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. .
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 The US. Data provider Onboard Informatics provided CNN Money with stats on population size, median income, area sales tax and other categories to assist in the decision-making process. The overall rate of installment loans origination – whether they be unsecured loans or secured 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)
Eden Prairie is first in large part because of its beautiful hills and access to multiple lakes. Individuals love outdoor pastimes and schools rate highly on the quality scale. . 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)
Ellicott City boasts a highly diverse populace, commendable educational facilities and homes that individuals can afford in and out of the bustling downtown center. Eight thousand jobs are provided by the NSA and Fort Meade, and also the federal government already has plans to add thousands more. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within commuting distance, where more job choices exist.
3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)
Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital are major employers in the area, and a fantastic deal of public transportation is available, thanks to Newton’s proximity to the Greater Boston area. New England charm is a highlight of the grouping of 13 villages that make up Newton.
4. Bellevue, Wash. (Pop. 124,000; 5.8 percent)
The tech community (Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, to name a couple of) have brought so numerous jobs to Bellevue that they beat Seattle when it comes to employment rate. Cultural activities and the natural beauty of forests and Lake Washington beckon families. Homes are costly 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)
Visit downtown McKinney and also the well-preserved 19th century buildings are among the first things that hit you.McKinneyites have jobs also, thanks to Raytheon and the proximity of Big Dallas. And with the parks and hiking trails for numerous family adventures, it’s no wonder McKinney makes this prestigious list.
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money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/
