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. .
Top Five Money Magazine ‘Best Places to Live’
Whet your appetite with this sampling of Money Magazine “Best Places to Live”. Numerical data used by CNN Money to compile the list comes from Onboard Informatics; the data involves population, median income, sales tax and a variety of other categories. The overall rate of short term loans origination – whether they be quick unsecured loans or short term loan – 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)
One of a number of Minnesota cities in the top 100, Eden Prairie boasts rolling hills and access to many lakes. Schools rate highly in Eden Prairie, as does the overall health of its individuals 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. Considering the number of large employers that call the city home, it is no wonder that Eden Prairie provides over 50,000 jobs within city limits.
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. Military and government employment through Fort Meade and the National Security Agency currently provide the area with 8,000 jobs, and government has promised thousands more in the very near future. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within reasonable commuting distance, which adds to the employment possibilities.
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. 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)
Bellevue is a tech mecca, thanks to the presence of Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, among others. Lake Washington and 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)
.McKinneyites have jobs also, thanks to Raytheon and also 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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