good old fashioned pride, and a whole bunch of school spirit. We have lovely older homes here and plenty of parks and green space. A small village in the city where neighbors care about each other. Come see us before you post your next Best Places survey!
I live in Fort Collins and love it. I have lived in many places in the US but nothing compares to the weather, (300 days of sunshine) the people, year round golf and cheap houses. We bought our 4 bedroom 4 bath with 3 car garage last year for only 258000 and the house is only 9 years old at the end of a cul-de-sac. I guess now that this story hit NBC and CNN, prices are going up.
Why aren't 'people' considered in the list? I've lived near one or two places on the list and the people in those places were so unfriendly. How can a place be great to live in if the people aren't nice?
I find it amazing that Annapolis, MD (a quaint historic town on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay) wasn't even in the running. Ellicot City (one of the finalists) can't hold a candle to Annapolis and Rockville is just one long shopping mall!
I lived just outside of Raleigh and Cary for 25 years, a large portion of my youth. It is beautiful and full of good schools, affordable real estate, and virtually stress free. However, I think it should be noted that it is mainly such for people with families or on the brink of starting up a family. Also, it's somewhat unfortunate (while fortunate at the same time) that these two cities keep making the poll, it's growing some of the charm right out of the cities. In the past 20 yrs. it has become a virtual hotbed of relocated persons from the northeast.
They might be the best places to live, but boring as all get out.
I agree with the comment about the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I lived there for 6 years, and currently live in Canton, MI. I would go back to Marquette in a heartbeat if there was work.
Did weather ever cross your minds. How could anyone prefer to live in any place that freezes? Humidity makes life horrible too. Having lived in Naperville the #2 city, it just can't compare with about 50 cities in Southern California.
I don't know who told you that Mt. Pleasant, SC has a commute time of 19 minutes, but they were either lying, or measuring it at 3 a.m. Between 7 and 10 am and 3 and 6 pm, it takes at LEAST 45 minutes to get anywhere.
Ft C was a better place to live 40 years ago before all the traffic and concept restaurants moved in. I am not sure how all this data is accumulated but as someone who drove 150 miles round trip to work everyday for 6 years I know more people commute to Denver or elsewhere to work than what is claimed here. I-25 is packed at 5AM every day and it doesn't let up until around 9AM.
Over the last few years we have seen some of our biggest employers move out and others lay-off many more people. Finally you have stated nothing about the local foreclosure rate which is well above the national average. The most overlooked city in America is Indianapolis. Having lived in Japan, Germany, California, Utah and New Hampshire, Hoosiers aren't missing anything with what they have: Eli Lilly, Cummins, Wellpoint, Toyota, GM, Chrysler, Honda, etc. employers, low, low expenses, great road system around Indy, America's best sports on college and pro-levels. Did I mention all the monuments and arts around downtown? Indy is also probably the cleanest big city in the world.
P.S. This survey validates my lack of confidence in surveys because they are so far off! I've lived in 3 of the top 25. They all deserve to be there!
Chicago is always looked at as just a big, dirty city with lots of crime. Well, come visit, and you'll see why us Chicagoans would never move!! :)
Fishers, IN. no. 33 The population must be way off because the residents of Fishers are packed so close together that they can barely breath. I'm sure its well over 100,000 at least thats the way it seems if you try to get there during rush hour.
I find it VERY disappointing that this list is composed of many cities and/or states that are listed as the best places to live yet are hit yearly by power outages, tornadoes or wild fires. This list eliminates Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh entirely for all but ONE listing. PA is a BEAUTIFUL state as well is the city of Pittsburgh for living. Nor do we ever have any of the listed natural disasters. Thank You!
come on down to Palm Springs, California.. It's 115 today and we only have another month and a half of this heat. You stay inside and your a/c
bill can be up to 300 a month. It's so hot you melt when you go outside and can only stay in a pool for a little amount of time. The other 6 months its beautiful here. Not true about Cary, NC. Single family homes start at 400,000.00;Unless you want to live in a 1300 sq. foot shack. Taxes are going up (start at $2,000.00 py) because this area is kept as one of the best places to live. Take it off your list before it get ruined anymore by developers who clearcut and build houses 10 feet apart from each other.
I think trying to rank cities is a lot like trying to herd cats. You can't do it effectively. There are justs too many variables. The variables I consider are cost of living, crime rates, and the friendliness of the people living in the area. That is why I live where I do.
I recently moved from central New Jersey to Atlanta metro (Alpharetta)GA, and I find it VERY hard to believe that (5) cities from NJ made it and (0)from GA??!!!
Too many of these cities on the list are auto-centric sprawling suburban cities that you must have a car to get around to anything. What will happen to these cities if gas prices reach $6/gallon? Or a large percentage of the baby boomer generation is unable to drive? They will be forced to stay in their little retirement communities, totally dependent on others for everything. It is time to get over the fascination of sprawling suburbs with huge cookie-cutter homes, large yards, massive roads, and massive congestion problems. We need to start building and promoting denser, walkable neighborhoods, otherwise there will be no scenic, undeveloped land left in this beautiful country.
WOW, I saw Naperville, Boca Raton and Coral Springs, lol. I would hate to live any of those places...what about Mendacino, Ashville or Portland??
The congestion around Naperville and the 1 and 1/2 hour commute to drive to Chicago should put this city at the bottom of your list.
We moved here 18 mos. ago, and I will first say I'm prejudiced as the CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Lived in Denver and in Co Springs in the 80's, so thought this would be a similar experience.
This has far, far exceeded my expectations. We have lived in 6 cities in 4 states and by far this is the best place ever. My wife loves it, as do the kids. Not crowded, beautiful, great climate, and one of the coolest downtowns you'll ever visit. The outdoor feel combined with the chic of a college town and the education level of a high tech area all thrown into one place. Your free time is tough. You have to decide between hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, fly fishing, rock climbing, rafting and kayaking, walking the dogs in fabulous parks, hanging out in Old Town, going to theater, touring the breweries, strolling the galleries... Life doesn't get much better than this. What about Fond du lac, Wisconsin? We are from Milwaukee and we astonished at how safe, cheap housing, safe (and I mean nobody locks their doors--bothcars/homes!) affordability and talk about a short commute? It takes literally 1o minutes to et from one end of the city to the end...and Fond du Lac is one of the most BEAUTIFUL cities we've ever seen! The schools are also great and we also have so many (too many to count---per capita) resources/organizations for helping the poor, etc. We LOVE living here! People treat each other like neighbors!
You'd better like the "great indoors" too in Fort Collins. If you don't ski or like to build igloos there isn't much else going on from November to March.
Murfeesboro was the only TN city to make the top 100 list. I, being a TN native, can certainly refute and reject that idea. Nashville and Chattanooga both far surpass any positive that Murfeesboro has to offer its citizens. Terrible, terrible list if I must say so myself.
fort collins is a boring town. how'd you come up with that ? thanks.
These are all suburbs! The only reason that they are somewhat decent is because they are close to interesting places like Austin, etc. Sugar Land is going to have a field day with this. It doesn't need any more ego.
I'm very glad you overlooked Pittsburgh....saves us from turning into an Atlanta...one awful urban sprawl...please continue to overlook us...keeps our city clean, beautiful, unique(not full of strip malls and chains)and also low volumes of traffic!
Wow. Fort Collins #1. Being born and raised in Colorado, and residing in Denver, I'd have to say it must have come a long way since my college years. But I assume this is mostly based on where some people think it's best to raise a family.
nice list, but not even close to what I would think and I've been in mnay of those places.
I was really happy to see Austin on the list of best big cities. I want to move there after graduating college because it's a "young" city with lots of tech jobs, but still has low real estate prices. Here in Silicon Valley, senior engineers with families live in small apartments because house prices are so astronomical. In Austin, I could raise my future kids in a nice house like the one I grew up in.
Columbia/Ellicott? This isn't even in the top ten for the DC area...very amusing indeed.
I was interested to see the list...to see if I wanted to move to one of these places. But when I saw Sugarland,TX as #3, I knew the list was worthless. I live in the "Houston area" and anywhere within 100 miles of Houston is a crappy place to live. The quality of life in this area is the worse I've seen.
We live in Cheyenne, WY and love visiting, shopping and just hanging out in Ft. Collins. You just feel more alive there. It is absolutely beautiful and vibrant. So many things to do and see. It's fabulous. I'm kind of sorry it's voted #1 as I've always felt it was this area's best kept secret. But now, everyone will know what we know. Fabulous, fun, safe, beautiful place to live!!!
I live about 45 miles south of Fayetteville, Ark. and find that it is not only better, but cheaper. Try again and put the Fort Smith area (Van Buren) into the mix......
Where did you get these banaas from...have they ever been upstate NY? Right under their noses,Glens Falls/Queensbury,probably the fastest growing per capita area on the east coast has the lowest crime, low taxes,breathtaking beauty at the foot of (Lake George,greatest lake in America)the Adirondacks. Ask them why everybody from 2 countries converge here.Please hire me at a reasonably cheap price(a lot lower than you paid for this garbage report)to assess these whizbangs that came up with to report this....I mean Edison?Wayne?Middletown?Ramapo? What were these people thinking of????
My son lives in Scottsdale while attending school. Whoever the moron was that said this is a great place to live must make well over 100K a year! It's rediculously hot and too expensive. My son can't wait to get out of ther!
Great article and was surprised to see a place like Napierville, IL on the list(lived in the area). If you included the property taxes in your survey, probably a third would not be ranked in the top.
I can not believe that not one city in Georgia was named.
So happy to hear that our old town Eden Prairie, MN is on the list! It was wonderful place and a great place to raise a family. Although we love where we are living now on the east coast, we have fond memories of our old stomping grounds. Great choice Money Magazine!
Where is Vienna, Va? Last year it was #4 and this year it's not even a finalist. It's a great place!
Your list of the 10 best big cities is biased against the older cities of this nation (except for New York). For instance, my hometown of Cleveland outshines any of the cities on your list (except for New York). Cleveland has the third finest medical center in the country; one of the "Big Five" symphony orchestras; one of the ten best museums of art; a main public library building second in size only to New York's; a performing arts center second in size only to Washington's Kennedy Center; the beautiful "Emerald Necklace" Metroparks System; the beautiful Lake Erie shoreline; and some of the finest (and affordable) housing stock in suburban areas that you will find anywhere. Plus, I didn't even mention Jacobs Field and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
The fact that Warren, Michigan is #82 on your list makes it completely null and void. That city is a dump. I lived in the area near Warren almost my entire life and couldn't wait to leave. I live in beautiful Yorktown, Virginia now which deserves to be on the list much more than Warren. Also, the fact that you left out Michigan's Upper Peninsula is questionable too. Whomever put this list together needs to do a better job next time.
Thank goodness. My favorites didn't make your list.
It's great to live in one of the top 100.
Median home price $405,000 $256,659 for Bellevue washington? ok apparently no one has spent time there, that is off by atleast 300,000.
Out of curiosity, a lot of people love San Francisco, but its not on the list. Any particular reason?
The ommission of Chico, California one of the amazing jewels of the US is glaring. The only negative I see is the jump in housing prices the last five years. Chico has so much culture and so many local natural opportunities not to mention a great downtown and a highly diverse population for norcal. Chico is just an amazing place.
I'm sorry but you seem to have left out a state that I'm quite sure would rank high on your lists of cleanest air,high incomes,coldest,and most definately one of the most beautiful states with all kinds of out door activities year round. The state in which I speak of is Alaska, I don't see it on any of your best of lists, why is that? Please don't tell me that you didn't know it was part of the United States of America {as it seems a lot of people don't know this} Or is it that because Canada seperates it from the rest of the states that it does'nt qualify to be in such a "Best of" survey? You can't tell me that Alaska does'nt have the qualities your survey lists. Maybe I would be more inclined to believe this survey to be accurate if next year you include all 52 states and thier cities in your survey
Fort Collins' No. 1 ranking is justified. Both my daughter and her husband teach at Colorado State University and enjoy all the city's amenities attributed to a healthy, active family lifestyle. I also agree with Scottsdale's No. 7 ranking since it is my residence of choice after assessing many other locations for a warm climate,very active semi-retirement.
You may wish to evaluate Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for your next list. National Geographic ranks Lake Coeur d'Alene as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world and its lifestyle and amenities should more than qualify for future consideration. Millie Thomson Scottsdale, AZ I was quite surprised to see that only one city in North Carolina was posted. Although I now live in Maryland, I was born and raised in North Carolina and have also traveled to many other cities and states and have yet to find a state or city as friendly, beautiful or clean as North Carolina. Just a thought...
What? Not one in Louisiana? Shocking!
I grew up in Columbia in the '80s. A lot has changed since then. There a lot more strip malls and the spirit of rich, poor, black, white, etc.. living side by side seems to have been tested a bit. Still, it was a wonderful place to grow up.
How about the 100 most interesting places to live, since many of these best places are BORING?
Your list seems quite interesting. There are a couple of cities that boggle my mind. One in particular is Aurora. How can Aurora IL be on that list? There are far better cities in the outskirts of Chicago especially the Northern suburbs. Where's Lake Forest, Northbrook, Wilmette, Evanston, Skokie, St. Charles? I gurantee you that any one of those towns are better than Aurora
Your telling me that with 90 cities and only 50 states... That Delaware couldnt even field one city... Time for me to call my Realtor!!!
Mission Viejo, CA one of the safest cities in California
I would take Bozeman, MT. over almost every place listed on your BEST PLACES TO LIVE.
I cannot believe that Delaware isnt mentioned. We have some great schools (Lake Forest) and some wonderful beaches ( Rehoboth). There is a housing boom ( Lower DE.) and a very low crime rate.
Even better we are 3 hours from anything you might want to do (3 hours to NYC, 1 to Washington DC, 1.5 to Phildelphia 2.5 to Virginia Beach) and still be able to come home to country quiet. What a shame everyone is missing this gem. Not a place in Montana? What are your priorities? I can live anywhere and I have chosen the best state in the USA.
we have been in Corpus Christi, TX for 4 years now and absolutly love it - you have some great TX cities in the mix - but add the beach and palm trees and it's over the top - next time look at the Guld Coast area - you wont be dissapointed.
I grew up in Loveland and was in high school in the 1990s. Fort Collins was the cool place to hang out and cruise the downtown area. It's a great place to live or visit!
I completely agree with Fairfield, CT being in the top ten, but where are these stats coming from? average commuting time of 22 minutes. That is only accurate if they're just desscribing the average time to get THROUGH Fairfield on the Turnpike or Parkway.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, and I'm still suprised to learn that suburbs of the city end up at the top of these kinds of lists. Plano, Richardson and Carrollton, all in the top 25, are not horrible places to live, but I can't see how they are the best either, because they are so far away from the main city and lack decent public transportation systems. Many people call Plano "The Bubble" b/c it's like a protected little suburb that you don't have to leave to do anything. All three areas are very boring and sterile.
It's really easy to find nice communities when all the median home values are over $300,000. Why not find some cuter places that are actually affordable for the typical american family that isn't swimming in debt?
Thank you for leaving Maumelle, Ar off your list. It is the best kept secret in Arkansas!!
Why aren't there any places listed on the top places from the other places in Va..ie Charlottesville and the middle peninsula of Va ie Gloucester and Williamsburg area?
The data on the individual cities is useful, but to try to roll it up and conclude what is "best" is silly. The same person who would want to live in Ft. Collins is not going to consider Naperville or Sugerland good 2nd and 3rd choices. If you like skiing and kayaking you'll love Ft. Collins and would go insane in Sugerland TX.
Greenville,SC has to be in there somewhere
Rockville, MD, Reston, VA, and other suburbs surrounding larger cities might be nice places to raise kids but they are the most ugly, dull parts of our country. Rockville is nothing but a string of strip malls.
I lived in Sugar Land. Parts of it are really nice... some parts are pretty dumpy. I'm suprised it ranted so high.
Where is Ashburn, Virginia?
The best city in Pennsylvania is Bethlehem, an old, run down steel town. It's a suburb of Philadelphia, yet no other Philadelphia suburb made it? Now that's odd.
I grew up in Ft. Collins and still have family there to visit. It's a great place to be any time of year!
Amazing. Not one in Georgia. I think Fort Valley, Georgia is the best place to raise a family if you want your children to have a truly rounded education. Demographics are mixed and the school system is getting better each year.
Nice to see Scottsdale, AZ in the top 10 (as it deserves to be). We've been here for 5 years
(from the MD/N-VA area). We traded snow shovels, rain, snow, humidity for 300 days of sunshine. Yes, we roast like a chicken for 3-4 months, and you have to change your routine. But for 8 months, temps raning between 65-85 is awesome. We have a low crime rate, awesome shopping, affordable housing (compared to many east coast areas), and there aren't enough days to visit all the restaurants. Commuting on average for most folks is under an hour. Many folks spend less than 30 minutes on the road commuting. Arizona has everything. Ya like to ski? Head north for 90 minutes. Beaches aren't around the corner, but there are many lakes and most folks have a pool or access to one. Way to go, Delaware. You fail to place on the list at all, and none of your residents even bother to blog any surprise.
Must be a great place to live. Does anyone know where Addison Texas is? It's a wonderful towne in the middle of Dallas, Texas.
I am from WI originally... I can't fathom why any of the places where you freeze your tail off for half the year made the list.
I can't figure out why so few in NC made the list. It is nice here and the climate is reasonable. Come on places like Eden Praire, Naperville, Scottsdale and Sugarland to name a few are just suburbs of large metropolitan areas. To single them out over the entire metro area is a joke.
By coming up with a single list of what is "best" you are essentially saying that all people want the same things. I think that it would be better to have a few categories so that people could choose one that they indentify with. For example, the top 3 cities on your list are going to appeal to completely different groups of people. I've been to all 3, for example, and would live in Ft. Collins but not even consider Naperville or Sugerland. Why? Because I like to ski, kayak, paraglide, and do other activities that require mountains.
So you might want to think about some categories like: "urbanites" (music, restaurants, hip coffee hangouts, etc. get extra weighting)" "outdoor mountain sport lovers" "suburban families" "retired" (want to be close to a hospital, quiet, safe, ...) and so on. Each category would have criteria that it must meet (like having mountains nearby) and then the other criteria would be weighted differently for each category. I moved from central New Jersey to Columbia, MO and I find it VERY hard to believe that (5) cities from NJ made it and rank higher than Columbia(#76). We have so much better quality of life and the entire family loves this place.
Do any of these top ten cities have much racial and economic diversity? At first glance they all look like pretty white and affluent communities?
We moved to Plano, TX 6 years ago and the only thing hot about it is the weather. Air quality is horrible. If you dont have alergies when you relocate here, you will once you leave...lol Excellent schools though......
I've lived in Overland Park, KS for about 40 years. What a great area. I've traveled lots and always am glad to come home. Kansas City area is a great area. Very friendly people who are always willing to help someone in need of a smile.
