Best Places to Live and Launch 2008
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DiggMinneapolis is located in one of the coldest areas of the country — and not just temperature wise. It is one of the ruder parts of the country I have lived in.
Maybe it is because they are locked in their homes 10 months out of the year (due to the cold). Maybe it is because they are just plain rude people. I am not sure, but I have found Indiana and Tennessee to be much friendlier. The cost of living in Minnesota is outrageous, as well, compared with Indiana and Tennessee.
Well, I have to disagree with your choice of American Canyon as 1 of the top 100. Please. It is overrun with illegal immigrants. It’s a gang ridden low life community outside of Napa.
I have lived in Northern Cal all of my life and can offer better choices by far ie., Sebastopol, Cotati, Pleasanton, Roseville, Placerville, Lake Tahoe to name a few way better places than American Canyon and Novato for that matter.
When you comment on housing prices you should check what it costs to heat and cool. This is a significant expenses in some of your best choices.
Savannah is the Secret Destination in the South
If you are full time resident you are on vacation 365 days a year
I am on my 9125th day of vacation
FYI
The homes for sale in Blue Ash Ohio are Arkansas properties. Even the map is incorrect.
Thank you
One man’s failure
is
another man’s opportunity.
Manchester is a great place to raise a family. Entrepeneurial and traditional business mix with most destinations like ocean and mountains only an hour away. Dedicated leadership.
Ann Arbor is truly an economic island in Michigan. The people are highly educated and the unemployment is relatively low. The public school system is excellent as well. I can’t think of a better place to live.
After the real estate bust, property values have hit rock bottom in Fort Lauderdale. Some property prices are no bigger than the price of the land on which they are located!
“Greater Orlando is relatively insulated from Florida’s real-estate crash.”
With this statement, you truly show you don’t know what you are talking about.
I moved to Orlando from Dallas, Texas, 6 years ago. The housing situation is deplorable here as it is in the whole state. Look at your past CNN Money reports to see Florida is a chaotic real estate mess.
Please, do your work before you give your opinion, of which ignorant people who don’t research believe! Geee Whiz!
CV. Orlando
Pittsburgh has transformed itself from a tough blue collar town to one of the greenest cities in the US. If I were starting out in my carreer, I’d look hard at Pittsburgh. It has all the big time amenities (sports, education, medicine, arts, culture etc.) and housing is very reasonable.
Fort Collins is a phenomenal place to call home. The University (Colorado State), the outdoors, proximity to a “big” city (Denver), the high tech talent with companies like HP, Intel, Anheuser Busch, etc and the small town atmosphere make this a special place.
Add to this list Haverhill, MA (part of the Lowell-Lawrence-Haverhill corridor) – a small, diverse, business-oriented city with a strong history yet lots of land and open space. We have over 50 public parks, several lakes and our own castle! Property taxes are low, and the overall tax burden is lower than might be expected. The riverfront/downtown teems with great restaurants, bars and shops. Two commuter rail stops and easy access to US495 make commuting easy. Beaches, scenic seaside towns and stunning countryside are minutes away. The people are typical prickly New Englanders – until you get to know them – who just may be friends for life. We take nothing for granted here except our resolve, tempered over the winters which build our hardy character.
Give me MA or NH any day, North County, CA is a terrible place to live, this means Carlsbad, Oceanside, etc. Two towns north of Carlsbad is a Vista, a total dump.
Virginia Beach, VA – what they don’t tell you about is all the traffic you have to get through to even get to the oceanfront! Where is all our lottery money going??? supposedly to schools and road improvement – NOT!
Be careful of the factor property taxes plays in the education of your children in NH! Be very wary of the communities you choose to live and while homes may be favorable, your property taxes in NH are extremely high! Schools in this state are feeling the crunch. Some neighborhoods are building new schools and bringing in good teachers. Some are floundering and the infrastructure is failing, with no end in sight. Two communities, Claremont and Franklin have sued the state over the way it is funding education. A settlement is still in court.
