Best Small US Cities to Live in (2008)
The annual 2008 survey of Money Magazine, for the best small US cities to live in, places Plymouth (Minnesota) on the top spot, followed by Fort Collins (Colorado) and Naperville (Illinois).
Compared to the large cities, these small American cities have also great schools, great jobs and some affordable housing. Life may be quiet, but not less exciting. The trend shows however a house price increase and it’s not rare to find million-dollar homes in this huge market. Where is best to live, prices adjust accordingly.
1. Plymouth
Plymouth - suburb of the Twin Cities - has good jobs and low crime. An active outdoor culture keeps you healthy. Housing looks attractive and affordable, with $350,000 for a typical three-bedroom. Topnotch schools put the city’s main school district among the top three in the state. Plymouth has an open-air amphitheater, to host numerous summer concerts. Mall of America, the nation’s biggest mall, is also close.
2. Fort Collins
Fort Collins is a Rocky Mountain city, in which almost every new road has a bike lane. Residents and visitors can check out for free a bicycle for up to seven days. Bioscience and tech companies like Agilent Technologies, Hewlett-Packard and Kodak, have a foot in the city. Colorado State University offers a scenic spot in the middle of town. The city also received a grant to start a solar-energy project downtown. A brand-new cancer center will be soon part of Fort Collins. Excellent schools have been overcrowded for years, but officials have taken steps by moving some grades to different buildings.
3. Naperville
Naperville is for the third time in this Best Places list. Close to Chicago, the city has a walkable downtown area, packed with restaurants and shops. Edward Hospital, Nicor Gas, BP America, Lucent and Tellabs are installed here or have offices in town.
Here are the top 100 small US cities where is best for living, according to this survey:
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Tags: 2008, Best Small Cities, Best to Live In, Fort Collins, Money Magazine, Naperville, Plymouth, Regional Surveys, Surveys, United States, USA
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