I'm in San Fran. Drove my car twice last month. Prices? How is that figured?
Lived in Larimer County until the dot.com bust. I do believe it is the Best Place to Live. Just bring your own job, 'cause you can't eat the mountain views.
FC is great. Excellent fishing in northern colo. Horsetooth Reservoir is 10 minutes up the road with great camping, skiing, and fishing. (http://www.fishexplorer.com/fx/lakedet.asp?lid=2123) Outlying towns are booming. Downtown Old Town is special!
I was rather shocked not to see Montana on your list but now understand why.... you are helping to keep it still the "last best place". I would not give up the Majestic Rocky Mountains for anything. There is nothing better. Life is good here in Montana!!
A lot of you seem to not realize that the criteria for making this list is for the place to first have more than 49k people. Some of these little towns all you are proposing, they might be good but are too small.
As for Fairfield at #9... culture and low crime might be why the extraordinary cost of living and traffic nightmares are ignored. Also, it's funny seeing them so high when right next to it is Bridgeport, one of the worst in New England. I'm actually more amused by the blatant "homering" of the bloggers here. Yes, yes, everyone loves where they live and yes yes YOUR city is amazing and overlooked. Hey, you like it, you live there.
Different people like different things. I personally don't care about a good barbeque but to each their own. For example the list contains Bellevue, Washington. As a Seattle resident, and one who also lived in Bloomington, Orlando, and Baltimore, I don't care for the "lifestyle" in Bellevue (read: materialistic) even if it comes with good schools and lower crime. Folks, this list and 95% of the comments here are just plain silly:
First, the grass is always greener where YOU live, no matter what the stats and percentages and crime data are. Comparing cities/towns is like comparing peoples' tastes in automobiles and fruit. Leave it to humans to compete for who lives in the "Best Place". Good grief... Second, substantiating my digs in point #1, if I remember correctly, ALL of the California cities cited in the top 50 are inland, waaaaaay off the coast, in smog-ridden, barren, San Bernardino/Fresno-style places: Simi Valley, Santa Clarita. Haahaa. You may as well have included Palmdale and Norco. And by the way, I am not surprised, dismayed or concerned that my little town was not included. But it's a great town... just like yours ;) No best places to live in Vermont? Do your writers even know where Vermont is?
I grew up in Sugar Land and believe it is a great place for a family while still being close to a HUGE metroplitan city with art, culture, food etc
I just moved from Naperville, IL back out west to Lake Tahoe. Yeah, Naperville is nice, but ONLY if you live downtown where homes are 1 million. The rest of the town is way overcrowded with horible traffic! Of course you have to deal with the Humidity in the Summer and the freezing Winters as well. How can this place beat out Most cities on the west coast? If you enjoy doing things outdoors, this is not the best place to live.
In all fairness, the people in Naperville were the nicest I have ever met. I would like to see your survey take the "green" qualities of a city into account next time. Air quality and park space only scratches the surface. What about the quality and extent of the mass transit systems? How do the recycling programs and volunteerism of the various cities stack up? Which of these cities are doing the most to be more ecologically sustainable? Did you know that Portland is working to make their downtown area a "car free" zone? Another, better way to measure the quality of life in a city is by the percentage of it's residents that belong to the "creative class". If artists, authors, architects, professors, etc. want to live there, it's probably a nice place to live.
My husband grew up here and had lways wanted to come back. We have been here 5 years with our daughter and I have to admit I like it here. Our work is 5 miles away and our daughter's school is across the street. Restaurants and stores are within 5 miles or less. Yet we have a greenbelt behind our house. And the mountains are just minutes away for hiking and camping in the summer and skiing in the winter.
It is a remarkable place. Our family moved there in 1955, when the population was still under 10,000 and the major employers within the city were Kroehler Furniture and PAG hybrid seed corn. Everyone else seemed to work for Western Electric (Hawthorne Works in Cicero), Argonne National Laboratory, or various railroads and airlines.
On a visit in 2000, my daughter was really amazed by the amenities and the general prosperity of Naperville. She finally took to calling it "Pleasantville", which its somewhat unreal character does tend to inspire. Where is Kentucky on this list? Most people who live there actually end up staying there, such as myself, and I am an educated professional unlike the stereotypical Kentucky. What more could you want that all four seasons, thoroughbreds, green pastures, and friendly people?
it's about time that cranston and rhode island in general got some recognition. rhode island is an amazing place to live.
Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of the most beautiful places in the country. And a great place to raise children. Marquette is a great city.
Presently live in Eden Prairie after living in many different cities and I love it.
Though I was born in Denver, and have lived other places in Colorado, Fort Collins is my favorite location in the state. People, shopping, and climate are wonderful. It is a clean, attractive city. The view to the west is breathtaking. The new Budweiser Events Center just south of the city features some great entertainment--our family saw the Harlem Globetrotters there this spring. Our son goes to college there now, and it is a pleasure to visit him there.
As a resident of a former "Best Place To Live", Madison, WI, I can tell you that any ranking won't change the reality of your city's situation. Madison IS a great place to live however. There is plenty of great restaurants, athletic opportunities and water recreation possibilities on our four lakes. On the downside, taxes are high and the winter can be long if we don't get enough snow for skiing. All things being equal, the best place to live is where you are happy and where your family and friends are. Go Badgers.
Having lived 30+ years in the Chicago suburbs, 4 years in Boulder, Co., 8 years overseas and now 8 years in the SF. California area, I can't believe Naperville came anywhere near the top. Once you leave the midwest winters and lack of geographic variety you will never go back. California's weather compares with Australia as the most comfortable climate you will find on earth, plus it has mountains, ocean, wine country and it is a melting pot of many different cultures. Yes, it is expensive, but Chicago isn't cheap these day either. I think I will cancel my subscription!!!
Please include the diversity of the culture and eating establishments as a major criteria. If you have extra cash and no where to go, who cares?
it is funny. all of these places are really the same. strip malls, driving on expressways and chain restaurants. america has little culture. if you ask me, new york city should be tops on this list.
I found your list quite interesting. My husband and I are New Englanders who moved to Santa Clarita, Ca. 5 years ago. We loved it. We moved last September to retire to Sugar Land, Tx. We are enjoying our new community and the people are wonderful. We now know what southern hospitality is. We are not going to move any more.
Food for thought for sure ... but under "safest" I figured more than just crime data. I believe locally produced goods and services make a community safer (e.g., less vulnerable to breakdowns in infrastructure, more sustainable ...)
I just moved from Naperville to Ohio six months ago...Naperville will always have a special spot in my heart. In fact, I hope to go back some day. It really is the perfect town. Safe, amazing schools, educated people, lots to do. I miss it!
I've lived in Iowa City, Reston, spent much time in Ft. Collins, and other cities on your list. I've now retired and live in Knoxville, TN, and must laugh at some of the cities you gave high ratings to. Have any of your staff ever been to Knoxville? Maybe it's better kept a secret anyhow :-)
Fort Collins is would be a nice town to raise a family. That said, if you're under-40, sans kids and looking for culture/nightlife, there is no way you'd top your list with it.
I went to school there and liked it. That said, after four years I was chomping at the bit to get out of there. It has recreation, clean air and good schools but wages are skewed towards the tech sector, cost of living is somewhat high and you can't drive anywhere not called Denver without making a weekend out of it. I lived in Ft. Collins from 1995-1997 and I have to say I was completely bored out of my mind. I love the outdoor activities, but the nightlife stinks. Its mostly college students who live there and married folks with kids. Not a good place to live if you are single and looking for lots to do at night. Yes, it is a beautiful city and safe, but jobs are not plentiful. Most people commute 70+ miles each way to Denver to make a decent wage. I got tired of the cold and shoveling snow off my car and traded it in for sunny San Diego.
I graduated from CSU but moved away and spent 15 years in Washington, DC and then returned to take a job in Fort Collins one year ago. It took me awhile, but it's good to be back.
The view of the mountains takes your breath away just about every sunny morning, and the people in Fort Collins are the greatest, housing is reasonably priced and the weather is perfect. I have lived in Boise for 32 years and I would discourage anybody from moving here. All the good things they say are wrong and what they don't say is terrible. Polution,gangs,weather,lifestyle--Ugh.
obviously you have to be a special place to continously make the top 5 of this list. Naperville has great schools, libraries, downtown area, restaurants,culture, etc. Basically a great vibe for any family even one with a budget. Though, keep in mind that townhomes in naperville go for the same as a home twice its size in a adjacent city, but its worth it.
Scottsdale in the top 10? Obviously selected by someone who has never lived in the Phoenix metro area. It has the most vain and superficial people I have ever met - appearance and material goods are everything, substance is nothing. High maintenance self-centered people who have little grasp of reality outside of their own self imposed importance.
The Monterey Peninsula is HEAVEN but as no one city has much of a population it doesn't register in your poll. That's good. Please stay away.
10 or so years ago Seattle was rated in all the surveys as one of the best places to live. No longer.
Ten years of poor government, high taxes, increasingly unaffordable housing, boom/bust job growth and some of the worst traffic and air pollution problems in the nation have left us in the dust. Very sad, paradise lost. Rue the day your community becomes "No. 1". I lived in Naperville for about 10 years when I was growing up. It is a great place to live and its really growing. My sister still lives there and loves it. I don't miss the humid summers and harsh winters. Great place to raise a family!
I just spent 2 weeks this past June in Ft. Collins, and have not stopped thinking, or talking about it! I played golf, hiked in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Front Range hills around Horsetooth Reservoir, and Pudre Canyon. I have always loved the outdoors, but I was blown away by the beauty that was everywhere! Ft Collins was the cleanest town I have ever visited, and had no trouble driving around and locating anything I wanted or needed. I can't wait to go back again next Summer!
Although ranking high on lists such as these, Naperville has also become synonymous with commercialization. The downtown area has fewer and fewer local and non-chain stores as new buildings housing huge chains have drained Naperville of any distinct flavor of its own, bar the Riverwalk.
The school system is for the most part very good. The local high schools have exploded in population, but this also allows for a broader selection of courses to be offered. The housing situation leaves something to be desired for lower income families, however. In many neighborhoods of smaller homes, it is common to find "teardowns" popping up where previously more affordable housing had been. Often selling for prices in excess of $700k, they drive up the property taxes of the smaller houses around them, effectively forcing out the lower middle class. Naperville is a haven for the well-to-do. This homogenous composition is increasingly wealthy, and suggests a class division between the haves and the have-nots. There are many who work in Naperville but cannot afford houses here, sadly. They are paid to mow Napervilles lawns and do jobs the residents don't want to do but not paid enough to get in on the action for themselves, due to a lack of affordable housing. It frankly disgusts me to what an extent money is worshipped here. SUVs, teardowns, and a shopping mall of a downtown hint at the concentration of money and lack of charity this suburb of "haves" doesn't have. Despite having lived here for 11 years I do not want to be associated with such a materialistic, insular and selfish suburb for much longer. Ten of the top 100 are in Texas? You gotta be joking! I have lived on both the West and the East coast and find both MUCH more appealing!
this list is a joke.....not one place in Oregon cracks the top 60? Obviously your listmakers live under rocks!
Whilst I agree with Austin for TX, I'm at a loss for Newton, MA. It is a nice town, but there are hundreds nicer, in my opinion. Amherst, Northhampton, Great Barrington, Maynard, Acton, Westford, Chelmsford, Stow and of course Concord, if you can afford it. That's just a few.
I have lived in Fort Collins a couple of times and did not like it at all. The main complaint is the city engineers. They require all kinds of medians be put in when a retail business builds, making it IMPOSSIBLE to get to the business unless you are going in the right direction. Also, most of the bike paths are just the edge of busy roads...also, have you ever tried to get around on college avenue? You need rubber bumpers on your car because everyone is driving like madmen. I'll even take Cheyenne over that chaos (which I don't care for either)
Raised in Appleton WI and believe that it should be rated high. THe one problem with these best places to live is that they are incredibly boring too. I have spent most of my adult life out of this town and out of the country for that matter because the worst places to live are sometimes the most rewarding.
Would you rather live in Fargo than San Diego? Be my guest!
All the best rated places pretty much also have very high median income. You can live just as well or better or many more places around the country if you have similar income levels. Comparative income is the driving force.
I'm not entirely sure what the methodology is, but I completely discredit this report.
Burlington, Vermont is superior to several small cities on the list. I can say that firsthand, since I've lived in a few. It has 2 major universities and a scattering of smaller institutions. Easy access to Canada, lots of recreation in both summer and winter, 3 hours to Boston, low crime, good environmental conditions, etc. Money doesn't know what they're talking about. We moved to Naperville, IL 7 years ago and I am in total agreement with your choice to name Naperville number 2 on your list, although it is number 1 with me. We love our city, the schools and neighbors, it is a wonderful place to raise a family. Before moving here, we lived in Downers Grove, IL, about 6 miles east of Naperville, and the people there always said that the people here thought they were better than the ones in the surrounding towns. It's not that we think we are better, we are just very proud of our city and everything that Naperville has to offer. The city is clean and beautiful and you never have to worry about walking around whether its day or night. We have never regreted moving here. Thank you for naming our city number 2.
I am one of the original residents,moved here in 1968. I raised two daughters here and the education system is excellent. The fact that people move here for the ethnic diversity,the good schools and the friendly and accepting aura makes it a very comfortable place to be. People usually don't leave here to retire. We are equadistant from two major cities, Baltimore and DC that offer any entertainment or culture beyond Columbia you could want.Columbia is pretty, clean, user friendly and an excellent place to settle.By the way over the years I have lived for short times in other places...San Jose, CA and Sarasota, FL...I am back...so what does that say?
I lived in Naperville for 20 years and have moved. I now live in neighboring Oswego Il. It will be the next Naperville in 5 to 10 years. But, my stay in Naperville left many great memories.
Any survey that lists Maryland as a good place to live is bunk in my opinion. Lots of jobs here, but the area is crummy. Number 4 - I think NOT.
rockville, MD is a great town if you have lots of $$.
it has become very overpriced, 1 bedroom condos selling for 350K and more. and don't try to drive a car around Rt. 355 during most of the day if you have to be somewhere on time. Montg. County is suffering from tremendous overgrowth- due to building massive apt. and condos without the road infrastructure to handle it. We have the Ohio State Buckeyes, case closed:)
One huge factor that is not considered in the list: Friendliness. Yes, jobs, schools, climate, etc. are very important, but equally so is the kind of people.
Personally, having lived on the east coast for a while, I'll take the midwest because the people there are great and friendly. What difference does it make if you have lots of jobs, great schools and nice places to shop/ eat if the people you do all of that with are not nice and friendly? Lived in Naperville nine years. Great place to raise a family, safe, attractive, upscale without being overly pretentious. Hope all the rest of you don't move here!
Fort Collins???
If you don't mind the smell of "livestock" blowing in the wind, expensive food, 900 new homes being built per year, large homes built on postage stamp size lots, water shortages. Are you kidding? We are honored here in West Des Moines to be included in the Top 100 cities. We have a superb quality of life and when it comes to education, safety, and affordable but high quality living, we consider ourselves very fortunate. I think the results of this study are definitely corroborated by the terrific growth we have seen here in the last few years and will continue to see in years to come. Thanks for including us on this list with so many great cities!
-Jeff Pomeranz, City Manager, City of West Des Moines, Iowa Moved to Fort Collins six years ago to go to school, love it here, and will probably never leave...beautiful town with all the amenities of a larger city, while being only 45 minutes to Denver. Happy to see it is being recognized for the amazing place that it is
Bigger isn't always better... I will take Portsmouth NH over any of them.
I moved to Eden Prairie about 2 months ago, and I love it so far. It's only about 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis so there are tons of restaurants and cultural attractions, but it's also doesn't have the "big city" feel. It's quite diverse and the people I've met are very friendly. The city itself is clean with lots of trees and lakes, increasing the aesthetic appeal. There are biking/rollerblading paths everywhere, and plenty of sidewalks unlike many suburban areas. I can walk to the library, mall or a coffee shop instead of having to drive everywhere.
Apartments are reasonably priced, but houses are expensive. There are quite a few companies located here though so, for me, the lack of a commute might help to offset the cost if I decide to buy here. However, I haven't lived through a Minnesota winter yet so that may change my opinion! Omaha, NE!?!
What in Omaha differentiates it from 100's of wonderful other cities with much more to offer. Taxes are rediculous not only in Omaha but the entire state of Nebraska. Do you realize Nebraska is ranked 8th in highest taxed states. I own a $200,000 house and pay $4,300 in property taxes! Yes, there is a wonderful new performing arts center in an improving downtown district but that is it. Outdoor recreation consists of walking your dog, gardening and riding your bike on flat, boring trails through the city. Worst of all, Omaha is a good days drive from anything. Try 8 hours to the mountains of Colorado or 7 hours to the lakes of Minnesota. The midwest climate speaks for itself. The wind blows non-stop Fall through spring. The summers are hot and dry all while being very humid. One word describes Omaha....BORING! No offense but I don't consider many of these to be "cities"
If naming Ft Collins #1 means people will stop lining up to move to Boulder, where I've lived for 25 years, excellent news. Some of John's complaints - congestion, ozone, Cali-style gated community bs, etc - are absolutely valid, but by and large, the Front Range is still a pretty nice place to live. I've always liked Ft Collins, but it's a little far from skiing for my taste. Guess I'm spoiled.
NO PLACE in or around Dallas Fort Worth could be considered a "best place to live." Unchecked sprawl without improvement of roads and facilities, yuppie insanity and 100+ degrees for weeks on end in summer...you really must be joking.
I grew up in Naperville - lived there all my life - my family is still there (35 year residents) - the town has changed dramatically in the last few decades but has remained, in my humble opinion, the BEST place to raise children in the US.
Thanks for including Wichita. With great people and continued growth within the city, Wichita truly is a fabulous place to live and work.
I love Columbia, especially in the summer. There are free concerts, movies and shows every night outside in the town. The libraries are excellent with free activities for children and adults. There are lakes and miles of biking paths throughout the town. Columbia is between Baltimore and Washington, but you don't feel crushed by traffic and people like other Washington suburbs.
Va Beach? You have to be kidding. Lived there, moved away.
Eden Prairie, MN. great if you love not being able to do anything without the approval of the city government, worry about what your neighbors think of your yard, and like to sit in traffic all day long, every day. There are a lot of places in Minnesota that are nicer to live than eden prairie.
I went to CSU and truly enjoyed my time in Fort Collins. It has grown, but the city planners have handled growth the right way. I still have family in Fort Collins and make it up there every chance I get. I'd love to live there when I retire!
Chicago is the most livable major city in the U.S. hands down with a maximum amount of culture as well as natural beauty. I do not know the criteria that was used this study was obvioulsy flawed.
