The Ten Best Places to Live
These ten places are each special in their own way. The only downside may be that
it's hard to keep a secret, so most of them have seen considerable increases in
home prices over the last couple of years.
1. Charlottesville, VA
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, most areas of this idyllic
city are accessible by foot or bicycle. Charlottesville enjoys clean air and water,
and pleasant weather year-round, highlighted by especially beautiful fall foliage.
Nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a wealth of recreation opportunities. Charlottesville
is home to the University of Virginia, which strengthens the area's healthy economy
by providing steady jobs and a wealth of amenities and entertainment. Homes are
not cheap (median home price $225,000), but the cost of living is manageable. The
city's low unemployment rate and significant recent job growth promise continued
prosperity. As more and more people learn about this year's best city, Charlottesville
may find staying affordable and sprawl-free is its greatest challenge!
2. Santa Fe, NM
Home to over 250 art galleries and the new Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe has
long been a haven for artists. Perched high in the desert mountains, Santa Fe's
air is crisp and clean. Daytime temperatures are mild, though the nights are often
cold. The city is surrounded by over 1.5 million acres of national forest, offering
excellent hiking, camping, and downhill skiing. Recently, Santa Fe has seen its
population skyrocket as the city has become a relocation hotspot for affluent Americans.
Despite its recent growth, Santa Fe remains relatively affordable, with a median
home price of $365,000.
3. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA
This quiet group of towns on the central California coast could easily qualify as
paradise. The climate is among the country's most pleasant, with 285 mostly sunny
days per year and temperatures rarely above 90 degrees, or below freezing. The presence
of academic heavyweight Cal Poly helps anchor the local economy- the unemployment
rate is well below the national average. It's fortunate that local jobs are plentiful,
since it's too far to commute to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Considering further
its low crime and unemployment rates, the San Luis Obispo area seems to have it
all. But home prices here have risen steadily in the last few years, so that the
median is now $536,300. While this isn't unreasonable by California standards, it
can be out of reach for many of us thinking of moving from other parts of the country.
4. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA
A few miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has long been a #1 relocation choice
for those who can afford it. This area is famous for lavish estates that carry a
price tag in the millions of dollars. Indeed, the median home price for the county
is $590,000, and your average house in the city itself is over $1.2 million. No
matter how appealing, the Santa Barbara area's cost of living and home prices will
prove prohibitive for many Americans. In addition, recent job growth has dipped
lately, so it might not be the best place to look for a new job. Nevertheless, for
those that are retired or financially secure, the Santa Barbara area remains one
of unmatched beauty and comfort.
5. Honolulu, HI
Everyone knows that Honolulu is a great place to vacation, but what about putting
down roots in Hawaii's capital city? After a slow start, home appreciation is taking
off like a rocket as well-to-do mainlanders are looking for a place to invest, and
enjoy. The laid-back and easy-going attitude of the islands is infectious and helps
explain the low violent crime rate. Restaurants, eager to please the international
tourist clientele, are excellent and numerous. For the same reason, entertainment
options are various and exciting. Even Honolulu's economy is remarkable—the unemployment
rate is low and recent job growth is well above the national average. There are
some downsides to consider. Nearly all consumer items must be shipped from the mainland,
and this translates to a high cost of living. Other drawbacks are the high median
home price ($550,100) and the possible claustrophobia of living on a small island.
But if you don't mind the cost and isolation of living far off the mainland, then
Honolulu is a safe and beautiful place to live.
6. Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan is the foundation of the city's economy, providing stable
employment to many residents and keeping the unemployment rate well below the national
average. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the residents of Ann Arbor are well educated--
more than 20% have college degrees. Not only are there enough jobs to go around,
but they also pay well—Ann Arbor's per capita income is nearly 25% greater than
the national average. The city's value makes it even more attractive-- its median
home price is $220,000. Just be prepared for long winters—the temperature dips below
freezing 139 days a year. In addition, political conservatives might want to think
twice about Ann Arbor, however, as its residents and city government are vigorously
liberal.
7. Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is the largest city in our Top 10 Best Places to Live, having recently experienced
a huge population boom. The crossroads of the South has become especially popular
with young people looking for a sunny and exciting urban center that is easy on
the checkbook, with its reasonable cost of living. Indeed, the city's affordable
homes (median home price $164,100) and robust economy (high per-capita income) make
Atlanta an excellent choice for young people concerned with value. The South has
a reputation for oppressive heat and humidity, but statistically Atlanta has a warm
and pleasant climate. Throw in four pro sports teams, great restaurants, and a diverse
arts scene and Atlanta emerges a sizzling city on the move.
8. Asheville, NC
Asheville is situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest part
of the Appalachian Range. A low cost of living and affordable housing (median home
price $202,100) offset the area's low measure of diversity and unremarkable economy.
This mountain getaway was settled in the 1850's as a slow-paced health retreat,
and it continues to be appealing to both families and retirees. Since the median
age of Asheville residents is above the national average, retirees moving here will
find themselves happily surrounded by their peers.
9. Reno, NV
Reno is another one of the Top 10 cities that has recently experienced significant
population growth. New residents are attracted by the area's lack of crowding and
absence of income tax. Reno boasts ample options for outdoor recreation, including
skiing the Sierra Nevada's and exploring Lake Tahoe and its surrounding national
forest. The days are sunny and the air is especially clean, but nights are cold
and sub-freezing temperatures occur 189 days a year. The crime rate is a bit higher
than the national average, but the Reno area is affordable (median home price $292,300),
which makes it a smart choice for young people looking to move into a California-like
climate on a budget.
10. Corvallis, OR
Corvallis is home to Oregon State University and hence many young singles. Technology
stalwart Hewlett-Packard has a major presence here, which helps explain the city's
low unemployment rate and impressive recent job growth. The presence of OSU and
HP has created something of an intellectual center-- over 20% of its residents have
earned a graduate or professional degree. The fertile Willamette Valley was the
destination of 19th-century settlers from the Midwest, and since then has retained
a peaceful agrarian feel. Summers are sublime and the winters are mild, if a bit
wet. For recreation, the rugged Oregon coast is a 90 minutes to the west, the nearby
Cascade range offers great skiing, and Portland is about 100 miles to the North.
Considering it's affordability ($194,800 median home price), Corvallis presents
an attractive mix of youth, intellectualism, and natural beauty.
For a complete profiles of all 331 metropolitan areas, get a copy of
"Cities Ranked and Rated." online or at your local bookstore or library.
The book also includes maps, climate charts, comparison tables, plus additional
profiles of the 45 new fast-growing mini-metro areas and 27 Canadian metro areas.