NH is the only state in the lower US that has no sales tax. There is also no income tax. Where do you think the money comes from to do anything? You got it – property taxes. NH also has the largest house of representatives in the country (OVER 400!!!) talk about to many cooks spoiling the soup! Nothing progresses in this state. So move in if you’d like and if you don’t have children then the business can prosper. But if it’s a family you want to raise, the age of being a great place to raise a family is sadly coming to an end.
Raleigh has high unemployment. Please do NOT come here if you want a job. There are lots of professionals out of work, and they are taking the hourly jobs. It’s bad for everyone.
If you want to start a company and HIRE people, please come here. However, small businesses here are hurting, just like everywhere else.
I am not sure what is meant by the reporter writing that Raleigh has no “local income tax.” We pay state and federal taxes like everyone else. What do you mean no local income tax?
As far as Durham, go to some of the crime websites and see the unusually violent crime that occurs every day there. It’s disturbing. And the photo used as an illustration? I worked at that location (American Tobacco Warehouse complex) for a very long time and never saw it from that unusually appealing perspective. Don’t believe everything you read and see. Do not make life-changing decisions based on something you read in a magazine. Do research, in person, yourself, and talk to the people who live here.
Yes, I live at the beach in DE and we are being “invaded” in the last 5-6 years, I am orig. from Wash DC area, that and the NJ,NY pop. are moving here with their stressful mentality…is there a slower, famiy friendly, wave to each other again, eastern shore town I could move myself, as a single mom to, anyone know?
I am a native Delawarean and agree with your listing. It use to be that Delaware was the best kept secret….but now with folks from NJ, NY, & PA moving down because of low property tax and no sales tax, we are becoming way too popular. Many folks that are stationed here while in the Air Force complain at first…but it’s funny to see how many of them end up retiring here.
Pros: Beautiful summers, family oriented, great colleges/universities, decent nightlife and arts scene. For an outdoorsy person like me, just not enough time (or good weather) to avoid depression October through May.
Cons: Way too cold for too long! I don’t find it all that affordable – high housing costs, high taxes
Sarasota is a beautiful place and I love to visit. But for the average Joe/Jane is has not been an affordable place to live. This has mostly been a retirement and tourist town and before the recession housing was overpriced. They know people from the north pay more than the south and that is reflected in everything from groceries to restaurants to housing.
Obviously you have never been to Hamden, CT. That is a joke at 33.
How can Syracuse be in the top 100. I lived there for 2 years. The weather is miserable, the lakes are poluted, the economy dead… People are nice, but they don’t know any better. Come on, Syracuse????
I live in Prescott, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and it is great, super weather. There will be an exodus from Phoenix the next several years and that will make it a prime place for a business. We even have our own major concert/sports arena next door in Prescott Valley. A very growing area as a business owner I highly recommend it.
Spokane… Don’t you mean Spokompton because that is the nickname the rest of the state has given it. Come over to Bellevue or Seattle – much more fulfilling and fun.
Obviously, the person/people who did the research for this article did not include Anchorage, Alaska. We are America’s best kept secret!! Thank you!!
In response to fellow mentioning militias: it’s more fair to say Pittsburgh’s notably a melting pot of different peoples. You won’t see as much outrageous offensive lifestyles as you see in other liberal college towns. It’s safer due to the number with weapons, plus bridges narrow the entry. The greenery is beautiful, more park area than most towns. Foreigners note they never see the flyover greenery on CNN and are shocked at how much there is. Most residents avoid town’s snarled traffic in the bankrupt Democrat town, choosing rather the suburbs of Pittsburgh. 45 min north and south of town have industrial park areas (Southpointe is one) that are great business locations. The Governor handed 42 million to Comcast to come here, just enough for the execs, huh? That’s business friendly.
Kalamazoo, Mi is also a great place to start a business. It has an excellent State University and private college. Many medical science firms are opening their doors in Kalamazoo, MI. It also is the home of the Kalamazoo Promise.
I moved from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for work in 2006. When I get the chance to transfer back to Pittsburgh I won’t think twice, Pittsburgh is a wonderful city that offers high quality entertainment, a slightly laid back friendly life style and is very livable with a much more modest cost of living.