I grew up in Fairfield, CT and am not surprised to see it on the list. It's really a great, beautiful place to be. However, the cost of housing in Fairfield and Fairfield County has become so outrageous that no one but the super rich can afford it anymore. I've just graduated college and even with a secure job, I doubt that I will ever be able to buy a home there. It's a real shame.
I went to college at Fairfield University. It was a beautiful city situated right on the beach with beautiful homes and very kind people. The areas around it offer numerous places to dine and a lot of fun activities. It is also close enough to New York City to commute. I like that it has all the atmosphere of a small town with the ammenities of a larger one if not in the city, extremely close by. I love Fairfield and think it would be a wonderful place to live and raise a family!
Several places in CO are worthly of your "best cities" list, but I am happy to see places outside of Denver make it! Come on over!
Austin, TX is one of the greatest cities in the United States and I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind. There is so much to do here with the Colorado River that is dammed into lakes nearby as well as the hill country which provides for hiking and biking opportunities. This is definitely not your average Texas and don't think for one minute that people are close-minded here! Life is great here and I don't want to live anywhere else!
I go to Colorado State University located in Fort Collins and I love the atmosphere in the "Fort" It truley is a wonderful place to live
I grew up in Naperville, graduated from High School in Overland Park, lived outside Austin for 5 years and now live in Colorado Springs. I guess I have done OK by your measures!
Obviously no one who researched this article had ever lived in Columbus, OH. We have high taxes, ineffective city and state government, high professional unemployment and a flight of the best and the brightest out of the state. I'm following them in short order.
Bend isn't all it's cracked up to be. The median family income takes into account a small percentage of very, very well paid people (mostly California commuters) and ignores the fact that the rest of us are lucky to find service-industry work. Add to it housing prices going sky-high and you can plan on your children moving out of the area... they won't be able to afford to stay. Poverty with a view is right.
I was surprised to see Plano, TX on the list. I have visited that flat monotonous suburb many times and never felt like it possesed any real character. That is unless you count cookie-cutter houses, vegetation that is sparse and depressing, and strip mall after strip mall full of restaurant chains and icons of our capitalist economy which render the sense that one is stuck in the twilight zone character!
Virginia Beach is a jewel that many have not discovered. I am pleased that you have!!
So, obviously Pea Ridge Arkansas has never been visited. It is a little slice of heaven - Big Sugar creek [which is a navigatable creek] cuts through our property. In the fall and winter months, our farm becomes a bald eagle haven - with bald eagles everywhere. In the summer, we have cool swimming and small mouth bass fishing! Again, a little slice of heaven!
Columbus is the capital of Ohio and is blessed with a number of excellent suburbs including Dublin, Ohio. Dublin has a highly rated school system, a thriving business community (the headquarters for both Cardinal Health and Wendy's International), several highly ranked golf courses, 77 miles of bike trails, 38 parks, a recreation center, and so forth. Dublin is also home to Jack Nicklaus's Memorial Golf Tournament and hosts one of the top Irish festivals in the USA. I look forward to a future Money poll that would show how Dublin, Ohio stacks up with other smaller cities around the country.
Ft. Collins is amazing. Great choice!
Very happy to see my home town of Mentor Ohio on the list. It has everything - beautiful scenery, a long sandy Lake Erie beach, a National Historic place (James Garfield Home), great food, great shopping, and fantastic schools and city support services, and reasonably priced homes. Best of all, it has some of the nicest residents you'll ever meet!
So, I was born and raised in Columbia/Ellicott City and if it is one of the top 5 places to live in the country that is a shame. If the best places to live are judged by how many national chain stores are within walking distance, how many overpriced homes that look exactly the same and have not one ounce of character in them, and how effectively a diverse population can be homogenized, then hooray for Columbia, but I honestly can't get far enough away. The funny thing is, I was in Naperville yesterday and thought how much like Columbia it was. My friend showed me this article today and now I see why.
Stamford, Connecticut....I see my hometown made 46. It is one of the best places to live with lots of diversity! I recently moved to the midwest, and I really am proud to know that I was born somewhere were you get culture, diversity, and having he option of enjoying a day at the beach or a day in the country. I miss all that Stamford Connecticut had to offer and am proud we are number 46!
I spent the 1st 25 years of my life in Ohio, growing up in Sandusky and spending the last 7 of my 25 years in Columbus. In the 22 years since leaving Ohio I've lived in Tucson, AZ (1 year), various locations around Boston, MA (5 years), 2 years in Austin, TX and the rest of the time here in Oregon. And like many readers, I'm guessing my Top 10 list might have 2 cities in common with someone else's list. The truth is we each have our own preferences that may/may not jive w/statistical data. I totally loved living in Ohio and MA but our family couldn't wait to move out of Texas and get back to a northern state. Oregon is a fantastic state and the Pacific NW unbelievably beautiful as an area to live in for countless reasons, but that's what my wife, kids and I think. When we lived in Texas there were more than a few neighbors who said they could never live in Oregon or Washington: "it rains too much." Statistics are nice but they can't begin to comprehend our individual human screening criteria.
Most of the top 10 are good, but new york, get real only a new yorker would find any value in living in new york,
No surprise to those of us who live and work here, Raleigh and neighboring Cary are great places for many reasons. In addition to all the facts you list, we are also home to the 2006 Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes!
Love it!
Historical, beautiful, very clean, diverse cultures and proximity to so many different activities. You can ski in Flagstaff in the morning and play golf in the afternoon in Scootsdale. Great for family living and untolled sporting teams and related activities.
You can go to a Rodeo or Philharmonic concert in the same day. Hee Haww I can't believe that Fort Walton/Destin, Florida did not make the list! If all these other towns and cities are so great, then why is my hometown crowded with people who don't live here? Stay home and enjoy your 500 movie theaters, and I'll enjoy the crystal white beaches.
I love my hometown of Fairfield, CT. It was an ideal place to grow up and to this day, remains my favorite place to visit. Each time I go back, however, I am saddened by the number of large chain stores that have landed in town. I fear that soon, it will become unrecognizable.
I was surprised to see Eden Prairie, MN on this list. My husband works in Eden Prairie as a preschool teacher, but we can�t afford to live there. I believe that Eden Prairie looks good on paper because it�s a concentration of more affluent families. We�ve found that Eden Prairie is not culturally, racially or economically diverse. Because of housing costs and traffic congestion in the southwest Twin Cities� suburbs, my husband is looking for employment elsewhere.
It looks good on paper, but it is a prime example of suburban sprawl - one strip mall after another, few sidewalks and no public transportation. The schools are great, but almost all kids must take buses.
Between my wife and I, we have lived in more than 10 of these cities. The criteria for voting the "best place to live" DEFINITELY needs to change...or...this country is just as screwed up as we thought. America...buy a paper and move to town!
BTW, Fishers, IN should be number 1! Surprised to see Richmond low on the list. Has great neighborhoods--Glen Allen, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, Bon Air, Fan District, Museum District, Westhampton. Most people live in the suburbs, but commute to Richmond to work. Richmond is in an excellent location--2 hours from the mountains or the beach, 2 hours from DC, which makes it very appealing. Good climate with 4 distinct seasons. Plenty of cultural activities in the schools, universities and a wonderful world-class symphony. Many excellent museums, home to 8 Fortune 500 companies. Charlottesville and Fredericksburg are good smaller cities. Great state, low taxes, plenty of diversity.
I am amazed at how few WA cities made the list. However, as a resident of Bellingham WA, I am glad since these inevitably draw hordes of invaders (like myself) looking for a great place to live. Inevitably, the great place isnt so great after a population boom. Us invaders may bring money and an culture, but also inflated home prices, sprawl and pollution.
Dont put Bellingham on any of these lists. It's boring and rains all the time. Stay away. How did Omaha make it? The state ranks 7th for taxes, it gets really cold, the zoo costs almost 12 dollars admission, Omaha steaks are overrated and I'm not sure how having Warren Buffett around helps the average resident.
Santa Clarita has everything: excellent libraries, great schools, amazing restaurants, great variety of stores and shopping malls, theatres, recreation centers and parks, safety, and a great planned community.
Antonio Moved to Eden Prairie 8 years. Great public schools, parks and trails. Kids stay busy with choice of after school activities. Winters are cold but you get used to it. Summers are cooler as well, which we like. Friendly people, quiet, and moderate traffic. Nice place to live.
I'm really surprised that so many places around DC made the cut -- massive congestion; ridiculously high home prices; yuppie infestation everywhere; intrusive (and incompetent) local governments. If you're looking to move, you might want to look elsewhere.
Fredericksburg Virgina is America's best kept secret. A perfect small town that embodies the very best of our country.
Columbia comes about as close to suburbian utopia as is possible. We don't mind paying for a little higher standard of living, because that is what we acheive everyday.
Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey.
Excellent public services, fine police department, department of public works, fire department, great public and private schools, within one hour of NYC, the Jersey Shore, the Pocono Mtns, affordable property taxes due to mix of commercial and industrial ratables...Best place to live in New Jersey. I can't take this list seriously - where are the California cities?? I know our home prices are steep, and our schools aren't the best - but 33 million people can't be wrong. All I see are the most conservative CA cities on your top 25 - including San Diego, which is in the big cities list. I'm confused. I think there are a few cities in the peninsula area of the SF Bay Area that would probably make it in every category other than housing prices.
If Destin/Ft Walton, FL didn't make the list, why is it so crowded with tourists? Please stay home and enjoy your 500 movie theaters, and I'll enjoy the crystal white beaches, emerald green waters, and 9 months of perfect weather.
It's the best! Great for the big kids in us all! Plenty of shopping and eating & the best part is the people are friendly! Then if you like the moutains as close by!
I relocated to Columbia from NYC a few months ago and myself and my teenage son are loving it. I love the location, the school system,the diversity, the upkeep and maintenance, and Columbia in general. It's suburban but, if you want nightlife you're not too far from DC and/or Baltimore. I'm a federal government employee and I have met countless fellow government workers residing in Columbia. The housing prices have increased. However, you still get more for your money and a better quality of life than you would purchasing a "piece" of property in NYC. Overall, no complaints.
I am glad to see that not much of Florida made it on this list. Florida is too hot, too crowded and too expensive. It is becoming like California where only the rich live. I lived in Florida from 1990-2004, best thing I ever did was MOVE!
For me, it's Dallas, Pa! Great area,
friendly people, clean air, plenty of woods & lakes, cheap housing, just plain, good old country living! Lived in Parsippany for 12 yrs. One of best town in NJ.
Origially from Ohio - lived in Richardson & Plano (TX) for over 15 years, 9 years in Ventura CA (south of Santa barbars) and now live at the edge of Reston VA.
Texas wins - hands down!! We WILL return to the Dallas area come retirement time - if not sooner. my family moved to OP when i was in sixth grade; we found it to be a wonderful place to grow up. it's safe, the people are friendly, and the schools are great. now, i have my own family and am tired of the dirty, rude east coast and am looking to go back. go huskies!
I'm sorry but any list that would put Naperville, Illinois at #2 simply cannot be trusted. Ugh. A few nice homes and a cute downtown do not make up for the cookie-cutter subdivisions, the strip malls, the chain restaurants and the lack of any kind of diversity. Not to mention that Illinois has very little in the way of natural interest except Lake Michigan (unless you're into cornfields) and the weather stinks for 75% of the year. I should know, I live in Chicago. And had family in Naperville for years. No thanks!
It's the "kiss of death" to make it to this list.
My hometown was #1 a couple of years back - and everyone noticed - and moved there. Housing prices and taxes have skyrocketed since. I can't afford to move back. You don't want to be on this list, trust me. I am currently living in Centreville, VA which is a great suburban area. I am originallly from South Hill, VA which is a wonderful small town with great down-to-earth country folk. I will move back there after retirement, if not sooner. I love good ole country towns. They offer the best quality of living and the best food.
Live in Miramar, FL No. 81 which is next to Pembroke Pines, FL No. 51, within 10 miles of Coral Springs, FL No. 27 and 20 miles from Boca Raton, FL which is No. 30. This area votes democrat and against additional taxes! We are in the Hurricane Zone, but do to decades of stricter building codes unless you live in a trailer or on the beach you do not need to evacuate. I recommend a generator we do lose power. If you are considering moving here -- teach your kids to swim. A large number of the homes have pools and the area has lakes, and a canal system. The folks aren't snooty, but then we have been getting people worldwide for decades and decades. I am a 6th generation Floridian and back in the 60s only 2 in my class of 30 were actually born here. I snowed once in my 55 years, in was 4AM and that little bit was gone before I got up. In the winter our light bills go down.
Colorado Springs is definately NOT the best big city. My family has lived there for two decades and the problem with this survey is that is counts the number of restaurants, not the quality. Almost all of the restaurants in Colorado Springs are chains, serving mediocre food. It also counts the number of museums and not the quality, the 4 museums in Colorado Springs are barely worth a person's time.
I think the whole best list of places to live is bull. The best place for me to live is somewhere i can afford. When I look at the cultural and economic make up of your list, it's obvious that you can't be looking for that melting pot we call America. There are nice communities everywhere and there are some of the best people to know in some not so (in your terms) desirable communities.
I used to live in Columbus, Ohio and I must say that it has grown in since the 8 years that I lived there. It is a great place to live, & raise a family, but I'd wish the city would improve it's public transportation system. If, you live outside the High Street corridor (the main line), and you do not work a 9-5 job, COTA (the public transportation system) is totally unreliable, as it was highlighted in the first episode of Morgan Spurlock's "30 Days" series.
I live in Eden Prairie and I absolutely love it! It is very clean, well-kept, and high quality. All the neighborhoods are beautiful every convenience one needs is located here. I have never felt safer anywhere. I was considering moving to FL but have decided against it because I like Eden Prairie so much.
You should check out HOLLAND..MICHIGAN.....Great place to live ...work and play......!
A great place to live, but has way too many arrogant, self-righteous snobs.
I live in Colorado Springs and have for more than 35 years now --- what this article fails to mention is that it's extremely over crowded and has been experiencing a huge growth spurt for more than 10 years now; housing prices are soaring; jobs are difficult to come by and wages for the general population are low unless you are employed with one of the many military installations; their weather stats are off as we've had several weeks in the 90's now (in July and even back in May, 2006) and they say the July "high" is 84. We have had several years running with a severe drought and wildfires all around with watering restrictions strictly enforced so the 17" of precipitation is a lot more than what we've experienced for several years now. Colorado Springs is my home and I love it here, but I certainly didn't recognize it based on the information published by Money Magazine.
I just love Cherry Hill and was happy to see we're #47. The schools are great. Almost every neighborhood has a pool, there are restaurants galore. The library is fantastic and there are lots of places to go shopping. Plus it's convenient to Philly, and only about an hours drive to the shore.
I live in Olathe- which is a KC suburb-It is a nice place to raise children- but when we retire-- Here we come Montana- Shocked to not see one place from Montana on the list-- More in love than ever with the wonderful people of Montana for their mutual shock--
I was raised in Columbia and have been here since 1974. I am now raising my family here and couldn't imagine raising my sons anywhere else. Columbia is not Utopia, but it is as close as we can get with low crime, well-kept surroundings and neighbors who care about their property. You can sit in your house and enjoy the quiet, not sirens; you can walk or bike the entire city on bike paths; or you can work out in one of the athletic clubs. Columbia is very unique and the most welcoming, diverse place I know. I am proud to live in a town worthy of such an honor.
I think Fishers and Carmel are overrated. Some of the townships have good schools and low crime rates as well, as well as lower housing costs. Ask any Indianapolis native, the "Northside" has too much traffic, and is growing way too fast.
Wylie, Texas is absolutely gorgeous. Great elementary and high schools. Outstanding and breathtaking scenery. Affordable homes. Nice people. Definitely affordable !! Move to Wylie!! people !!
Naperville, IL number 2 best place in America to live? You have got to be kidding. Naperville is a nice place, yes, but it is filled with June Cleaver wannabes. People move in and out so fast there is little sense of community. And, it is so tract homish. No culture and no distinctive identity apart from the tract home
We fell in love with Sugar Land, Texas the very first time we saw it. It is very cosmopolitan, but with a deeply personal small town feel. Homes are affordable, and neighborhoods are flawlesly landscaped and maintained. We do not have children, but we know for a fact that schools are excellent. We live next to Oyster Creek Park located in the heart of Sugar Land's First Colony and we won't consider living anywhere else. To sum it up...SUGAR Land is a SWEET place to live.
In terms of beauty, quality of life, schools - public and private (home of Phillips Academy),friendly people, shopping and old New England small town charm, Andover, Mass tops my list. I've lived here for 9 years and plan to happily haunt one or two of these lovely homes when I die...
Thanks for the yearly update! I'm honored to have recently relocated to a top 15 city, Richardson, Texas, with no regard for its national ranking, just looking for more growth and more opportunities than offered minorities in St. Louis, Missouri. But -- the tap water here is digusting, the drivers are extremely rude and hazardous, fast-food trash is abandoned anywhere in stores and on parking lots where shopping carts are left everywhere. I do prefer the "dry heat" to St. Louis' humid heat. So all said, in terms of plentiful jobs and affordable housing, the Dallas area beats St. Louis, Missouri, hands down.
Bethlehem is moving forward. the old steel plant is hopefully going to become a casino/retqail/entertainment complex which will be a boon to the economy. I have live here for 10 years and many of the "old" timers are stuck in the past and aren't forward looking enough but the city is trying. Housing is affordable compared to NY/NJ, decent jobs tough to come by. The festivals are great but they don't make any money, historic downtown Bethlehem is very charming but lacks a nice anchor store to bring people down to shop. Hanover township & Bethlehem township are the places to live in Bethlehem
Boca is listed as #30 in your review of the Best Places.
I believe it should be in the top 10. Low violent crime, combined with high levels of education and income make this a great place to live. I have lived in 12 places in 50 years, and this is by far the best. I've put down roots and plan to retire here as well. The only negative is the cost of housing, but as with any market economy, the best places to live are always most costly. PS: The only place I ever lived that the local grocery stores and doctor offices have valet parking Santa Clarita is a fantastic city to live in. We have more than just great weather. The schools, their sports teams, entertainment and our city's infrastructure are all the best I've seen.
I used to live in the Chicago area, in Sugar Grove, IL, and would hang out at the riverwalk in Naperville almost every night. I'm sure things aren't they way they were then, but I remember Naperville as the place I sort of grew up with fond memories of great friends. I still miss being a "river rat".
I think that the best place to live isn't even in the U.S.--it's Canada--THE greatest country in the world!! Lots of wide open spaces and clean, cool, fresh air and water. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world!!!
If you love all four seasons and diversity, you've got to love Pittsburgh and all outlying regions.
