“MONEY” magazine has revealed the 2011 list of “MONEY’s 100 Best Places to Live in America,” highlighting small towns across the country with populations of 50,000 or less. For the annual cover-story, on sale August 19, MONEY looked for places with the optimal combination of job opportunities, fiscal strength, top-notch schools, safe streets, good healthcare, cultural and outdoor activities, and even nice weather.
MONEY’s editors write, “With the current state of the economy—and the dispiriting sight of the nation’s leaders endlessly battling about how to fix it—the phrase ‘small town’ conjures up images of a happier time. When unemployment wasn’t above 9%. When people didn’t stress out about home values. When school budgets weren’t under siege. Those were the days, right?”
Louisville, Colorado tops this year’s list at number one. Tewnty-three miles outside Denver, Louisville has a strong economy, stable housing and lots to do. Louisville has some of the lowest crime rates in Colorado and was also ranked No. 1 in 2009 when MONEY assessed places with populations of under 50,000. There are good jobs in Louisville in the tech, telecom, aerospace, clean energy, and healthcare space. Additionally, MONEY editors report that businesses are flourishing in the historic downtown district, writing, “This summer alone saw the opening of three restaurants, a rooftop bar, a coffee shop, a yoga studio, a gift shop, and two art galleries. And world-class outdoor recreation is a short drive away.”
MONEY’s 2011 top-ten list:
1. Louisville, CO
2. Milton, MA
3. Solon, OH
4. Leesburg, VA
5. Papillion, NE
6. Hanover, NH
7. Liberty, MO
8. Middleton, WI
9. Mukilteo, WA
10. Chanhassen, MN
For more best places to live, visit www.Money.com/BestPlaces.