YES, Ann Arbor! To all you former U of Michigan grads now living elsewhere, come back and help get Michigan out of this “one state depression” category. You remember how fun it is to live there…
Thanks for including this great city on your list.
I am happy to see Madison fall out of the “TOP TEN”. This will stop all the folks from Chicago/Milwaukee from coming here and destroying our wonderful way of life.
Manchester, New Hampshire being number 13 doesn’t surprise me. It’s a great place to work, live and own a business. Lucky 13!
Access to Boston is easy and close (within an hour), the ocean is 30 minutes away and some of the best outdoor activities either spring, summer, fall or winter are just minutes away.
The quality of life is amazing and with infrastructure like our highway system, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, the Verizon Wireless Arena, Fishercat Stadium (baseball), soon to be built railroad corridor and the inexpensive tax burden here makes it all work. We may have high property taxes but the overall tax burden on the average person is the lowest in the country (no income tax and no sales tax).
New Hampshire is a place, especially Manchester, where you can create a business, find a niche that isn’t being covered or one that isn’t being covered affectively and do it better than the other person. It’s very easy to start a business here, those you need to get permits from are more than willing to bend over backwards to help you and guide you. You have to do the leg work but it’s so much easier when you’ve got the City and the State “on your side”.
Housing costs are down here just as they are anywhere else. You can get a great house for any price you want to pay. It’s not expensive!
The crime rate here is one of the lowest in the country, our healthcare system is the best in the country, we have one of the healthiest populations including children in the country.
All this and less than an hour from Boston, four hours from NYC or be able to fly anywhere in the eastern US to the midwest non-stop right from Manchester. Long term parking at the airport is $8.00 a day. How can you beat that other than it being free which you can get if you’re smart, get a friend to drive you the 10 minutes to the airport and leave your car at home.
And it seems it’s always getting better and better here. It’s a small city and state but one of the things I really do brag about to friends and family out side the region is that if you want to get involved and make a difference you can.
Kansas City is a great place to live!
With all the railroad tracks and the air base, Cheyenne is just TOO noisy!
Baytown Texas is one of the fastest and least expensive places to live in the South. If you don’t mind the occasional hurricane or two this is the place for you. Country town but only 30 miles or so from Houston and it’s great theatre and night life. There are professional sports teams, rodeo, and one of the best medical centers in the world within 45 minutes of Baytown.
Have lived in Brunswick for 30 years. Love the town, if not our long winters…the ocean keeps us warm in the fall while we enjoy a long foliage season after summer days on the beautiful beaches in the area. Lively, young: Bowdoin College sets a tone. The park in the center of town that we call The Mall, is a good place it sit and get a quick take: Farmer’s Market 3 season, skating in the winter. A good mix of ages. 1/2 hour from Portland, 1 from Portsmouth, and 2 from Boston. Amtrak coming to town. It’s a good life. You can always head south for a winter vacation…unless you are a skier, March is tough.
But ah, the rest of the year…and real estate has dropped a bit with news of the Navy base closing. Now’s the time. Bring your brain, and your family!
I’ve lived in Machester for 3 years and really like it. Always something going on but the “woods” are just minutes away. Love the airport, you couldn’t drag me back to Logan.
I was honestly kind of surprised to see Lemay here. I live here (and my family’s lived here for generations), and I really don’t see much going for it economically but the casino. Business is stagnant because the population is largely elderly and poor-ish, and the kids and grandkids who might have lived here mostly sprawled out to “nicer” western suburbs.
That said, Lemay isn’t some irredeemable pit or anything like that. Property costs are low, and the crime isn’t anything worse than you’ll see in the city proper. Also, like other really old inner-ring suburbs, Lemay was planned on an efficient grid, which makes it much friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists than the loopy, winding highway/road nonsense you see out in the atrociously planned hinterlands. So, with those bits in mind, I suppose my much-maligned home ‘burb would be a decent place to start a business. Now, keeping your business open – there’s the challenge.
Bend,oregon has imploded. Moving here to start a business or live would be foolish. Seventy percent of employement in this town was directly related to construction industries.