The city itself is strikingly beautiful, especially when entering from the Liberty or Fort Pitt tunnels. The skyline is breathtaking. We have the top medical facilities in the county and our museums rank among the best. The outlying communities have so much to offer year round with their rivers, mountains, historic sites, national parks, local festivals and seasonal events. Winters can be harsh, but our location protects us from most natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Looking at the big picture, we can't be beat! I have lived in Livermore Ca. (ranked as 31st in the nation) going on 12 years. While this town has some really friendly people and low crime rates it is hotter than blazes in the summer! Not a place for the heat intolerant. It also has a smog which settles into the valley almost the entire summer. long. Groceries are overpriced as well as gas and are higher than some of the other Bay Area cities. If you could judge a City by the quality of people and housing alone this would be a perfect place.
Columbus, Ohio... Are you kidding me. The town has no geography (no major mountains, lakes or rivers). If columbus is so great, how come so many people are moving out of ohio in record numbers?
I have visited Boise, Spokane, Colo Springs, Prescott, AZ, and Billings, MT as potential places to live. Boise seems like the best over all, despite my positive about Billings. Spokane seemed depressed, kind of beaten down. But there are beautiful surroundings. Colo Sprngs was a bit of a disappointment, though it is high on the list. It seemed like a well-maintained city. It was probably the best for employment. Prescott has a beautiful center-city, but it's pretty much downhill from there. Very heavy traffic, and confusing street layout. It's really easy to get lost even with a map once leaving the downtown. But, ah, Billings. That'd be my best place. I've never met nicer people, and the neighborhoods seemed great. And no sales tax! But watch out for the tax assessor! On the downside, I think the employment options really don't exist.
It is good to see Wichita, KS make the list! Everything is very convenient, from getting car tags, to shopping and eating out. It's a great place to raise kids, plus there are a lot of golf courses, some nearby lakes, good paying jobs, affordable housing, and a lot of sunny days! Did I mention friendly people? I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
I am surprised that none of the cities in Orange county of California make it to the list. I have been living in Irvine( one of the safest city in US )for almost 8 years. So far so good, no complaint at all.
Ya know, I live in Colorado Springs. The #1 place? I wouldn't agree. I have been here for a few months. The weather is insane. Sunny winter, rainy summer. When it rains or snows or gets dark, people crash their cars. There are so many accidents here. I wouldn't say #1. Maybe in the top 100 somewhere, but not #1
Why do these lists never include statistics on public transportation?
We moved to Rio Rancho about a year ago and think its great. The schools are great, plenty of stuff to do, very affordable housing and lots of sunny days. You can't beat it.
Yes it is a good city but it is far from being a great one. Growth has come too fast (ugly cookie-cutter homes on south/east end of town) and property values have gone crazy in Old Town. Traffic is terrible as there are only a few major roads for the 250,000 people in the area that flock to town. FtC is too far from Denver to be a part of RTD (the Denver metro transit district) but wages are too low so it is a nightmare commute up/down the very dangerous I-25 for too many people. Poudre School District is ok but actually lags other districts of comparable wealth in the state. I still love it here but we have much to improve.
Naperville being up here doesn't surprise me at all. It has every amenity imaginable and an unbeatable downtown. It even has a community beach. Homes here are more affordable than in other suburbs, because of its distance (30 miles) from Chicago. You can spend 50% more for the same house in Downers Grove or Wheaton, nearby.
Traffic is a bit congested, but this is Chicagoland - what do you expect? The traffic is better here than in Schaumburg, Oak Brook or many other Chicago suburban centers. #1 Library, awesome park district, schools, nightlife, etc. Express trains to the city that beat any other suburb. I will say that there is a pressure to keep up with the Joneses. Many people have money here, and it shows. We make $130K household income, and feel poor, and less able to afford things that some of our friends can. That part is hard. For the most part, though, people are friendly anyway when you get to know them one-on-one. Naperville deserves to be on the list, but you need some disposable income, not to live, but to fit in. You guys (and your computer model) miss the mark totally in my state of Rhode Island, and that's just as well. I'd want your readers to look at this survey, drive thru the so-called best places, and then keep going south on 95.
Lists like these ruined Austin. I have lived in Austin for 23 years and witnessed the Californication of Austin. All the hip/groovy places have been closing and are being replaced by chain stores/restaurants and strip malls. Traffic is horrendous !!! The west coast housing bubble is being imported here rapidly.
There are some great places to live in South Carolina. Ask all the people from the mid-west, Pa,& Florida that moved here. I live in Charleston and it's one of the most beautiful & historical places in the U.S. This is Tiger, Gamecock & Bulldog Country!
I moved from Dallas, TX to Fort Collins so I could attend CSU. What a totally different world. Has all the best qualities of a well developed city, not to mention incredible views Rocky Mountains. I now call FOCO my new home nestled in the Foothills. Having graduated from CSU in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism, I plan to make my future here with the thousands of opportunities the state has to offer new graduates.
I am a Naperville native and agree that it is a great place to grow... however, I live in Chicago now and would NEVER EVER go back, it is a suburb after all, not a real city.
What's wrong with St. Louis? I love it, lots of culture and terrific arts, great suburbs, and an architectually beautiful downtown that is being re-vitalize.
Why did it score so low? job growth? PLEASE don't put us on the List. We are 45,000, nestled in a charming community with no air pollution, no freeways and only an hour from Santa Barbara. Also - affordable!
I don't understand how Vermont did not make the list, considering that the state has some of the most livable cities in the country. It must be an editorial oversight. Or perhaps you believe the rumours that we got fed up with the United States, and seceded.
I live in Plano -- is like Irvine, California - lots of image conscious people, driving BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and pursuing their careers or perfect body. It's also the land of soccer mom's (driving Lexus 450s), tanning salons, and conspicuous consumption. Lots of peer pressure to 'look good' - it wasn't always this way until the big influx of transplants from all over the US.
Reston?! Have then actually been here? The traffic is miserable, cost of living is outrageous, the local government is practically having a civil war. If you're going to live in Northern Virginia, Reston isn't my first choice.
I'm glad to see that Carrollton, TX made the list because no one knows about the city. Carrollton has been a great city and its 15 minutes away from everything in Dallas, Denton, and Plano.
Well,as a resident of a small town right outside Washington, DC [I live in Upper Marlboro, MD], I would have to say that although the overall atmosphere is great, the price for living near DC is HIGH! Housing prices are outta reach for most people and if you are a first time homebuyer, you definitely want to look elsewhere. I read the comments about Columbia and the only truth I find is that they "pay a higher price for living". Property taxes are extremely high in both Prince Georges County and Montgomery County and not worth the money. I am looking to relocate now and looking at this list, I really feel like the criteria should be reworked. I can't believe that Charlotte, NC did not even make the list at all -- what a shock! I am looking at somewhere in NC and it seems like Carey is the only place on this list that makes sense for me.
Portland, Maine??? Give me a break. 40 feet of snow from September until May and Mainers who won't give you the time of day? I will take southern humidity and hospitality any day.
As a former resident of California, you forgot to look at the city of Foster City. It is a wonderful family community with lots of parks and many lagoons. It has low crime and excellent schools. I recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona and it has none of the charm that Foster City has. I hope someday to move back!!
I grew up close to Fort Collins in Cheyenne, WY, went to college at CSU for 4 years, and later worked in Ft Collins for another 4 1/2 years. One point I would agree with...is that if you know what Ft Collins used to be like, (say 10 to 15 years ago), you probably would not rate it #1 these days based on the traffic, pollution, housing market, etc., etc...whereas if you just moved to Ft Collins in the last 5 years from California you would think it is a top 10 small city. Everything is relative and everything will eventually change, including this rank list.
What idiot picked all those places in Texas? 10 in Texass and none in Kentucky? Nothing like a bias study.
I grew up in Columbia, and moved away when I joined the Air Force. I'm back in the area now, but can't afford to live in Columbia. It was set up as a model city in the 60's, and I believe many others have since followed. Once I retire from the AF and get a better paying job I'd like to return to Columbia or the surrounding areas.
I love West Bloomfield! Excellent schools and a feeling of hometown and a bit of country privacy all in one.
I moved from Naperville to Oregon a few years back, and if you think housing in Naperville is unaffordable, think again. It's all relative. In Lake Oswego where I live, its ridiculous. Upwards of 600k for 1500 sq. foot homes! While I enjoy living here- clean, safe, good schools, mountains nearby- I'd move back to Naperville in a heartbeat. Great place to live and raise a family. And please stop complaining about how flat and cold it is there--that's why you take a vacation!!
Lived in Naperville for 4 years and it is great!!
Carmel and Fishers are very nice places to live...if you have lived in Indiana your whole life, you don't know how lucky you are. A 20 minute traffic jam is nothing compared to most cities. Great housing, restaurants, and if you actually look at the numbers, the housing costs are low compared to other cities on this list and even compared to other parts of Indy. There is little to no crime and highly rated schools. Even if you don't live there, it bodes well for all of Indianapolis.
Ski Resorts? You put ski resorts as some sort of benchmark. So that favors cities in the mountains. How about beaches? Or lakes? Other stuff that people flock to during holidays and vacations. Cities like Miami or Corpus Christie aren't going to be able to compete with Colorado Springs and such if number of ski resorts is a singular qualifier for Leisure and culture.
After living most of our lives in N.J. (40+) we moved to Ellicott City. We have spent the last 12 years there and couldn't have been happier. Two of our sons went through Howard County middle and high schools and received an excellent education. Our middle son is now an elementary P.E. teacher in Howard County - we couldn't be more proud. My husband & I relocated to Knoxville, TN 8 months ago - a career move. Although everyone we meet tells us there is no better place to live, we know we will be back to Ellicott City after retirement. We truly miss it!
Having grown up in Naperville for 14 years - going through the public school system, being involved in Naperville Park District programs etc, I have to say that looking back it was one of the best places to prepare me for my time growing into an adult 1,000 miles away in a city. The public schools are absolutely amazing... especially Waubonsie Valley. GO WV!
I'm 21 years old and have lived in Columbia my entire life. After living in a major city during my college years, I can now truly appreciate Columbia even more. There's no city like it that I know of. The extensive planning that the town was built upon creates a wonderful network of neighborhood "villages" that provide the atmosphere and community of a small town with the overall connectedness of the large city. The amenities are great--extensive bike paths, playgrounds, lakes, parks as well as a superior pool and gym system. The schools are great too. And perhaps the best thing about this town is the diversity it offers. With such a mix of cultures, religions, races, etc., I feel I am truly lucky to have grown up in such a place in which I can be comfortable with the world. This is where I plan to raise my family.
Cary is great. I live there. I love it. The people are friendly, the city is clean, the amenities are great, and the weather tends to be nice. The beach is 2 hrs away, the mountains are 2 hours in the opposite direction, what more can you ask for?
The fact that you have to review the postings submitted here indicates that your list is rigged. Why not post *all* the comments? Why review them to determine what's "appropriate"? Let people voice their opinions for crying out loud.
I live in Ft. Collins, CO and yes, it is a wonderful place to live. But the work situation with regards to high tech, is NOT good. I have been laid off 4 times in 4 years by high tech companies and I know several people who take months and months to be able to find a job.
Murfreesboro is Amazing, Soon to be
the South's next major city. Rutherford County (Murfreesboro,Smyrna,LaVergne) was #1 in nation for Job Growth earlier this year, Clarke County, NV was #2. The City is very progressive with it's road program. Murfreesboro is a day's drive to 3/4 of the population! Atlanta, The Great Smokey Moutain's and Several Major Cities are within 3 to 4 hours, and it's on the major routh from Chicago to Florida. Many new Roads are in the works, Interstate 24 is being widened all the way to Nashville (30 miles) and new exits are being built. New restaurants, malls, hotels, parks etc. are being announced almost daily. The Avenues is a 140 million dollar mall construction is starting on this month, a new hotel and convention center is coming,etc.,etc.,. There is so much happenig here, MTSU is here with 23,000 + students and Growing, New Business Parks are Coming,There is an awesome greenway system here that will soon be expanding. Every Part of this town is booming and will continue well into the Future. This is a Historical city, it was once the capital of Tennessee from 1819 to 1825 and is home to Stones River Battlefield, a major Civil War Battlefield. Nissan makes most of its vehicles here in Rutherford county, it's also the video, cd and book distribution capital of the world with major companies like, Ingram, Borders, Waldenbook, Hollywood Video and many more. Other major Companies include: State Farm, General Mills, Cardinal Health, Old Time Pottery is Headquartered here and many more. Murfreesboro is the home of Chris Young, the Nashville Star Winner! It has been the home to Astronauts, Pro Football Player, Movie Stars, Country Music Legends, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Great Politicans, to Great American Hero's! Murfreesboro is an exciting, vibrant city that the people that live here love. There is a feeling in this town that makes you happy and proud to be an American! I think the 216,000 medium housing in Ft. Collins is low. Even old houses can go for that
I will be moving to Scottsdale from Seattle as my company decided 2 move its HQ. I really didn�t have many high expectations from a city all the way in AZ after living in a vibrant place like Seattle... but after the initial shock I do have to admit that I was rather pleased by Scottsdale. Things that really stood out were the number of restaurants, golf courses and the feeling that you are in a vacation 24/7. I know the summers are going to be brutal (I am moving in two days) but one has to appreciate the 300 or so days of sunshine. I was really surprised by the inflated home prices even after living in Seattle.
The good: Columbia is a nice, multicultural community that has lots to offer. There are plenty of restaurants, a concert venue, parks, etc. There are no huge billboards or signs, with plenty of trees that line the roads. I'm not sure about the schools, but from what I've heard, I'm sure the schools are nice. Overall, it is a very nice area.
The bad: Because of the lack of signs in Columbia, it's very difficult to find anything unless you've lived there for a while. It has a good location between D.C. and Baltimore, but the location can result in traffic congestion. Housing prices are absolutetly ridiculous. For the most part, the people seem to be nice. But, there are also plenty of snobs in the area. My perspective: I've lived in Maryland all my life, and there is one thing that Columbia severely lacks. Although Columbia represents a very culturally diverse community, it has pretty much snubbed all local culture. Maryland is about getting together with your family to watch the orioles (better known as the Os) lose yet another game while throwing back a few beers, cracking open a few crabs (completely covered in Old Bay of course), and taking on a few pieces of corn on the cob. Sure, I like Indian food. There is an Indian restuarant in Columbia that I absolutely love. But, where can I get a good crab cake in Columbia? I don't know of any restaurant in Columbia where I can get a good crab cake. If someone does know of a place that has good crab cakes, then they better give me some pretty good directions to the restaurant. Otherwise, I'll never be able to find it. There are no signs in Columbia. I live in Pasadena, MD. It's a waterfront/water-oriented area about 20-30 minutes from Columbia, depending on traffic. I grew up in Pasadena (a mixed white-collar/blue-collar town) in a more white-collar area. My wife grew up in a more blue-collar area of Pasadena (where we now live). We met in graduate school, where I received my Master's degree and she received her Ph.D. We didn't grow up in Columbia, but amazingly we have been fairly successful. As stated above, we live in a more blue-collar area of Pasadena, where there are plenty of trucks on the road with ladder racks, tool boxes, etc. Many people here don't speak with perfect grammar. Many haven't been to college. But, that doesn't mean that they're stupid (some people who live in Columbia may not agree). There are plenty of people here that can fix your car (most college grads wouldn't know where to begin). They can put an addition on your house, fix your plumbing, and do pretty much everything that you didn't learn in college or grad school that you wish you had learned. Most people that live here work hard for a living, doing fairly physical labor. But, they know how to live. They know what Maryland is about. On the weekends, they might go out fishing, crabbing, water skiing, jet skiing, or sailing (sailing is more common in the white-collar areas). They may just go for a joy ride on the boat. They may pull their boat up to a waterfront restaurant or bar and just hang out for a while. Or, they may just drive their boat up to a local sandbar and hang out on the sandbar for the day. This is what Maryland is about. You just don't get that in Columbia. Columbia looks nice, but it's pretty much like staying at a Sheraton on a Carribean island. The Sheraton is pretty much the same whether it's on a Carribean island or somewhere in the U.S. It's nice, but if you don't move off of the hotel grounds, you don't get to experience the local culture. I don't know how anyone, except for yuppies maybe, can consider 200k to 250k price tag is reasonable! How can that be considered affordable. Since housing is now considered "an investment" to line the pockets of so-called "baby boomers" (which age group I am in, unfortunately), instead of a basic necessity. Instead of having a nice, comfy home we are now pushed to have showcases that are better than our neightbors. The American mentality now is LUXURY.
I enjoyed comparing Camden, NJ to Detroit. As a Native of NJ now living in Maine, I often talk of Camden. And Everyone thinks Detroit is bad, HA! National Avg is 100, Detroit's personal crime index is 445. Camden, NJ is 609, same as its area code.
Fort Collins, CO is indeed a wonderful place to live. No wonder it's number one!
when i see a list like this, i hold my breath until i see that where i live is not on it. i love my location and the fewer people that know of it, the happier i am. for that reason, i will not include the city and state. thank you.
I live in Casper Wyoming and like it. There are a lot of fun things to do here and we are only hours away from Yellowstone. Whats not to like?
Some may wish to consider living in New Zealand. For those who do not know NZ consists of 3 main islands 1200 miles East of Australia in the SW Pacific Ocean. We have the best boating in the world and also have some of the best ski resorts - all within short distances of each other.
I live in Kerikeri in the beautiful Bay of Islands on the NE coast of the North Island. We are 3 hours drive from Auckland, NZ's biggest city. Our climate is subtropical with temperatures ranging from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius. Our dollar is currently worth 62 US cents and real estate prices are reasonable - especially taking the exchange rate into consideration. So, take a trip down here and see what we have to offer. You have listed Detroit, MI as one of the best places to live. What are you guys smoking?
As a first time home owner, fairfield connecticut is out of reach. You say the median family income is $113,429 and median home price is $565,000 most people who live their could not afford to buy in their at todays prices. My husband earns $350,000 per year, we have a sizeable down payment and can only afford a shack in fairfield. It is the best place to live if you are a millionaire or if your family bought in before the boom. We unfortunately missed the boat.
Why isn't Albuquerque on the list? It has everything including great weather, The International Balloon Festival, Botanical gardens, unique zoo, Old Town, Sandia Mts., Sandia Casino, Tingley Beach, a live downtown, a wonderful convention center, the Kimo theater, The NM Symphony, The Isotopes, the Lobos, arts and crafts beyond those in Santa Fe, a popular State Fair, Horse racing and a casino at the fairgrounds, a flea market on Saturday's and Sunday. The best weather anywhere....
Interesting that Rochester, New York is on the list of one of New York's best places to live. Out of curiosity I looked and found it to be much higher than average in all the wrong categories! Personal crime rate is staggering despite local governmental promises and futile attempts to keep it to a minimum. Job growth is virtually at a stand still and increase in property value is at 0%. I'd like to know what kind of standards make it one of the best places to live when so many have left and so many more are trying to leave. I lived in Rochester most of my life and I can tell you that there are much more beautiful and peaceful places in New York to live than that one.
