If you live in one of Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live,” you’d be living well in what is likely a small town. Overcrowding in America’s modern metropolises presents a wide array of safety and logistical difficulties for families, not to mention exorbitant costs. 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. Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” are intended to be America’s most family-friendly cities.
Money Magazine ‘Best Places to Live’ – a sample
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. Numerical data used by CNN Money to compile the list comes from Onboard Informatics; the data includes population, median income, sales tax and a variety of other categories. Payday 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 short term loans and unsecured loans less essential.
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 numerous 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. All told, Eden Prairie houses 50,000-plus jobs via a number of 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 people can afford in and out of the bustling downtown center. The NSA and Fort Meade provide more than 8,000 jobs, with thousands more to come. And if that isn’t enough, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are nearby, which expands the job possibilities greatly.
3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)
Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital are major employers within the area, and a great deal of public transportation is accessible, 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)
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 great place for nature activities, but there’s a hotbed of culture there as well. 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 as well, 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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