I’m hearing Bend has more foreclosures and bankruptcies per capita than anywhere in US.
businesses are there to stay in leesburg
Blue Ash can only be on this list because of the aggressive marketing of the city by the city government. Blue Ash is pro-business, residents second.
Pittsburgh has much more to offer than anyone can imagine. The arts, sports and universities provide more than anyone could possibly find time to do. The city and its rivers are beautiful providing a vast amount of outdoor activities. The cons on Pittsburgh are not true and should be clarrified. It’s the city school district which is sub-par but most in part to the massive decline in the city’s population, much of the cities population moved to the suburbs in 80-90s. The districts just outside the city limits are the best in the state by ranking, not Philadelphia. As for crime, if referring to statistical figures it’s one of the safest cities in the country. I left for four years and am very glad to have returned to this city in acceleration into the 21st century.
No place anywhere in the world beats Charlottesville, Virginia. We are the home of UVa, Bodo Bagels, the West Main Street Market and Gearhart’s Chocolate. One visit here and you wont want to go home…so please don’t come.
Compared to all the cities I’ve been to , Pittsburgh is surprisingly nice. Skiing, Whitewater, Caving, Biking, tons of golf, profession and college sports… Plus good, unique food, museums, old European culture, history, scenery, and many city organized events (that are FREE) in the summer. On top of that, a bus pass can take you to a world class amusement park, a couple water parks, shopping, inclines, river boats, and to excellent Universities. And, if you’re still bored: It is an easy drive to Chicago, Toronto, New York, and DC, plus many other big cities and Niagara Falls. I’ve been to almost every large American city, and don’t any other one, that packs so much in one package.
This might sound out there, but in all honesty, that city would do itself a huge favor, by adopting a new name.
(like St. Petersburg, New York or Chennai). I’ve seen it in person, I try to describe the city, and people don’t envision a beautiful urban skyline at all, instead they struggle to not envision ‘a pit’. It is a bad first impression, and some people never get beyond that.
I have been in Montana for 30 Years, originally from PA. I’m moving back to PA. This whole state (MT) dropped dead. I owned a small biz and it’s gone. It was based on the construction industry.. so go figure. Business owners beware! DO NOT MOVE to Montana anywhere unless it is to retire!
This area is a particular favorite of White Supremecits and anti government militias historically.
I relocated some 20+ years ago and find Durham, NC a wonderful place to raise a family, build a business and find a church home.
sioux falls is just as bad as fargo idiot
Sarasota is a beautiful city…but I lived there 10 years and went bankrupt with a small retail business there. The rich retirees there are rich for a reason – they don’t spend much money! Young people either work in restaurants or retail stores, etc.
Really you need to be rich or retired, or at best, both, to live in Sarasota. The arts scene is wonderful and there are many good restaurants although you can’t get into any of them without a long wait between December and April (snowbirds).
It is a beautiful town. White sand beaches and a downtown on the bay. But our annual taxes on a modest home (value was $225,000) in Sarasota County were over $4,000.
If you have money – or if you are retired – or if you have an art based business…Sarasota might be great for you.
Spokane is tagged under the “CONS” as gray skies. The editor has this place confused with the #1 pick Bellevue which is 250 miles away in the Seattle area. Spokane has the perfect 4 seasons. Please change your CON statement.
Owings Mills is the worst. Don’t move here.
Biggest “Sleeper” on the list is the “Rocket City”…
I noticed American Canyon on the list, very strange. I lived there for a year, it’s a nothing town. It’s a hole in the wall that grew rapidly with new homes that peaked and tanked. It’s on the way to Napa, that’s about the only good thing that I can say about it. The bad is, it’s just north of ‘almost bankrupt’ Vallejo (and some neighborhoods that are a little unsavory) and west of the characterless Nut Tree /Fairfield I80 corridor sprawl.
There is a nice view of the Napa River wetlands if you can get a home on the west side of town, but then it’s a bit damp and smelly sometimes.
The Safeway store is easy in easy out and has cheapest gas for miles. That’s about all I can say.