This blog is ridiculous. So many people are saying that their own hometown is underranked. The people who create this list aren't morons; they go off the best quantifiable data they can.
Also, what is with all these people complaining that places are too expensive. Its not too expensive for the people that choose to live there. Maybe a more apt complaint would be "I don't have enough money to live there." Its not the city's fault that you can't afford it. Fairfield is very safe and you can do alot of things that you wouldn't be able to do in the big cities of CT. I live in Fairfield and one of the few minorities that live there but you still feel excepted even with the lack of diversity.
Commenting on Charlotte, NC. This city and state are woefully behind in keeping up with the massive growth this area has seen. Wanton development has left this city marred in heavy traffic and a disasterous school system. It is appalling how this city has been managed. Further, the air quality has gotten as bad as Los Angeles. Sad, sad realities.
I live in Honolulu Hawaii and it is sweet all year round; great beaches, weather, outdoor activites, etc. Having been here for 11 years, the growth continues and the H1,2 and 3 are getting crowded. Otherwise ALOHA!
I grew up in Cherry Hill and hated it. Most people who live in NJ can't wait to get out of NJ. It's dirty, expensive, and unattractive. The summers are ungodly due to heat and humidity and there's very little charm to be found in bumper to bumper traffic everywhere you go. I wouldn't go back if you paid me.
I live in Las Cruces, NM and I do not agree with your numbers, at least most of them.
If I could live any place , I would choose Casey, Illinois
Glad you skipped us. North East Tennessee is awesome. We relocated here from CA and love it! The Tri Cities(Johnson City, Kingsport & Bristol)is a great place to live. Low housing prices and great people.
In Idaho I failed to see one of the most beautiful places on your list. My family and I would one day like to move to. Sandpoint, ID 83864. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Whatever you do don't move to Cincinnati. The city has tremendous amounts of blight in the form of vacant buildings. The high tech consists of soap manufacturing and grass cutting. It has one of the highest costs of doing business and the city's old boy network in entrenched.
Notice the crime risk rates for Columbus, Ohio. When I lived there-- as much as I liked it-- I did not know one person who had not personally had a crime happen to them--most had property stolen and/or damaged.
You say the high temperature in Lake Havasu City in July is 107, that's about the high in May or October, July is closer to 116 - 120 or higher, especially this year!
I am from Tacoma WA, and i miss my hometown, and i have lived in Orlando, FL which i miss too, and now i live in Hawaii and it is very different and very expensive, but beautiful
Overland Park, KS is a great hometown/big city mix!!
Glad to be left off the list -- too many people would be drawn to our redwoods, ocean, mountains, and mild temperatures (where it's been a sweltering 80 degrees lately) and then we'd have traffic and it would take us longer than 10 minutes to get places!
Fort Collins, CO voted the best place to live? Sure - as long as you don't ask the people who live here.
We moved to Eden Prairie, MN ten years ago and has been a great place for schools, families, shopping and entertainment. Eagan is just as nice. Frankly, you can't go wrong in the entire State of Minnesota.
New York City is a place like no other with everything just a train ride away. I am proud to be a true New Yorker. It is a whole different world and it's thrilling to be able to be a part of it. Everything is cultured and sophisticated even though it's pricey. There are incredible oppurtunities here for business, education and recreation.
as for the pennsylvania best cities. bethlehem. ewwww!. how about doylestown!!! it rocks. absolutely Beautiful!! alot to do here. excellent blue ribbon school system. low crime. i could go on and on. as for the other cities on the list. bensalem. levitown. cut me a break. have you been to these high crime, congested, bad schools, ugly towns? please visit before you make bad suggestions.
Whoever does these surveys doesn't realize that Hawaii is a state. Who has better weather or recreational activities than Hawaii? Get real.
I have lived in Oregon all my life and i would never live anywhere else! Tigard, Oregon is one of the larger farming communties in the Portland Metro Area, but has wineries and stores all around!
I live in Livermore-it used to be nice here. Now it's just too crowded and our children can't buy their first home here it's too expensive! So they have to move away-that's not good for families. Ever hear of the I-580/Altamont Pass corridor? Why didn't that get mentioned? Don't come here-there is no more room left.
I'm suprised Maine isent on top. Sure, you have to shovel your roof in winter - but Fall and Summer are gloryous, clear skys, good sleeping weather. Winter sports abound for the outdoors type. Just bring your own job.
Of course there are beautiful places in Vermont!! The Islands, especially South Hero, are gorgeous. They are surrounded by Lake Champlain and they are near the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Beautiful lake and mountain views!!
"Best place to live" is where you are known, loved and appreciated for who you are.
Eden Prairie, MN...? It is a quiet and clean town, but it's also very lonely. There is no diversity of any kind, and people drive, drive and drive. If you decide to take a walk, drivers will stare at you like you are not from around. As a transplant it's very difficult to meet people, and to make meaningful friendships, although, at first people are "nice" here...
Cary is a great, safe place to live. I wish it remained a well guarded secret. Articles such as this have made people flock here. Hope is doesn't turn into Atlanta.
I lived in COlorado Springs for 7 years. I should have never moved.I LOVED IT!!! Now I live in Georgia and hate it!!! I long for my life back in the Springs!!!!!
We are retiring to Camp Clark Springs in Bracketville TX. A safe gated community with golf, swimming, horseback riding, etc in a beautiful historic 1800s army base. A bonus--it is the most affordable place we could find. Also it is 30 miles from Lauflin Air force base where we can shop at the PX and get medical care.
Scottsdale is a place for materialictic superficial people. Yes it has many restaurants and bars but, the food is average at best in many of these establishments and is overpriced. All everyone talks about is how big their house is and what they are driving....Hummer, Mercedes, Escalade..etc. If they did not have these things they would not have much to talk about. The homes are poorly constructed, impractical and they all look the same. It is a shame that these insecure people have to own these possessions to feel important and judge others who are not exactly like them. I can't wait to move away from here.
Nothing beats Northern Maine - 35 acres, home and horse barn and track for 285K. Home Security is provided by locals, most reliable.
Gee, thanks for your ever useful survey. Takes a lot of the confusion out of where to live next!!
Hmmmm.... Decisions, decisions... Shall I move to Mesa Arizona or New York City... Hmmmm... I just can't decide. They have so much in common!! But seriously, these kinds of surveys are precisely why Americans and their obsessions with lists drive me crazy. Any list that can equate Mesa (or Wichita, for that matter) with New York really makes me wonder about your methodology. Ridiculous ... simply stupid! Montgomery's real housing prices are higher: homes appreciated 15% last year, driving the average price up to about $135,000. And you cannot find anything decent for that. You have new homes over $210K, and old ones in high crime neighborhoods for $60K. That's how they get the "average" price.
Horsetooth Reservoir is not a "natural" attraction - it is man-made, supplied with water from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and held with four dams!
There is a fatal flaw in your rankings: some of your cities are actually part of a metroplex not discernable from their parent city. For example, Overland Park, Kansas is really Kansas City in terms of how people identify it and where people go when they leave their house. Think of CNN's home city of Atlanta. How many of your fellow workers actually live within the city limits? Very few. And the stats for the city of Atlanta make it sound bad.
Virginia Beach, VA as a best big city? Are you kidding me? That place is perfect for a 15 yr old. Lack of career opportunities, non-existent night life...combine for a horrible place for singles to live. This list is a joke and was obviously not comprised with individuals that actually LIVE in these places.
Regarding the selection of Eagan Minnesota as a best place to live, are you aware the the recent opening of runway 17-35 at the nearby airport has resulted in a constant flow of jet noise over just about all of Eagan? Check it out. Eagan has changed.
Appleton is great, but Neenah, a close neighbor is much better. Small town feel with access to everything that Appleton has to offer.
We have lived in Fort Collins for fourteen years and moved here because it is such a great place to raise a family. We have never been disapointed with our decision.
Its very safe, kids can play outside year-round, there are loads of family-oriented actiivites, neighborhoods are friendly, schools are great, weather is a mild four seasons, restaurants and arts scene are vibrant for a city of this size, the scenery is beautiful, and we are less than an hour from Denver and two hours from the mountains. Finally the cost of living is a bargain compared to other places with similar amenities. The biggest downside to living here is that jobs are not plentiful and usually pay little. Yet, you can buy a very nice house here for $250,000 and taxes are low! It's a trade off. I have relatives that live on the coasts where you need at least a quarter of a million income just to survive and most people work 60+ hours each week. If career fast track and night life are your top priorities, Fort Collins is probably not the place. If you like a balanced lifestyle, outdoor activities and a sense of community, there are few places that top it. I have lived in Colorado Springs for sixteen years, and I can say that its #1 spot on the big cities list is well-deserved. 300 days of sunshine a year, lots of stuff to do both inside and outside, nice people, cheap prices--what more could you want?
I moved to Fort Collins the end of May from southern Oegon because of the active lifestyle, theatre, educational opportunities and glorious sunshine. It is a joy!
I grew up in Sugar Land and first moved there 33 year ago. It was still basically a company town then but has now become major suburbia - what a shame. Even Imperial Sugar Company for which it was named has shut down its refinery there. This is now just another Houston suburb.
I was very happy to see my wonderful city listed. Warren, Mi is a great place to live. The weather is average, the homes are average, but the people are above average. Me and my husband were both raised in Warren and after we married we moved to Utica, then to Shelby Twp, then to Troy. Three years ago we moved back to Warren. I am glad we're home again. I've almost forgotten how friendly and down to earth the people here are. I've thought about having a new city logo called "Warren Friendly".
I completely angered by our ranking surely Short Hills, Wayne or Tom's River should have been listed as tops in NJ.
P.S. Parsippany unfortunately has no more vacancies and will be at maximum capacity for eternity. Davis, California does not belong on the list at all. It seems the town exits simply to take advantage of students attending U.C. Davis. The community drives away developers so housing is overpriced, people have to go out of town to shop and there is very little entertainment
Springfield, GA is the county seat of Effingham County Georgia in one of the 100 fastest growing counties in the nation. We are only thirty minutes from Savannah, winters are mild, low crime, houses are reasonably priced, plenty of room if you like acerage, and excellent schools.
I was quite disappointed to see that under Ohio's list, some of the worst cities in Ohio were listed. I wouldn't call a city great when you are afraid to go for a walk in the middle of the day.
Gosh, have you guys never heard of the South Brunswick Isles or the Crystal Coast in NC?
I think Saratoga, New York should be on the New York list!!!!!
I live in Cherry Hill and I agree that it is a fantastic place to live and grow up. There are many things to do and the proximity to Philadelphia is fantastic (as well as it does not have that Long Island overcrowded feeling).
i hope listing ft collins, longmont and westminster ahead of denver in the CO listing is a JOKE. please be a joke.
Will someone please check out "Baldwin County" in Alabama?
Not only do we have the best new Home prices,we also have the lowest Real Estate taxes. Our County borders the Gulf of Mexico and is still one of the most beautiful to live in.We are on the other side of Mobile Al. and are called the Eastern Shore.Separated by Mobile Bay. "Fairhope" is a Gem. So is Daphne,Spanish Fort,and Foley.All with short driving Distance to the Gulf. Check out "Gulf Shores" and "Orange Beach" Our Beaches have Sugar white Sand and the Water is the Color of Emeralds. We've lived in Ellicott City for 8 years. We love the walking paths in Columbia, the access to the airport (with well-priced fares to many destinations), great opportunities for athletics for our children, and the excellent schools. There is also great access to Baltimore and our nations' capitol. So much to do, so little time!
Longmont Colorado is a very nice place to live. My family moved here about 4 years ago and really enjoy the climate and proximity to entertainment.
Longmont is 30 minutes from Denver, 15 minutes from Boulder, and 45 minutes from Fort Collins. I would consider Longmont to be a wonderful place to raise a family. Home prices are half of the price in Boulder!! While technology jobs dominate the overall job scene, there are a number of other employment opportunities that make the employment base more diersified. Longmont has a number of very community oriented economic development arms that continue to recruit new employment opportunities. If you are looking for a balanced life, Longmont is worth a look!! I have lived in Fort Collins for almost five years. As an artist, I feel it can be a challenging place to find a good creative base and take in culture. There is no commercial contemporary art gallery to be found and very few residents truly understands the signifigance of the FC Museum of Contemporary Art, the only venue exhibiting contemporary art here. Otherwise, it is a pleasant place to live where you can ride a bike, safely, anywhere.
Go Bethlehem !! Way to grow. So much going on here, it's great to see some recognition.
I live in Naperville, and I think that it provides a perfect balance between city life and a laid back lifestyle. THe schools and libraries are great, and the downtown area is beautiful. Naperville's level of perfection is hard to attain, so I really enjoy living there!
Seling homes in Livermore, California is easy. Livermore is home to stellar wineries, beautiful parks, wonderful homes, fantastic schools, strong employment centers and an address for a diverse and highly educated population. I've lived in town since 1967 and find it the perfect setting to raise a family. Growing up it was the perfect place to be a single gal and even before that it was the perfect place to be a child. Tradtions complete with a small town feeling yet close to bigger bay area cities and thrilling destinations--oceans, mountains and lakes!
The key to being a great city is to have lots of open-minded people doing interesting things and a housing market that's affordable so people aren't living to pay their mortgage.
We lived in Silicon Valley for 8 years and unless you and your spouse bring home $250k+ per year, you will live worse than most college students. You will be obsessed with owning a home and considering "creative" mortgage strategies and cutting all non-essential costs (like eating out or taking vacations) to get one. Then you'll be house poor and a slave to your job. I'm hearing the same pattern from friends in places like Boston, Seattle, DC, and Los Angeles thanks to housing prices. Folks, $300 per square foot is high... last time I was in Silicon Valley, the going rate was $600-800/sqft. That is ridiculous. If you live in the Valley or Boston or whatever and you're in your 20's or 30's and don't own a house, heed my advice: MOVE. You should seriously consider moving to Austin, Raleigh, Boulder or somewhere else open-minded and affordable. Your life is worth more than a house in Cupertino! Most of your list of "small cities" are not cities but suburbs of large meto areas.
I would not live in a town that is more than an hour drive to a national sporting event, a university or a large hospital. The towns listed are mostly boring, too hot or cold, and long commutes.
I lived in Colorado Springs (#1 large city)in the 90's, and was very unimpressed. Take away the Rocky Mountains, and you have an ugly, uninteresting city, with a bizarre political landscape, and rampant sprawl.
Unfortunately, I've since moved to a far worse place...Greenville, SC. Can't wait for the day I move back home to rural Pennsylvania. Sorry, I'm not identifying the town. Moved from NYC four yrs ago and lucked out with landing in Naperville. Seems to have everyuthing you need ( top notch school systems, vibrant downtown, etc.). Only negative is traffic is a killer. Xmas time in Naperville ( especially along Rte 59) is A Congestion Fest!
Charlotte, NC is growing and vibrant. It has a beautiful mix of landscape and cityscape. It has some of the kinks of a rapidly growing city: traffic and construction. The city fathers are working hard to keep the growth under control and improve the traffic problems. The growth has brought Charlotte the best shopping in NC along with professional sports (NFL & NBA) and entertainment. The Panthers are being picked by most preseason polls as fovorites to return to the Super Bowl! Charlotte is poised to take it's place as one of America's 1st tier cities.
I have lived in Naperville, IL and Omaha, NE. Naperville is safe, and nice but whenever I go somewhere the crowds really make it unenjoyable. People in Naperville are polite but not as friendly as in Omaha. One thing that surprises me about Naperville is that people rarely do any sports unorganized. People in Omaha were more likely to just play sports with friends and have fun. I agree with an earlier comment about Geneva, Illinois. It still has open spaces and people seem more friendly.
NAPERVILLE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!! I've lived near it my entire life and now I go to school there at North Central College!!
Sugar Land is beautiful...but I think Houston is better. Not downtown for living, but the greater Houston area is nice. I live just 20-30 miles out of Houston, if that, and I can still get to the entertainment and work in Houston easily, without the crime and business. The greater Houston area has smaller citys/towns and countryside. Its quite nice...dont count out Houston because of the crime rate...remember the greater Houston area. Nice places are Tomball, Waller, Cypress, Cyfair and Klein.
How about a ranking of cities that are health-oriented with rank according to:
1. Neighborhoods' walking distances to grocery stores, banks, post office, cleaners, public parks, etc. 2. Availability of health food stores w/ plenty of organic produce 3. Availability of health oriented restaurants 3. Air Quality 4. Water Quality 5. Ease of Recycling 6. Safe parks for walking, cycling, etc. 7. Community Centers with gym, tennis courts, swimming pools, and activities for teens and kids 8. Crime watch and very good court system 10. Excellent health care w/ prevention and wellness programs 11. Schools that have healthy snacks and lunches and plenty of sports and physical/health education Coral Springs is awesome. Although housing prices listed in the article are long gone since the boom in the last two years.
what about the rankings of 100 cities or MSA of over 1 million? I see the top 10 but seems like a ranking of America's largest cities would be more important than towns of less than 300,000?
Fort Collins is a horrible place to live. Too many people moving here because of this article.
Just kidding its a great place! Hi My girlfriend and I are thinking about relocating to Naperville for the sake of providing our children with a quality public school education. Does Naperville have mixed community culture?
Listing only Anchorage for Alaska is doing a great disservice to your readers. Anchorage is "Any City, USA" - with high crime, lousy high schools, and overly expensive housing in old, ugly neighborhoods full of druggies. Traffic is a new problem, as is air quality. The city does offer excellent healthcare since it is often the final destination for trauma cases and it's also where everyone in Alaska goes for specialty medical services. Public transportation is not available at night or on weekends and cabs are quite expensive. Anchorage is very crowded and becoming more so since it is sitting in a small bowl-shaped slice of land, with water on two sides, high mountains and State parklands on the other sides - there isn't any land for new developments. One of the 'bridges to nowhere' actually would've opened up the city to the MatSu Valley - that bridge will HAVE to be built one day but the one proposed for Ketchikan was pure shenanigans. Anchorage's weather is different than any other town in the state, too - damp and cold, nearly year round. Although Fairbanks migh be cold in winter, it's extremely dry (and its summers are hot!).
