Small town living comes out on top as Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” have been revealed. The din of big cities is typically too costly and less than inviting for families – plus they’re ultra-expensive. To rank on the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list, a city must rank well in jobs, school quality, family safety, recreation and overall veneer. What cities make the list are the best of the best when it comes to America’s family-oriented communities.
Article resource: Money Magazine Best Places to Live highlights small town life by Personal Money Store
A taste of Money Magazine’s ‘Best Places to Live’
As a sneak peek at the full list of Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” for 2010, here are the five best places to live in America. Onboard Informatics provided CNN Money with the population, income, sales tax and other data that made the list possible. Installment loans are typically used less frequently in cities on the list, as job availability and income levels tend to lead to the kind of financial stability that make unsecured loans and short term loans less essential.
1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Pop. 64,000; Unemployment 5.1 percent)
It is not the last of the Minnesota cities within the top 100, but Eden Prairie is certainly first, with its beautiful surroundings and avenues for play in nature. Outdoor activities are plentiful and schools rate highly. Unemployment is far below the national average and Eden Prairie’s AAA rating with Moody’s indicates the city’s overall financial health. All told, Eden Prairie houses 50,000-plus jobs via numerous high-profile employers.
2. Columbia/Ellicott City, Md. (Pop. 155,000; 5.2 percent)
Great schools, housing residents can afford, a great downtown area and population diversity are a couple of of Ellicott City’s key elements. Eight thousand jobs are provided by the NSA and Fort Meade, and the federal government already has plans to add thousands more. And if that is not enough, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are nearby, which expands the job possibilities greatly.
3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)
The Greater Boston system of public transportation serves Newton and the surrounding area, making access to major employers like Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital easy. Newton is divided into multiple “villages,” and each reportedly has its own New England charm.
4. Bellevue, Wash. (Pop. 124,000; 5.8 percent)
Bellevue is a tech mecca, thanks to the presence of Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, among others. Lake Washington and also the surrounding forest make Bellevue a fantastic place for nature activities, but there’s a hotbed of culture there as well. Homes are expensive as Washington goes, but other factors have helped Bellevue rise on the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list.
5. McKinney, Texas (Pop. 125,000; 7.8 percent)
McKinney, Texas has a well-maintained downtown area that mixes modern with 19th century.And with employers like defense contractor Raytheon in town providing jobs, the need to drive an hour to Dallas for work is far from inevitable, even during the recession. Add lots of parks and hiking trails, and you also have a very nice place to live.
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CNN
money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/
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