It’s time for this year’s Money Magazine “Best Places to Live,” and the fact that small towns dominate the list of 100 cities should come as no surprise. The din of big cities is typically too expensive 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.
Resource for this article: Money Magazine Best Places to Live highlights small town life by Personal Money Store
The top Money Magazine ‘Best Places to Live’
Here’s a preview of the top the top entries within the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list. Data provider Onboard Informatics provided CNN Money with stats on population size, median income, area sales tax and other categories to assist within the decision-making process. The overall rate of installment loan origination – whether they be short term loan or unsecured loans – is also below the national average in these cities, as job availability, average income and overall quality of life make financial emergencies somewhat less frequent.
1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Pop. 64,000; Unemployment 5.1 percent)
This is not the last of the Minnesota cities in the top 100, but Eden Prairie is certainly first, with its beautiful surroundings and avenues for play in nature. Schools rate highly in Eden Prairie, as does the overall health of its people due to the preponderance of outdoor activity. The unemployment rate is more than comfortably low and their bond rating on Moody’s scale is a perfect AAA. With multiple major employers in town, it is no wonder that Eden Prairie has as much as 50,000 jobs in town.
2. Columbia/Ellicott City, Md. (Pop. 155,000; 5.2 percent)
Great schools, housing residents can afford, an excellent 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. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within commuting distance, where more job opportunities exist.
3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)
Newton benefits greatly from the presence of Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and also the Greater Boston area public transport system makes for a mobile populace. On the charm side, Newton consists of a series of villages that display the New England charm for which the area is known.
4. Bellevue, Wash. (Pop. 124,000; 5.8 percent)
The tech community (Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, to name a few) have brought so numerous jobs to Bellevue that they beat Seattle when it comes to employment rate. Cultural activities and also the natural beauty of forests and Lake Washington beckon families. The Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list generally penalizes cities with high home cost, but Bellevue is an exception due to its strength in other areas.
5. McKinney, Texas (Pop. 125,000; 7.8 percent)
McKinney, Texas has a well-maintained downtown area that mixes modern with 19th century.Raytheon and also the nearness of Dallas have contributed mightily to McKinney’s job picture. And with the parks and hiking trails for numerous family adventures, it is no wonder McKinney makes this prestigious list.
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CNN
money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/
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