This article needs to include the cities of Wasilla, Palmer, Kenai, Soldotna, Homer, Seward, Ketchikan, Juneau and yes, even Fairbanks! Anchorage is NOT the best place to live in this state. In fact, anyplace on the entire Kenai Peninsula is hot, hot, hot right now. Selling prices have soared, however, and the property taxes are outrageous to the old-timers but look good to newcomers. I'm an anthropologist and I've lived all over this state for 20-plus years. By local opinions, Anchorage is considered the place to go shopping, to start college, and to MAYBE find some work but it's certainly no dream city! And very very FEW consider it any kind of final living destination. I grew up in the suburbs of Denver and lived in Colorado Springs from 90 - 91 and was not impressed - terrible economy, a political and cultural environment disproportionately dominated by the military and the religious right. I moved back last year for my wife (who I met online), and it seems like a different city: an endurance athlete's Mecca with incomparable weather, healthy eating options, a vibrant economy, friendly folks, a quaint but happening downtown, a great little zoo - the list goes on. The military and religious right are still here (which is fine), but now the city is more diverse. And if I didn't live here, I'd live in Fort Collins. But I do wonder why Albuquerque doesn't figure on these lists. That's a nice city, too.
Columbia is nice but overpriced just like all of Maryland. If you have a job that pays over 100 grand a year and like sitting in traffic, then Maryland is for you!!
I work in Norman..it's a nice college town, great university, growing community, recent announement to start designing MG automobiles. I drive through Oklahoma City every week (Edmond is close), spend time in Broken Arrow. How did Tulsa not make the top 100. Tulsa just blows these places off the map. I think you folks need to reevaluate the criteria. Tulsa, let's see home to 4 Universities, Quik Trip, WinnerComm, Williams, large prescence with American Airlines, and many, many energy companies and telecom, with a state of the art downtown arena designed by Ceasar Pelli. There are 5 decent lakes nearby and Grand hosts people from throughout the southwest. Omaha over Tulsa..hahahahaha.
You guys blew it. I live in Madison, IN and it is within 1 to 1 1/2 hour drive from Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH and Indianapolis, IN so we have country living with accessability to arts, sports and shopping.
i love gilbert i moved here 7 years
ago from chandler az, chandler is very nice too, not a big fan of mesa but alot of people are considering how much it's grown. you can't really go wrong anywhere in the southeast valley of maricopa. Lake Oswego, Oregon, although a pricey area to live, is indeed the cleanest, most friendly place to live. Not only is the population less than 45,000, the location is outstanding. A few minutes from Downtown Portland (20 minutes from Portland International), 2 hours to the Oregon Coast, and if needed, 3 hours from Seattle.
Kind, educated people live in this area. The average price of a home is a lean $300K, but with quality education and decent people, Lake Oswego is truly the best place to live in North America. It's too bad my home town of Fort Collins has been rated #1. Now it will become worse off with even more and more people moving here and trying to find their paradise.
San Diego is listed as number 5 out of 10 for best big cities. I grew up here and for the most part love living here except that I can't afford it. A combined income of over 1 1/2 times the median income won't get your foot in the door of a home. Rents easily eat up a 1/3 to 1/2 of your income too. San Diego is a low wage, high cost place to live. If you are considering San Diego as a best place to live, I hope you love sunshine because you probably won't be able to afford a roof over your head.
Randolph, NJ is a place for materialictic superficial people. Taxes are through the roof and the town has nothing to show for it! It has no decent restaurants, the food is average at best in many of the establishments and is overpriced. All everyone talks about is how big their house is and what they are driving....Hummer, Mercedes, Escalade..etc. If they did not have these things they would not have much to talk about. The homes are poorly constructed, impractical and they all look the same. It is a shame that these insecure people have to own these possessions to feel important and judge others who are not exactly like them. I can't wait to move away from here!
LOVE Edmond, Oklahoma.. Should have been number one on the list.. We have lived in many places around the country. People are nice and open minded. Home prices are LOW. Quality of life is great. Children are safe. Schools are great. The most family friendly place ever. No wonder a lot of people are moving in and building like crazy...
Eagan is basically dull freeway suburbia, unless you happen to be an elderly homeowner -- if your, rest assured that the city will casually displace you via eminant domain for light industrial development. Too bad for you.
I moved here 6 years ago and Love Sugar Land.At first there wasn't much besides the mall and a few places to eat, but it has grown into a beautiful place to live with great schools and low crime.
I can't believe that Naperville is number 2! The traffic congestion there is unbelieveable! Also, the number of housing developments that are not linked together, so one must use their car constantly is also really unfortunate. It is strip shopping mall after strip shopping mall. Naperville, in my opinion is just an average North American suburb. Nothing more.
Much of the information for Louisville, KY is wrong including the population, avg. price of home, income level, etc. Seems very stale. The City and County merged in 2002 which has changed the size and dynamics of the City and Region entirely. I think a recount is required. The parks system and architecture in Louisville is among the best in the City.
Chicago is absolutely the most exciting, beautiful, cultural and fun major city period. Sit on Oak Street or any of our beaches, play volleyball, sunbathe, fish, boat, play golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, enjoy Theatre at the Lake and love the sunshine. Take time to enjoy our exceptional "non-chain" restaurants from Le Bouchon to Four Farthings. Nightlife is extraordinary from Second City Theatre to the renowned Steppenwolf and the Goodman. And there's Lincoln Avenue and Rush Street too. Shop? Try countless centres from Water Tower to Armitage Avenue. All in all...Chicago is THE BEST MAJOR CITY in America.
As for a Maryland location Rockville is more desirable than Columbia, excepting that housing is cheaper in Columbia. Rickville is more upscale, some areas are "villagy". Rockville is far closer to DC for useum, dining, theatre hopping.
SAN DIEGO! yeah it has extremely high housing prices, the nations highest gas prices, and high energy prices. But the weather is amazing. No rain, not too hot or too cold. Pretty much 70-80 year round, and plenty of sunshine. I don't have an air conditioner and never use my heater. It's probably has some of best scenery of any urban area in the nation. Everything is pretty close; Mexico is is basically a suburb of SD, Vegas in 4.5 hours, Santa Barabara 4 hours, Hollywood and Downtown LA 2 hours, Orange County 45 minutes, the desert 1.5 hours, the mountains, 1 hour. You don't even need to leave SD with all the nightlife downtown and in Pacific Beach. If you like being outdoors then San Diego is the place.
Housing in Minnesotta is way over priced...Insurance is sky high...Inter belt way high ways are a joke...Taxes will break you and how did Eagan and Eden Prairie wind up on this list?
I've lived up and down the west coast. Scottsdale Arizona is definately the best overall spot. The NW is too wet, the coastal cities are too expensive. The weather is Arizona is perfect for eight months out of the year and you spent the summer on your boat in in the pool. You can be to San Diego, LA, Vegas, Mexico, or Northern Arizona in five hours or less by car. The nightlife and restaurants are as good as any larger city. Parks and rec is outstanding . Homes are relatively cheap. There are some LA "wanna be's" but they are avoidable.
Naperville is a very diverse culture where children grow up learning and exploring worldwide amenities without leaving the comfort of home. Naperville still feels like the farm town that it once was. Naperville offers many sites and activities year round from sledding and sleigh rides (in Naper Settlement), to summertime musical performances by the Naperville Community Band and block parties by the different and diverse subdivisions. We have 2 major parties that happen, Ribfest in July and The Last Fling, over Labor Day weekend. Gardens, both private and public, abound with the fruits of our labors. Parades are abundant including the 175th anniversary of the founding of our fine municipality (this year). Both school districts are rated near the top in the nation. From soccer, baseball, and football, to LaCrosse, swimming, and wrestling, the sports programs within the schools and the programs and clubs outside school, are very competitive and rewarding.
EL PASO, TX is absolutely the worst place I have ever lived. It is nothing like the rest of TX, and is a financial burden to TX and the US. It is overcrowded and dirty!
I would like to say that the Big Island of Hawaii is the best place to live in the world. We sit on the slopes of Mauna Kea the beautiful white mountain which centers in the natural pyramid of the five mountains. We live ripe and full in the presence of "Pele" the Volcano Goddess who is constantly birthing her knowing and renewing her connection to the land. Hawaii is rich in culture, with powerful magic born of Ancient practices which center on alignment of the human heart and spirit. We have the best climate, most wonderful views and the essential and very rare "spirit of place" found in so few locations of this planet we share. We live in constant "aloha"
love of the land and people, we share the burdens and pleasures and unlike anywhere i have ever known or heard of we are bound by the land and its history and "mana" or "power". There is great spirit here that you are able to feel, sense, and "know" when you step off the plane and into this wonderful "Aina" or Land of Hawaii... I invite you to join us for a stay. Mahalo, Kim Rodrigues the locations are the best place to live if you are white with kids and live a middle t upper middle class, mostly conservative and reserved existence.
But what if your interests or definition "quality of life" are different. I live in Brooklyn, NY because there is a ense population of brilliant artists that feed me as an artist. I love the hum and activity of the city. I also feel that diversity equals safety. I feel less safe when a neighborhood is only one kind of people. Not to mention being a gay woman in any one of these location will mostlikely compromise my freedom of being. But maybe this poll doesn't take folks like me into account. whatever. New York City is the not perfect but is real like no other place on earth. You leave out the cities less than 40,000 population. Fillmore, Ca. was declared the "Last Best Small Town in the West" by Sunset Mag. By you should look at the small cities around the top 10 list. Quality of life is much higher in the surrounding small towns
I lived in Ft. Collins while I went to school, and agree it's one of the best places ever! Crime is non-existent, and I could sleep with the windows open at night there. Plus, it's gorgeous and open, without being in the middle of nowhere. A nice happy medium for people that like to live in "civilized" cities.
The mountains, the education, the Most High, what more can we say. We love living in Fort Collins. Hopefully now that we live in the #1 city, our family and friends will move here.
I live in Australia, and want to move to the states, so where should I live???
You will hate it here, too many people with too much money and no common sense moving here. Please stay away.
I grew up in Eden Prairie and now live in Overland Park. Both are great!
For Baby Boomers who want to maximize their spending power, moving 100 to 200 miles outside the big cities where they may have worked and raised kids can be a good idea. As you travel south, and particularly southwest down I-81, from Washington, DC, you run into charming small towns with log, victorian, brick and frame farm houses for sale that you could never find on the internet or a real estate website - the local realtors just don't use the technology. So these incredible "buys" always go to local folks, who are always waiting for good deals. Check out Clifton Forge, Va., a town on the tipping point of gentrification, sitting right between the famous Homestead Resort (30 min), the opulent Greenbriar Resort (30 min) and horse country in Lexington, Va- home of VMI and Washington and Lee. On McCormick Blvd, the best street in town, a charming Victorian "painted lady" just sold for under 65k. Huge Victorians and smaller cottages go for way under 100K. Georgian mansions sell for 200-300k. And you can get fixer-uppers for less than 10K! A local just bought a great place at auction for $2,500. Similar treasures abound in nearby Salem, Goshen, Iron Forge (around the com Clifton Forge, Long Furnace and nearby Lewisburg, WV - an incredibly charming town dotted with 4 star restaurants, patio dining, chic shops and a medical school. The views are unbelievable, the weather is wonderful, Roanoke (40 min) has all the gourmet grocery stores and wine shops you could need (Clifton also has a gourmet wine shop/bistro & an Italian restaurant imported straight off of Mulberry Street), and if you get here fast, the bargains are waiting. (Clifton Forge also has a train - Amtrak - that runs to DC and up and down the coast). So the next time you drive south from DC, pass Harrisburg and Staunton, and check out the small towns on either side of I-81 between Lexington, Va. and the Tennessee border. Virginia real estate is soaring, and thesese little towns are surrounded by million dollar estates and developments.
Wesley Chapel, Florida is a beautiful area to live in. It is situated in the suburbs of Tampa, in south central Pasco. The area has a wonderfull mix of communities largely young working families. It has very low crime compared to surrounding areas due to very active police, security and neighborhood watches. Although we have a large amount of restaurants for our population, it is projected to grow and many more businesses and a large mall are coming soon.
Wesley Chapel Fl made the 2005 best places to live but dropped off the 2006 list. Wesley Chapel grew up really fast from very rural Pasco pastures. Unfortunatly, many are of the opinion Pasco's current Board of county commisioners and county administrators are not able to harmonize the needs of the communities with growth. The local news and several websites have carried articles of high-traffic roads being designed to go through the middle of small developments instead of around them creating great hazards for the inhabitents of that community. The local communities have voiced their opinions in vain to the commisioners and administrators. It is important to know the political leanings of the locations. You could find yourself with some very incompatible neighbors. How could the voting records be included in the stats?
I think the research department should double check their facts. I currently live in South Florida and the average price of a home in Coral Springs is well over the $300,000 mark. The only thing you "May" be able to find in the 200's is a condo. This makes me want to reconsider the information given about other locations.
I agonized one year over where to retire. Did my homework too. Coming from Southern California and living there almost all my working life, I decided that metro LA was not for me any more. I looked at "future potential" and decided that South Carolina is going to "boom" just like I experienced in California during the 40 years I lived there. SC is fabulous in all ways: great 4 season climate for the metro Charlotte area, (Fort Mill is 21 miles South) over 2 million folks in the metro area and major tax breaks for retirees like me in SC. This state is a diamond in the rough that is going to be cut and polished to perfection within the next 20 years. "Yowsa" South Carolina is the place to retire to.
After seeing Rockville, MD as #26, I'd like to make some comments on the city after living there 21 years. Overall, Rockville is a nice suburban city of Washington, DC. Rockville Pike has about every restaurant and shopping mall imaginable. It is also close to downtown Bethesda, which is very nice. Downtown DC is about 30 minutes away, and Baltimore is about 50 minutes away. Schools are good, crime is low. However, the housing prices are downright ludicrious. An average 3 bedroom house in an average neighborhood costs a good $500,000. Traffic is also terrible, pretty much wherever you go. Even so, living in Rockville is overall great. It is incredibly convenient to everything you could ever want or need, and it is great for jobs, schools and low crime. Rockville is nice, but you'll sure pay for it.
All I have to say is that more people are moving to Florida every year than any other state in the union. There is no state income tax and the weather beats everyone of your top ten cities averages. The lack of Florida cities on your top 100 list is rediculous but not surprising. I would imagine that all this list does is help to bolster the economies and "move to" rate of the cities chosen. Something we in Florida seem to be able to do on our own. Wake up and smell the sunshine and OJ - Oh yeah, you guys don't have it year round like we do. Bummer! : )
Fort Collins has many things going for it, but It doesn't produce the quantity or diversity of jobs they way a larger city does. If you are able to land a job in your profession of choice, it is a great place to live. For those outside of Colorado contemplating a move, I'd suggest trying the Denver suburbs first. Jobs will be easier to find and several of Denver's suburbs are great places to live. Thoughts from someone who's lived in Colorado since 1973.
I thought a small city would have under 50,000. Can anyone tell me where to find a good way of picking a smaller city then those listed on this site?
Joke! Cranston and Warwick RI? Live in Cranston and work in Warwick and want to leave this runt of a state behind!
I think anywhere within 50 miles of London England is the best place to be. The countryside is superb. There is good public transport (though not as good as Germany). We get lots of rain and recently the summers have been hot 30C plus. It's relatively safe.There are good aiports and lots of cheap flights to most places in Europe. Plus the real winner is the number of good dormitory towns that are just plain gorgeous. Americans ...
see Berkhamstead, Chesham, Amersham, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Henley, Esher to name just a few... there are plenty more. Oh and if you really want to see what money is all about, do a search on Windlesham and the �70m house(yup, it's on the market for 70 million quid) refurbished by the al Mahktoums... Eat your hearts out.......you can keep the USA......... Scottsdale AZ? What a joke. You need a hefty income, a Hummer, and a snobbish attitude to be happy there. Plus, you can't go outside for 6 months cause you will sweat to death.
I moved to Fort Collins from New Britain, CT in 1998, and it has been the best decision I have made in my life.
there is one thing nobody talks about in florida's continual growth -- the water. in the floridan acquifer there is only enough water to support so many people -- in volusia county's sole-source acquifer the number is 750,000, and we have scheduled development over the decade of 2001-10 for about a quarter million more than that. What do we do when the fresh-water springs become salt water? betcha those desalinazation plants will get expensive, won't they?
By looking at the stats, it doesn't make Austin sound as alluring as it really is. But maybe that's okay. I went to school there in the 70s and when I went back a few years ago, it was like a different city. I guess others found out the secret! Austin really doesn't need to get any bigger. It's a great city at the size that it is today. So keep those stats the way they are-kind of misleading, not that attractive and maybe it will keep people from moving there! Seriously, I'm from the "north" and presently live in Chicago (YUCK), but plan to move back to Austin in the future. Once Austin is in your blood, it's there forever. Austin is an amazing city that offers something for everyone. Anyone who complains about Austin should try living in the north for just one winter. I'll take Austin's summers over one of Chicago's "mild" winters any day.
Hi,
One of the things I would like to see in a livable city is Diversity. Can I have that, low crime, and high income. My husband and I are an interracial couple, we are educated, fit and make a decent living. Could you do a survey about diverse place to live. We're currently looking for a new town and that would help. Thanks! Rochester New York is a great place to live! It has very high taxes (sales tax included). Very high gas and electric rates. Very high amounts of snow fall in the winter...and very low temperatures. Very short summers. Many days with gray skies. And many taxpayer funded projects like the Fast Ferry that never make it.
Please, Please, do not combine Ellicott City and Columbia. We are as different as day and night, conservative and liberal or windows and mac. you do both areas an injustice. There is very little in common, super urban and suburban/rural
Lived in Lakeway on Lake Travis, which is now part of Austin, Texas from 1990 to 2001. Great then, not so great now, due to the uncontrolled growth. Moved the Woodland Park, CO. just up the mountain from Colorado Springs. Great area, but now looking to move to where we are drawn to every summer...Montrose, Telluride, Ridgeway, Ouray Colorado. Montrose is the largest city of 14000. It's not on your radar...yet. Hope you keep it that way. You guys are always one step behind me.
We are a british family of 4 hoping to relocate to Fort Collins in the next few years. I am a high school teacher and my husband a civil engineer. What companies/schools are best to apply t for jobs and what school disctrict should we be livign in. We woudl like to livign in an area where there is a good, safe community.
Your "best places to live" list is a curious collection. First, many of the top ranked cities are merely parts of much larger metro areas that don't enjoy such lofty rankings. Is one to assume those in these "best" cities never have to interact with their "worst" metros? Secondly, what defines a "best" depends on the interests and priorities of the person. E.g. those who enjoy the outdoors and lack of congestion would hate the larger cities; and those who enjoy the cosmopolitan life would hate many of the listed cities. Perhaps various lists rather than one is needed: rankings of best mountain areas, best seaside areas, best interior areas, best hot/cold areas, etc. There is no single "best" place for everyone. I live in an area not included in the top 100 but it ranks in the top 5 for me because it has everything I desire--clear water streams/large lakes, hills, forests, universities, medical, varied and moderate climate, minor league sports, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, major entertainment center, beautiful and growing central city, manageable congestion, mid-size metro, and friendly folks. I won't name the area because sufficient numbers have already discovered its "best" features.
Do you have something against the state of Georgia????