I have lived in many parts of the country and now currently reside in Cincinnati (Kentucky side). In addition to this article not mentioning Cincinnati, it failed to mention Covington, Paducah, Louisville, Lexington or Bowling Green as great start up towns. All of these town are gorgeous with thriving colleges and industry. You obviously didn’t do your research.
My husband & I started a small wholesale sales business in Salt Lake City, and did moderately well. SLC is predominantly Latter Day Saint & we weren’t, but being non-smokers who didn’t drink, and were tolerant of other faiths to a fault we thought we’d get along fine with the general populace. We were wrong.
We noticed that in business and socially the first question we were apt to hear is “Are you L.D.S.?”, meaning, “Are you Latter Day Saint?”. We have ample reason to believe that not being members of the church hurt us.
SLC is great if you are LDS,but occasionally socially & professionally toxic if you are not. If you love the outdoor sports such as fishing, skiing, snowboarding, rock or ice climbing, hunting etc., Utah is for you. It’s a physically breathtaking state, and there’s lots to do outside. As for the arts, Sundance is okay, & there is the odd art or cultural fair, but more often tha not, I found more culture in the yogurt in my fridge, than out and about in SLC. And on Sundays, everything is CLOSED. Not much fun there.
Blacksburg Va, is nice but they need to open up more jobs for people and small business / contractors here that need work… And I mean new business with spinish worker , It seens that its a very tight nit clan and new comers are not to welcome in the construction world and are business has sufferd greatly here.. Andrea
Nashville is a great place as is the surrounding towns to launch. I have launched three facilities in the area for different companies as their General Manager and all three are prospering today, the latest in growth due to diverse automotive ties and not laying it all out at Nissan which seems to be hurting some of the suppliers now (having all your eggs in one basket so to speak). The beauty of the area is ability to reach other areas in a rush. Only a few hours from so many major cities and access to so much is a plus.
The smaller towns surrounding provide a great labor force and having worked with the State and local governments on these 3 start-ups I can say to anyone thinlking of coming here be prepared to know what hospitality truly is. The state, county, city all are knowledgeable and cooperative and will actully make you feel WELCOME versus making you feel you have to earn the right to be here.
Tennessee is a great choice…
Conservatives appreciate people for who they are? I didn’t know tolerance was a Liberal/Conservative issue. Usually people just don’t like people who are different from them regardless of what they are.
Your comment on Spokane, Wa. having grey days is not all that true. You make it sound like it is grey all the time. We have sunny days all the time, especially in the summer, fall and spring. The summers are dry and we have beautiful evenings with no bugs.
I currently live in Folsom, CA and have lived throughout the US, as well as Germany and Mexico.
Folsom is my favorite place that I have lived.
The article forgot to mention that Folsom is near many excellent hospitals (University of California, Davis /Mercy/ Kaiser and Sutter).
In addition, there are 2 beautiful lakes in Folsom for sailing, fishing, and canoeing.
Bethlehem, PA and the Lehigh Valley is an excellent overall choice for living/working, but is an acquired taste. It still retains much of its “steel-town” roots (read: “blue collar”) but it has excellent access to transportation with the interstate cutting through it (and limited traffic congestion) and a great regional airport that has direct flights to some major cities. Taxes (property and county) are not cheap but housing is relatively affordable when compared to neighboring NJ & Philly suburbs. If you love rural, rolling hills and their associated recreation, then the outskirts will satisfy just about every craving (as will most of PA – which is just a beautiful state). If you’re looking for a culturally diverse, quasi-metropolitan influence -then it’s not going to be your bag.
I don’t know much about Boise. Montana is good for vacation. Wyoming is nice up north. Depending on what your hobbies are and if you feel comfortable with friendly people. I also liked Dewitt Mi. Family and community oriented. Education is important there and the schools seemed really good. Texas has a lot of friendly people too. Salt Lake is not just ok if you are a Mormon. I am not from here only have lived here for 3 1/2 years. It has been tough as an LDS person from somewhere else to get use to being hated so much. I don’t understand the division. Where I grew up we all from every religion spent lots of time together and were close. The first year I moved here I was yelled at cursed at threatened and at one job the women locked me out and would not let me in to work. They were in their 40’s. I am not angry at them I just wonder what happened to them that they hate LDS people so much. I am so sorry if someone has hurt or offended you here because I know what it is like to be an outsider.
