It’s time for this year’s Money Magazine “Best Places to Live,” and the fact small towns dominate the list of 100 cities should come as no surprise. Big cities hurl the difficulties of overcrowding, safety issues and huge costs, making them not so family friendly. 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. .
The top Money Magazine ‘Best Places to Live’
Here’s a preview of the top the top entries in 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 help within the decision-making process. .
1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Pop. 64,000; Unemployment 5.1 percent)
One of several Minnesota cities in the top 100, Eden Prairie boasts rolling hills and access to many lakes. Individuals love outdoor pastimes and schools rate highly on the quality scale. Economically, the city is four points below the national unemployment average and has a perfect AAA bond rating from Moody’s. With multiple major employers in town, it is no wonder that Eden Prairie has as many as 50,000 jobs in town.
2. Columbia/Ellicott City, Md. (Pop. 155,000; 5.2 percent)
Diverse population, superb schools, lots of affordable housing and an attractive downtown are just some of the best features here. The NSA and Fort Meade provide more than 8,000 jobs, with thousands more to come. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within commuting distance, where more job opportunities exist.
3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)
Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital are major employers within the area, and an excellent deal of public transportation is available, thanks to Newton’s proximity to the Greater Boston area. 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)
Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia have brought new jobs to the area, making Bellevue more secure than nearby Seattle on the job front. There are a plethora of culturally enriching entertainments and activities accessible, and also the forest containing the Bellevue skyline makes the city a beauty to behold, as does Lake Washington. The Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list typically 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.McKinneyites have jobs as well, thanks to Raytheon and the proximity of Big Dallas. When it comes to family fun, McKinney offers lots of parks and places to go hiking, which makes a big difference when it comes to overall quality of life.
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CNN
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