Best Places to Live: Top 100

For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community.

By Kate Ashford, Andrea Bartz, Jeff Cox, Asa Fitch, Stephen Gandel, Josh Hyatt, Rob Kelley, Kathleen Knight, Joe Light, Ismat Sarah Mangla, Sarah Max, Jennifer Merritt, Brad Nelson, Donna Rosato, Ingrid Tharasook

65 of 100

65. Mooresville, N.C.

Population: 23,100
Median home price (2006): $208,274
Average property taxes (2006): $1,406

Officially nicknamed "Race City USA," Mooresville is the headquarters for more than 60 professional auto-racing teams. While the industry is an important backbone to the city's economy, tourism has also taken off in recent years. Residents are drawn to Mooresville's balance between modernization and main street values - without a lot of the congestion much of the state deals with. The Downtown Commission balances attracting new business with preserving historic buildings. Lake Norman, North Carolina's largest manmade lake, has been one of the most popular destinations in the region because of its romantic 520 miles of shoreline and it's also become a prime destination for extreme water sports. -I.T.

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