Best Small US Cities to Live in (2006)
The annual 2006 survey of Money Magazine, for the best small US cities to live in, places Fort Collins (Colorado) on the top spot, followed by Naperville (Illinois) and the diverse community of Sugar Land (Texas).
It looks like Americans are flocking to places that offer amenities and big-city opportunities. Many are looking now for more green space and less stress. This is why small cities, with good schools, affordable housing and clean air, became an attraction. See what the top 3 small US cities from this survey has to offer.
1. Fort Collins
Fort Collins has great schools, good jobs in a high-tech economy, low crime and a great outdoor life. In the 90s, many high-tech companies moved here from high-priced California. At 5,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins has 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, with most major roads with bicycle lanes. Boating and swimming are among the natural attractions, nearby Horsetooth Reservoir. The city has also plenty of restaurants and culture.
2. Naperville
Naperville is for another consecutive year in top 3. Naperville has more green space than most cities, a triple-A bond rating, shopping, jazz and restaurants. College entrance exam scores are among the state’s highest. A four miles of bricked pathways that hug the DuPage River meanders through downtown. The Riverwalk is great for running or strolling. People may listen to concerts on grassy Rotary Hill.
3. Sugar Land
Even more Asians moved in in the 80s, when Sugar Land became less a sleepy small town and more a land of good jobs and affordable housing. With diverse communities, the area’s heat and humidity was close to what most its Asian immigrants had at home. The city is today almost a quarter Asian, with mosques as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples. A roomy house in a landscaped neighborhood with a community pool can be priced for about $200,000.
Here are the top 90 small US cities where is best for living, according to this survey:
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Tags: 2006, Best Small Cities, Best to Live In, Fort Collins, Money Magazine, Naperville, Regional Surveys, Surveys, United States, USA
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