We've been all over this great country and without a doubt, SEATTLE wins hands down!! especially east of beautiful Lake Washington in the towns of Bellevue with its shiny new office and condo towers as well as supreme shopping, Kirkland with its most lovely waterfront and trails as well as top-notch restaurants and fine art, Redmond with great shopping, nature trails and Microsoft and Woodinville with all the great wineries and beautiful scenery!!! The surrounding Olympic & Cascade Mountains are a short drive away. Our favorite pastime is riding the ferry. What Heaven!! Boating, jet-skiing, kyacking all in the backyard!! Lake Washington, Lake Sammammish, Lake Union, Green Lake,etc a paradise! Seahawks-Sonics-Mariners are World Class stadiums!! Clean clean clean everywhere! Downtown Seattle the finest world class city!!! Many events thruout area. No more lovely islands than the ultimate San Juan Islands A True true paradise on earth!!! Just a couple hours drive to one of the finest cities on the face of the earth-Vancouver BC. and not forgotten-SEATTLE DOES HAVE THE WEST COAST'S BEST RESTAURANTS, SHOPS & HOTELS!!!! Sure -it does cost a bundle to live here but there is absolutely no place like Puget Sound!! See the Orca whales, the American eagles--this is their home! Hike, Bike, Kyack!! No place anywhere as beautiful as the Seattle-Vancouver area! Mild climate & The nicest people, the finest education and the cleanest air!!! If it wasn't so cold in the long winters we would also select Camden and the coast of beautiful Maine as a top choice in USA as well. Great place to visit-in fact one of the nicest anywhere is Maine! SO ENJOY AMERICA MY FRIENDS.WE ARE ALL SO LUCKY WHEREVER WE LIVE HERE! God Bless Everybody.
Why is the smallest city over 50,000 people. Cities are generally crowded, noisy, hectic. I live in a town of about 3000 people on the coast of Maine. There's a good hospital just 10 minutes away, numerous speacialty shops and restaurants. A traffic jam is 4 cars in front of me, all traveling at the speed limit. Best of all is that I live all year long in a place that people try to visit year in and year out because of its beauty.
I am from Michigan, and you guys really missed out on the places there. All of the places you listed where suburbs of Detroit. There is a lot more to Michigan - such as awesome places in the Northern part of the lower peninsula. Traverse City?
My husband and I moved from Los Angeles to Colorado Springs 10 years ago. We realy think we made the best move. This is the #1 BEST place to live! We will be retire here too.
I grew up in Ft. Collins, and left in the mid 90's. I always thought Ft. Collins would be nice if you had the following 3 basic things - 1. A happy marriage. 2. A good paying, stable job. 3. Enough income to afford a house. If you do not have these things (and would like them), good luck in trying to acquire them here. Dating was very sparse. Stable, well-paying jobs were even more sparse. Housing, while cheap compared to other locations, is still relatively expensive for the locals. I really don't understand why this city won. I couldn't wait to leave and am much happier elsewhere.
Many of your readers wondered where their towns were...
It seems that "quaint, beautiful" towns with "great views", where it's "clean" and the people are "lovely" etc, might have gotten slighted because of their distance from larger cities which would have kept them from having more entertainment, culture, and/or job opportunities. I guess if you can't support yourself and you often find yourself bored with nothing to entertain yourself with in town, then it's not a really great place to live. p.s. my town was rated 28 out of 100, and though I love the plethora of things to do around here, I think it's overpopulated; traffic is often ridiculous and the noise resulting from trucks and planes can be annoying. The city of San Franciso is for a specific kind of person. But if you fit the type, there is no other place in the country like it. If you enjoy social drinking, own a dog, or hate the Dodgers, this is your place. If you are into the arts, love a good cup of coffee, or care for your health, this is your place. If you enjoy meeting people, can park a car with 4 inches of space left, and want the flavors of the world in one city, this is your place. And finally, if you love yourself a great book, enjoy belonging a plethora of clubs, or you can simply get along with a wide array of people(because you WILL meet them), this is your place. However, this is not your place for warm weather.
I agree that Edison NJ has a lot going for it-- but the trafic and home prices can be daunting. A new 4bed 2.5 bath will set you back over a million, and that's with 1/3 of an acre. We like living here (esp since we bought years ago when it was still relatively cheap) but will probably not be able to afford to retire here comfortably.
I don't know why Cary and Raleigh, NC keep getting put on these lists. I've been to a lot of places and unfortunately lived in Raleigh for about 5 years. It is so spread out, traffic is horrible because they can't get it together, and it's basically a haven for 40-something yuppies. On the plus side there are lots of jobs, and great universities nearby. It's just that the two places themselves are really boring.
I have lived in Henderson Nevada for six years,I am from Chicago originally {YUCK} WINTERS Are long!! In Henderson they have great dining,golf,the weather is great eight months out of the year and the remaining four months you stay near the pool or one of the fine eating and drinking establashments in the neighborhood
I have to admit living in Overland Park spoils you a little bit. The school system, the roads, things to do, etc. I grew up here and plan to continue to live here for quite awhile.
Delaware is a great place to live, but is becoming very overcrowed very quickly. The traffic is becoming very terrible. The state is currently trying to overcome the crowing in all the schools.
What an honor to be voted #1 by Money magazine! I grew up in Fort Collins.I have watched it grow and become the greatest place to live. I was worried as it grew it would become like other places I have been,crime ridden and ugly. The 43 years I have been here have been wonderful! When I tell people what it use to look like when I was young, the are surprised. I can remember when there was nothing south of Drake Rd. My father was born here also, and he can tell you lots of stories! My husband grew up here also, and we have no intention of ever leaving.
I don't know where you get your info, but Sunrise Manor, Nevada is not a city in Nevada.It is a township. Although it is located almost in the heart of the city of Las Vegas, just 2 miles from the downtown casinos we are in the county and not part of the city.
It is a little confusing even for the ones that live here. As far as Sunrise Manor being one of the best places to live that is a joke. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in town and it is really considered the slums by some. As far as the crime rate, maybe it is low becuase there is not much here to rob or steal and it is in the area that is controlled by the 28th Street Gang. I have lived here all my life and have just sold my house to relocate somewhere out-of-state. That's why I was checking out the best places to live and found this. I don't think I will be checking this site for anymore info. Like I asked, where do you get your info? Phoenix Az.is truly A outstanding place to live and raise a family. there are A ample amount of jobs and if you here we have hot summers we do..But we also have 9 months of perfect weather.If you want season well then take a day trip north where you can be in the snow in about a hour.
A "Lifer" in Ellicott City Howard County. Would not pick any place else. Great benefits of plenty of jobs within commuting distance of 1 hr., top notch schools, suburban life & entertainment, all between two great cities each offering distinct things to do...close to the ocean & mountains. So put up with the higher housing costs and some traffic congestion...HON, it's worth it...Believe!
Skinniest? Are you kidding me? I can't believe that "skinniest" is a category here, yet the diversity of the city/town is completely ignored. Why not include a category of "Most Breast Implants"? Only in America would one judge their potential neighbors by their body mass index.
Just goes to show that one gets the answers they want by asking the right questions. I've been to many of the 100 - about half of them have no business on anyone's top list. I don't know anyone who would choose NJ over WA or MN over GA were it not for family connections. My 1,2,3 are Fairhope, AL; Vestavia Hills, AL; and Lagrange, GA. If I expand my list to 5, I would add Sioux Falls, SD (on your list) and Troy/Albany, NY (not on your list).
A few comments: Columbia, MD is nice but Rockville or Bethesda, MD are much better- if you can afford the prices. And how did Bethlehem, PA make the list?? It's a crappy area outside even crappier Allentown.
My husband and I are at the stage in our lives where we want out of the cold weather. We've looked at Florida but property taxes, property insurance and the summer huricane season has made us think twice about that move. Next we looked at New Mexicao as our retirement We've been told you will still have all four seasons but the winters would be nothing compared to Minnesota. So most important to us would be real estate prices and the tax base as well as lack of stress.
Pat We moved here two years ago from Los Angeles. The cold weather took a little getting used to, but it's a great place to raise kids. Employment can be a problem, however; my husband was making $26 per hour in Los Angeles and is now making $17. He also had a hard time finding the $17 per hour job and had to work at Home Depot for a few months prior. He was just "forced" to find yet another job because of pending layoffs; his new job pays $16 per hour. Must say, I still love Fort Collins, but he may have to choose another field in order to stay employed here.
What about Woodstock, GA?!
That place is cute as the dickens and the weather is lovely. I love Colorado Springs, there is so much to do there, and so much to see. I live in Clarksville,Tn at this moment but plan in the future to move back home. Beautiful Mountains, beautiful weather, beautiful people.
The rain here stinks. The rain literally smells, in a bad way. We moved to Bellevue, WA one year ago from California. I expected a lot of rain, I didn't consider it would smell so badly. The roads and drivers are horrible. The produce is second rate. Homes are unbelievably expensive, and ugly to boot. The local architects are fasinated with split entries; classic "Northwest Contemporary" designs are not pretty. However, the local folk are really friendly, it seems to be a safe city, with some very beautiful views. And there are a lot of outdoor activities to keep you busy.
Edison,New Jersey probably has the lowest crime rate and that is why it is # 1.
As proud as I am to have grown up in the midwest (all around Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky), I now live in Orange County, CA. There are tons of places where air is clean (coastal breezes), traffic is average, people are friendly, there is always something to do, people are college educated, and standard of living is high but not unattainable. Job market is great too! Just wish we could have made a showing on the list!
And it's not what you see on TV. I only make $42k a year and comfortably support myself and own a condo blocks from the ocean! Hello!
I wanted to draw your attention to a glaring omission on the stats. Under the education category, they list "0" Junior Colleges. This is incorrect. Wharton County Junior College has had a campus in Sugar Land for 16 years! We currently have 2066 students registered for the Fall 2006 semester. The college works very closely with the University of Houston Sugar Land Systems to offer a seamless transition for students who wish to continue their degree there. Our students also successfully transfer to any other 4 year institution. Just thought I'd pass this along. What do people have against the entire state of Delaware? No sales tax - very low property taxes - great beaches?
Bless Money Magazine for providing the metrics to good family decisions. While I live in what is a very beautiful, prosperous area and have earned what appears to be a high income there have definitely been some trade offs. Trade offs like long hours driven by expensive housing and being able be spend time with children. Not to mention the financial challenges of having a stay at home spouse. Weight all this in the balance before you accept jobs and transfers to the San Francisco Bay Area.
I am glad to see that Aurora, IL is in the fifty-fifth place. It is a great town to live. My family has been lived in here for 12 years now. It is a strong slash on the faces of those with bad perception for Aurora in the Chicagoland area. Go, Aurora!
If you haven't visited, it's your loss. If you really want some of the most perfect weather, amazing scenery and best things to do, check out Bend, Oregon. Read all you want about the city, but you are a fool unless you at least visit.
yanceyville, n.c., where many of the creeks are still potable...a spoken drawl is expected but not required...if you're going out of town the deputies will drive by your house...the churches still make and sell Brunswick Stew...where you better expect the townfolks to help you when you're in trouble (no recluses need apply to live here)and there are NO gated communities! Schools ain't bad (at least Duke, UNC and the Naval Academy think that). Or, as my late Mama from Yanceyville used to say..."you're no better than anyone else and no one else is any better than you are". That kinda sums up Yanceyville.
I grew up in Eden Prairie (I am now 40 years old) It is nice town/city yet, it has never had a Mainstreet feel but it is clean and has a nice natural (woods/scenery) evironment. It is away from the Twin Cities but not too far to travel for business. It needs more years to develop its character "feel"... heart?
David Hobson, *Edina, MN (7 Miles from EP) Sugar Land is nice, but The Woodlands on the north side of Houston has a much prettier landscape. The pine forests beat the coastal plains. Either town offers the best of Houston living.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, lived there for over 30 years before moving away.
Yes, The scenery is beautiful and it's a pretty place to live. Especially if you don't mind lots of serious crime and a lot of graffiti. The school are also very over crowded. But as I said the mountains are beautiful and only minutes away from anywhere in town. Don't be fooled, Overland Park = suburbia hell.
Why are all the Colorado cities on your state list from the front range? The western slope of the Rockies has a few true jewels in the way of affordable, safe and vibrant cities such as Durango, Montrose and Grand Junction.
Overland Park, KS may be in the top 10 places to live...but it also has a hidden poverty issues. This is a very wealthy city however...many people are living below poverty level. They are our hidden citizens that need attention. Thank you.
El Paso is a wonderful place to live. The people are friendly and laid back. The weather is wonderful. The mountains are beautiful. We�re a good size city with a small town feel. El Paso is nothing like the rest of Texas�but that is what makes Texas a great state.
I am really really surprised to see that Edison is on the top list. My husband and I moved to Edison few years ago and started new family. Now we feel like we made the right choice. I am going to spread this news to everyone.
I have the unique position of having lived both in Sugarland, Texas, and Columbia, Maryland, two of the cities on the list. Both were actually very similar, being planned communities, with many deed restrictions. I loved both cities, but only one BIG problem in Sugarland and the surrounding areas. CRIME!! Many home invasions and robberies at night in peoples driveways in the poorer and sometimes richer areas of the city. There is a real crime problem there, due to its vicinity to the big city of Houston. That was the only thing that I didnt like about Sugarland. It is a very beautiful city.
Chicago is like NYC but cleaner and better Pizza. You have diversity, lake front and parks, culture, sports, schools, jobs, and a pulse- not like a suburb of strip malls and golf courses.
Although growing up in Fairfield Ct years earlier it was not as terribly crowded and the cost of living was reasonable. I now live near Ft. Collins Co.and though being a college town it has many different activities for people of all ages. Having l;ived in many cities and states this city is one of the most enjoyable.
RE: Skinniest....They definitely should have called it fittest or something. BMI doesn't perfectly measure skinniness or fitness anyway, granted.
I definitely thought it was interesting though. Having travelled the country many times as a musician, I definitely see some anecdotal correlation between regional diets and regional average BMI...a culture of exercise, rejection of fast food, support for slow and locally grown foods, and political persuasion in general are also correlatives. Heh. I was quite surprized to see Fort Collins named top place to live when availability of employment was part of the criteria. For the past 20 years or more, the vast majority of jobs available there are at the low end of the income scale and "underemployment" is the norm. When I moved here 21 years ago, the motto was "if you don't have a job already, don't come here." I'd say that's still the case. Layoffs from major tech industries here are rampant. Those beautiful parks and recreational amenities exist, but were built without foresight to the cost of maintaining them. Now the City government is millions of dollars in the hole and slashing jobs and services in a big way. Those amenities now are either being closed or open for much shorter hours and higher fees. Fort Collins is losing businesses and residents due to lack of planning and foresight by both the business leaders and City government. Ask a former employee of any of the downsized or closed major employers once there and they'll tell you it's not the best place to live.
Louisville is a nice (friendly) city to raise a family- discounting the public school system. The public school system is a disaster to say the least. Your annual budget will need to include private school tuition (none voucher state). This can be a challenge because job opportunities, on a national average, offer low pay.
The average home prices listed is very low to reality. However, a low six figure job allows for a very nice standard of living. Louisvlle with an MSA population of 1.1 milliion (2004), offers a good amount of activities and culture. College sports only- NO professional sports! You'll need to look to Indy, Cincy or Nashville (no real teams to get excited about). Louisvlle is an outcast with the rest of the state and will never be represented well with state politics. Like state politics, the local (city) leadership is challenged by disorganization and indecission. The city seems to struggle with where it wants go (growth). Infrastructure (highway/ road system) is still mediocre- with only two inbound/ outbound lanes for two main arteries (64 & 71) serving the city from the East side. Overall Louisville is a very average city with its share of positive and negative attributes (like almost anywhere), but it "misses" some important necessities for many (including me). It has a large "town" feel and there are several nice suburbs available. There is a focused rebuilding of downtown living now being offered. I have lived in Louisville over 30 years. We moved to Phoenix,Arizona approximately 15 years ago. We gave it a good try 5 years and moved back east to New York state. The first year we we there,having arrived in early April it was 105 degrees and was still over 100+ until the end of November!I really do love and appreciate New York.
Hot weather, low paying jobs, overcrowding, lack of culture, overpriced housing, abundance of drug induced crime and "small town charm" are all things you can look forward to when moving to "wonderful" Yuma Arizona. If your a retiree this place isn't that bad, just don't expect a warm welcome. On the flip side if a young person just starting out the sky's the limit at Wal-Mart. Have fun now because its hard to once your here.
Edison,New Jersey has not only the lowest crime rate but also the best schools in NJ with competition among the kids.Plus the home prices has never gone down here.That is why it is # 1.
Of all of the wonderful cities in Arkansas, you list a college town with a high crime rate, few outdoor activities, poor paying jobs, run down communities, and horrible traffic? What about Russellville or even Ft.Smith? Obviously,little actual reseach was done on this list.
I live in the South Denver Metroplex and I think Ft. Collins is a hole. I have driven through it many times and while it is clean and quiet, it is still a college town. The so-called Old Town is nothing more than a haven for drunken college kids and that is about the size of it. I hope you like shopping at the Big Lots dollar store...
After living my entire life in bergen county NJ, I found it odd that edison NJ, wayne Nj, and North Bergen ranked as better & safer places to live thn Emerson, mahwah , hohokus, closter etc etc. North Bergen??? safer?? I dont think so
Charleston, WV???? Couldn't find a more bland, dark and dreary place to live. You obviously have never lived anywhere else in this country. The Ohio River is disgusting to look at let do any fishing or boating. Activities are hours away. They are so far behind as far as technology. People are moving away as fast as they can.
West Des Moines, Ia as a "finalist". How? When thoughts of a new mall, was put forth, they whined and carried on. YET, that mall has brought down their taxes and created many new jobs. And, it is not as close to them, as they were whining about. Also, they have the HIGHEST cost of housing in the state. If you can't keep up with the Jones' don't move to that side of town. When there was a flood in '93 THEIR MAYOR, refused to allow people to come and get much needed "clean" water. Said they had to "reserve" it for THEIR people. However, neighboring "smaller" towns, opened their arms to help. Yeah, if you fit in with SNOBS, you'll do just fine in West Des Moines, Ia.
Someone wondered why Rochester NY was on the list, saying they've lived there and hated it. Having been born there, I once despised Rochester...until I visited other cities. I hated New York City--too big, too scary, too impersonal. Lansing Michigan is nice. Detroit is terrible. Washington DC is beautiful but probably expensive. Surrounding Virginia and Maryland seemed nice, as well as Massachusetts, although Boston was a more mild version of New York.
Now I'm in Tucson where the weather's better but it's basically a town of dinky houses and strip mall after strip mall. The only thing we have here is an air force base and the University of Arizona. Most people do not seem to take pride in their yards (something that people obsess about who live in states such as NY where there are actually 4 seasons and grass to speak of). I would say the reason Rochester is on the list is the diversity, the location on a lake (although thats bad in winter), beautiful stretches of streets in many parts of town, as well as things to do. There are great hospitals, museums, and universities. Also, once you get outside of the suburbs, there are still farms where you can take the kids apple picking. It's all in one. In Tucson you'll pay a lot less for housing...but you'll end up with a dinky house next to a neighbor whose yard looks more like a chop shop. That said, Tucson has its own character, and I like it for what it is. I'll have to see some more places before I decide where I'll end up. Rochester does have a lot more violent crime...Tucson has a lot of crime but it's more auto or petty theft. Currently in Rochester they are pushing for a curfew in teenagers...that's how bad the violence is, particularly in minority neighborhoods. I'm originally from Orange County, California, but got promoted to New York City. I think NYC is great for economy, and shopping, but more then half the schools are failing. It can take forever to get to work. (Who can't mention the $8.00 tolls I pay everyday to travel from Queens to Manhattan), and pay $300/month for parking. California is much more widespread, and the weather and beaches are awesome.
I'm originally from Orange County, California, but got promoted to New York City. I think NYC is great for economy, and shopping, but more then half the schools are failing. It can take forever to get to work. (Who can't mention the $8.00 tolls I pay everyday to travel from Queens to Manhattan), and pay $300/month for parking. California is much more widespread, and the weather and beaches are awesome.
Grew up in St Louis moved to Chicago burbs in my 40's but have retired to the best kept secret in the country.
Little Rock! People are fantastic! Lots of Outdoor activities, and you are never alone if you don't want to be. Neighbors are wonderful. The weather is the best. We are really glad we were transfered here. So much to do indoors or out. Shows,Museums,and Lots of celebrations of life, like the Riverfest,and Fairs. Best part is we can afford it on our retirement and my husbands check. The city this tells me i should live in is Lubbock, Texas. I am from Illinois and have never been down there. Anyone have any info?
Wow, just looked at your Best Places To Live results. I think this is a very subjective survey. I have lived in Ellicott City/Columbia. There is NO WAY you can buy a house in that area for 300-500K! You can barely get a condo in a safe area for that. I don't know where your staff gets that info. If you want a pleasant suburban home in a modest middle class area, you will pay 600K and up. The traffic there is unreal, growth uncontrolled, and crime rates increasing. I really have to wonder about the data collection method/source of your survey.
I now reside in Virginia Beach (14 years), and again, there is no way you can afford a house in a safe, clean, friendly, and appreciating area for 220K. It can't be done. Condo's at the new Town Center are starting in the high 300's. How can you buy a house for 220K?Again, I call into question the accuracey of your data collection methods and sources. You will have to pay at least 400K to be in an area where you would let your children play unsupervised. The military has a huge presence here which is great on one hand, but causes the population to be very transient. Traffic is getting horrible with no relief/control in sight. There is a great deal of uncontrolled "sprawl" to the development in this area. The job market is good and healthcare is excellent. If you want to live on the water, you will spend well over 1 million, even for a modest home. Anyway, is it a great place to live? No. It's hot and humid in the summer (this area is a swamp basically), and the people here are not the friendliest. It's okay. In my opinion is should not have the number 6 slot. El Paso is truely a special place. For being a city of 700,000, we rank as the third safest city. We embrace many cultures and is a great place for people of all ages. TEXAS is part of our history and everyday lives. Many seniors come and retire here. Property is still reasonable.
The Pentagon is planning to add over 25,000 troops to Ft. Bliss which will make it one of the largest bases in the nation and will be setting up the Future Combative System which will develop and test the nations future weapons. El Paso will also be home to the first medical school to open in 25 years. UT-ElPaso is a rising star in the UT system and Coach Price has brought respectability to our football program as did Coach Haskins for our basketball program-an NCAA Mens National Championship in 1966, thirty years at the helm and a Hall of Famer. The weather is great even though we have had too much rain these past two months. The desert is so scenic esepcially after a rain. Now it is covered with grass and wild flowers of purple and gold. Every place has its good and bad. El Paso has a lot of both. For a third generation American, Texan, and El Pasoan, this place is home and everyone gets a big Texas Howdy. Hasta la vista! I've lived in several very different places and think that smaller is better. 1) Idaho Falls, ID has basically two seasons, winter and summer, but it is a beautiful place and the people are friendly once they get used to you. It is also only a couple hours drive from some of the most beautiful places in the world including Yellowstone National Park. It seems a great place to raise a family. 2) Bellingham WA - prices are ridiculous, most people are not friendly and though the summers are beautiful, the winters are dreary. Lots of Yuppies, Gen xers. 3) Charlotte NC fast-paced traffic nightmares galore, good jobs and weather, but lots of trade-offs including crowding. 4) Asheville NC - Beautiful small to mid-sized city in a beautiful place. Prices are skyrocketing however and hard for locals to afford. Winder GA - I am currently here and can't wait to get OUT! The county is tearing down acres and acres of trees to put up ugly useless little strip malls. In the last year alone, about ten have gone up. Housing prices are still low, but commuting traffic is a nightmare! There is nothing to do here, no movie theater, limited shopping, the downtown area is dead and decaying. PS Most North Georgia towns outside of Atlanta are lovely, full of charm, friendly people, mild weather and affordable.
Pembroke Pines FL. Stop! Don't come here. Don't believe these figures, they are very old. Housing prices are insanely high, expect 400K min. for a basic single family. $260K may get you a 1 bedroom condo inland. Jobs may be plentiful but at about 40K you can't afford the 400K house.
Now, in addition to the 400K house, you should be prepared to spend annually 5K on property taxes and 5-7K on homeowners insurance if you can even find a company to sell it to you. Pembroke Pines, where housing values skyrocketed (and so did tax revenue) now wants to increase property taxes by 37% this year. Why are so many Floridians moving to GA, SC, NC, TN? We can't afford to live here anymore, much less retire here. Denver, here I come. Grew up in the next city over, Herndon and thought things were great then however, now that I'm older and know the value of a dolalr more, I think the cost of living in NoVA is ridiculous!!
No listings in Louisiana? Imagine that.
I've read all the comments, and most everyone seems very emotional about their cities. Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the living experience changes from eyes to eyes. I believe we're truly fortunate that in our country we have so many great choices. Since it all boils down to "quality of living" we have to determine what is quality to each of us. For me people is at the top of the list. Much like a church...it's only a building if not for its members. Then comes the affordability factor, culture & entertainment, weather and beauty. I live in one of the most expensive areas in the country where some of the most expensive homes in the world can be found. There are beautiful beaches and mountains and culture galore, and our metro area is the entertainment capital of the world. Economy is strong...if we were a country, we'd have the 14th largest economy in the world. And yet... I, the beholder, look for the beauty that is first found in friendly people, slower pace where quality of life CAN be fully experienced, affordable housing where every hard working soul has a shot at their own back yard, diversity and acceptance of other races, choices and creeds, educational and cultural opportunities for all ages and lastly, low crime. Add California's perfect year-round weather and you've found paradise. Here we've got it all, except for affordable housing and slower pace. I'm looking for the whole nine yards. Any clues?
I love Cary, my sister and I both want to come back and teach there after we see the world a bit. Who cares if it isn't the hottest place to party? Look at all the other stats. It's safe, friendly, and a great location. I lived two exits away from RDU International airport, so it's easy to get to, but I didn't get bothered much with air traffic noise. My house was right next to an entrance to a greenway that could take me all the way to Crabtree Lake, and the best years of my childhood were spent on that trail. : ) In conclusion, it's a perfect place to raise a family.
We actually went and visited Fort Collins after the article came out. Every street we turned on had 4 or 5 vacant houses for sale. The realtor said the people had moved out since they most probably lost their hightech jobs. You don't get a very Colorado mountain like feel. The housing is either in new developments on small lots or a shack on a farm. The pace of life is slower and more peaceful but how will you pay the bills with no jobs. The job growth index is from 2000 to the present. That is a long period and does not reflect the current job market.
Ellicott City is in the midst of major growth. We recently moved to the area because of the 55 and better neighborhoods and all the conveniences. Being near a State Park gives the feel of the country with all the city perks. Columbia is a separate area than EC.
I had no idea that the city to which we are about to move, League City, TX. was on the list of the Top 100 in the US. It really is a great place, and the people are super.
I can't wait to tell my mom. She'll have something else to brag about to her circle of friends. Sorry, I think you missed the boat. Harrisburg,PA. is hard to beat,it definately, should be top 10. Do your home work, or better yet, stop by for a cup of coffee.
we are moving to austin,tx. can't wait to get there, california has been getting harder to live here all the time. see you all soon.
I lived in Naperville and moved to Ft. Collins-can certainly say they were my two favorite places to live. Both have a friendly atmosphere, diverse populations and opportunities to grow.
I was happy to see mention of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho,NM on your lists. My wife and I live in the Cherry Hill area of South Jersey. While, South Jersey, has been a great place to earn a living, you have to work 60-70 hours a week to obtain your goals to provide better for your family. There has been no shortage of work for us. You can make money...On the other hand retiring here can be difficult. Very high property taxes and the desire to slow down on the work front has made us research our future. Although, I'm only 37, I own my own remodeling business and look forward to slowing down a bit. I recently flew my wife out to Albuquerque and within minutes she was in love with the whole area just as I was the first time I saw it 7 years ago. The people are awesome, the weather incredible, great shopping, some of the best restaurants, low taxes, beautiful homes, mountains, 350 days of sun, low allergies and humidity, not hot or cold, no bugs, creative people and architecture. I could go on forever. I can't wait until my son goes to college in 5 years, so that I can finally live comfortably in an area that just seems to make sense as you get older and want to be able to slow down and enjoy life more.
Everything closes really early and there is nothing for young adults to do in Eden Prairie. City is best suited for families with young children.
If you'd like a beer or a cocktail with your meal on the weekend, don't move here. Rigid local laws prohibit sale of alcohol to restaurant patrons on Sunday within city limits.
From the way you describe it here you would think the entire place is like the three mile radius of the ever growing downtown. Which BTW has MUCH to thank for your ratings! I grew up on Cape Cod and for a number of years lived in Northern California, and though like everyone says I LOVE THE DOWNTOWN the rest of this place is drab and BORING! The geography, read FLAT, is uninspired and BORING. The outlying subdivisions are former corn fields with no mature trees and cookie cutter. I make $150,000 and feel poor where "good" homes are 500-700K! Sure there is great train service for those of us that have to commute but seriously, this place is no gem! Funny, we were walking downtown last night and I mentioned how it was reminding me of downtown Los Gatos without the cool mountains and other places to go and see. There is so little to do here it's unreal! For someone used to being able to go to the mountains, the beach, the wine country, etc., on any weekend. Here...you drove that same 35 miles and your in the cornfields of DeKalb. yeah! Hopefully we'll move soon!
can anyone tell me more about albuquerque,nm.i heard tis agreat place.i live now in sioux falls,south dakota, ilive here for 6 years and i am tired of the snow and the long and cold weather.i want to move to new mexico.i seen pictures and it is beautiful
I live in Kansas City, and Overland Park in a suburb of Kansas City. I do think that Overland Park is a nice area, but it lacks one huge thing: character. Its way too "cookie cutter" - you'd have a hard time finding a restaurant that is not a chain. And all the houses look alike. But it does have good schools and a low crime rate.
I lived in some of those places in the top 20 and am surprised to see them on the list. I would never live in those places again. The coastal areas like Carlsbad, Cape Coral are much much better.
I am amazed when I see city's in the state of New Jersey on the list. From movies to music to Jay Leno, New Jersey is the most made fun of state in the US. I lived in New Jersey and it was a horriable state to live in. The weather was terriable and the people are rude and very fast moving.I could count on my hand the number of times in 5 years someone in a store said hello or thank you for coming. Believe me, I have lived in allot of states, NJ people are the rudest.
My eyes are bleary after reading all of your comments about the best and the worst places to live in the states. I have had the good fortune to have personally experienced living in a quite a number of your marvelously rated best places to live. You wanna know what? I will not exchange my place here in the south of France (St. P�e sur Nivelle) for any one of your American treasures!
I lived in Albuquerque, nm. over 3 yrs. It's very laid-back, lots of culture, good music, fantastic weather, you can swim during the day, go up a mountain and play in the snow. Paradise! wish I could live there again. Try it, you'll love it.
HI Might relocate to Texas never have been there. Husband has job opportunity in San Antonio. We now live in Fairfield Connecticut. Kids in a private college prep K-12 school.
How far in Sugarland from San Antonio? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Any private schools in either area worth checking out. Compared to the rest of North Carolina, Cary rules. Lived many places across the state, and Cary's the only one I want to go back to.
Naperville is a safe, quiet place to live protected by a bubble of affluance. Unfortunately, affluance breeds stupidity in the long run. Those who attended the district #204 know what I mean. Haha!
I once lived in LaGrange,Ga....I thought it was a very nice place to raise a family, we visted it last year and it has it has changed a great deal, is there anyone, who lives there
or knows anyone that has been there? I would love to move back there, but my husband is against it. It's not a suprise to me that Fort Collins is ranked number 1. I moved here 7 years ago to attend college and I fell in love with the city. There's so much to do if you love the outdoors and the over 300 days of sunshine makes Fort Collins a great place to live.
this list is a joke,right? there's not one place on here i would want to live.
I lived in Overland Park Kansas for 8 years while my girls attended middle and high school. Fabulous place for a family. Came from San Diego California so am used to great places. Now live in Tampa florida. Came for the sun and got NOTHING else. Tampa is a dump. Am looking to move as my 9yr old son needs better schools, and we can not make a living here. Costs going up on everything and houses coming down. OK I know that is everywhere but I want good schools and sunshine and all the modern conveniences at my fingertips. Where do I go?????
Thinking about moving to Austin? Think again! Its just like Southern California now. I grew up there and thought I'd get away. Nope! Everything is coming here. No Trader Joes yet but I'm sure they'll be here soon. New toll roads open in December. The stop lights here are a bear. Every red light makes you wait 2 minutes since they are not on sensors. The freeways...just imagine the 405 at 7:30 am. House prices are going up quick. I'm planning my next move...somewhere MTV hasn't done a Real World...yet. Oh! It much more humid and warmer than So Cal, so you'd have to get used to it. People are friendlier but that's changing quick as more and more Californians arrive. Move to Vegas. At least you'll be closer to home when you want to go back.
I am seriously trying to decide where to relocate. What is important to me: Affordable priced housing, temperate climate, friendly people,social/ events womens clubs. I have lived in Central IL for 30 yrs, and am tired of cold winters! I tend toward TN,GA. I hear people are so nice in the south!
Is this a joke?
We are on Social Security and a small VA pention. Would like warmer climate, close to a VA hospital and good medical care under Medicare. Perks for seniors would be welcom.
Bend, Oregon ("the Aspen of the NorthWest")was top on the list several years ago. This town continues to boom (and rightfully so... it's beautiful!)but it is not even on the list now. Was money wrong before, or right now?
I lived in Wichita for almost 5 years. It is the closest thing to the hellhole of the world.If you enjoy watching the grass grow then move to Wichita.
Me and my wife work in downtown Chicago. I for Boeing as a executive for federal contracts and my wife works as E-Trade as a market research analyst. We live in Naperville,IL Its a great place to have my kids grow up here. Its not that expensive as some folks mentioned here. I grew up in Queens,NY and comparing to that life style I don't miss anything as everyday I get on I-59 Metra station and see the vibrant downtown and come back home and spend good time with my kids and my family. Naperville has the best school district (both 203 and 204) comparing to any other place in midwest (Forget rankings) I attended public schools in Queens,NY and I can say downtown schools Suck.
Naperville community has a very very low crime rate and has the Best libraries in the whole Midwest. The housing is affordable and There is lot of potential for job growth as more and more companies are moving from Downtown Chicago to Naperville. I've lived in Cary for 22 years. It stands for Containment Area for Relocated Yankees. If you are looking for a "taste of the south", you won't find it here. I love the town and have raised my family here and will probably retire here, but I'll have to travel to visit my children. They find the town boring (in both color and things to do). Most of the town is painted in shades of beige!
Cary is awesome! Came from Long Island, NY and couldn't be happier!
I just about sprayed tea all over my computer from laughing when I saw that Eagan, MN had made it into the top twenty. Sure, if communing with brain-dead zombies, who see shopping at Walmart as a major source of entertainment, is your thing...by all means, go for it! Clearly, I won't be using this list as a guide.
Cay is a great place to liv in, we moved here few weeks ago and are extremely happy with the schools, the people and quality of life.
Your list is best used as a catalyst for follow-up and discussion. There are too many subjective factors that people prioritize in vastly different ways. For instance, weather is a huge factor for some people, while schools are bigger for others. (I'm with those who prefer warm weather to ice and snow).
Specific comments: **Columbia and Ellicott City, MD are ridiculously expensive, and traffic is horrendous if you want to get into D.C. (I lived in the Baltimore-Washington area for many years). **Corpus Christi. In response to one reader's comment, I have to add that CC is okay, but suffers from a severe dearth of things to do. **Austin seems like the perfect town until you get stuck in traffic there. I would like to note for the Lexington demographics under Leisure and Culture, there is an accredited museum within 30 miles. Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky Art Museum, which meets the AAM guidelines.
what a joke your list was !!!!
Have you ever seen the traffic in the 3 cities that were in south Fl Mirimar, Coral Springs , Pembroke Pines unless you stay in your condo common area all day good luck getting around . And the cost of home owners insurance is so outragous I could only laugh when I saw these on your List I grew up in the Western suburbs of Chicago (Lisle, Naperville, and Aurora). Naperville and Aurora (both on the list) are very nice places for the right type of person. Unfortunately, I'm no longer that type of person. I don't like the trends I see with 3,000 square foot homes and no back yard. I moved to Cedar Rapids IA 3 years ago and absolutely love it. Less traffic, friendlier people (since there are less of them), wide open spaces, and plenty of things to do outside (camping, hiking, etc). . I know everyone has a preference but give me less crowds and a slower pace.
Your top 10 list is interesting but too many places on the list are too expensive to live for the average family and many of them lack diversity and culture. Its hard to believe more places in the north east weren't chosen, especially near large cities.
Hello-
I am moving to Carrollton, TX. from Los Angeles, CA. Can anyone give me advice with this transition... Looking for a place Stateside to retire. Why can't you search based on the crime rates in a town?
Just saw your comments on the housing overrpriced in the area of Santa Barbara. I currently live in Oxnard California about 25 miles south of Santa Basrbara and 35 miles north of Malibu.Have seen this market explode in the last 5 years..Homes with only two days of listing being sold site unseen.Now the market is stagnet and there is that uneasy feeling of a downturn. Country-wide Mortag |
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