Radnor PA? Are you kidding- have you seen the traffic & taxes in this area. This is the definition of Suburban congestion.
I truly doubt this should be on the list.
Virginia Beach is not a nice place to live, property and city taxes are very high. Crime is very high, police are not very responsive. Seems like every other minute emergency services vehicles are screeming buy with sirens whailing It is also expensive to live here. The one redeeming factor; the weather, the weather is great. The ground is also not very tenable, its a hard slimy clay, good black dirt cannot be found. Personally, I cannot wait to move back to Michigan or Florida.
Manchester, NH should be higher than 13th oon this list. Great schools, low crime and lots of activities. Love me some Manch-Vegas!
At Ames, Iowa, you can live next to one of the most beautiful university campuses in America, the 2,000-acre campus of Iowa State. The Iowa State Center is a beautiful complex of cultural and athletic facilities. A growing biotech business park abuts the campus. Main Street Ames is a thriving shopping district. Good restaurants abound. Business and industry is growing. It’s a great place to live and raise a family, in part of the Ames/Des Moines metro area.
I lived in the Madison area for 35 years after living outside Chicago for five years. It is a beautiful city whose natives are very friendly and very intelligent! The city however, has gone through a change where it is no longer safe to walk the famous State Street alone or even with one other person. Madison has a great police chief and force however the influx of down and out folks has changed this city forever. I would no longer encourage any student to come to the University due to the rising crime rate in the city and near campus!
Gainesville, Florida is a great place to live. The community is close nit and very accepting of new comers. I moved there on a whim 12 Years ago and hope I never have to relocate. The reviewer wrote that the lack of Airport was a big draw back. He must not have flown into Gainesville Regional Airport(GNV) which has jet service to Atlanta, Charlotte and many other locations.
For a small town Gainesville has some real big city flare, a thriving nightlife, and the community that includes all and rejects little. Heck, if you want your only 10 Miles from one of the best Drag Strips in the country.
Anyway, if you’re thinking about moving here, great. Just don’t forget your Orange and Blue…Go Gators!!!
Santa Monica is really great. Fun! Fun! Fun! But super expensive. Venice is really nice too as long as you are west of Lincoln Boulevard. Become a Venetian!!!!
The only good thing about San Antonio is the Riverwalk. Once you’ve done it once…the only other good thing is leaving.
I used to live in Asheville, NC and the pollution there is extremely bad. Asheville is a valley and traps pollution that floats in from midwestern factories. In Winter, every tree on every mountain looses is leaves and it is very dead brown and depressing. It is beautiful in Summer. With a population of 70,000 it has grown only by 10,000 since 1960. That should tell you something.
I disagree with Virginia Beach. Property Taxes are high, the beach government does not care about the navy( Oceana on BRAC list, Carrier going to mayport). City like many has a huge deficit but continues to invest in contractor projects(town Center??)
I agree, Timmeh!
I have lived in Billings, Montana for 5 years now moving from the South. I think the biggest problems in moving to any new area is the climate and the people in the area. Billings gets cold compared to the south so that was hard to adjust to. I never seen a door freeze shut before where it takes a blow-dryer and some heavy pulling to get open, lol. The people have slightly different mannerisms, attitudes, and humors than those in the south. It has taken some getting use to and learning how to adjust. I miss where I grew up but overall happy with the change, I do miss the night life the east has (if you don’t dig country music you don’t have much options).
I’d love to move to the Sarasota, FL area, but at #90 on the list I just don’t see it. Maybe I can buck the trend? Oh, and the same goes for Charleston, SC. Two amazing cities that make me wonder why people aren’t fighting to get there.
If Rockwall Texas isn’t in the top 25 on this list then you have no idea what you are talking about.
We moved to San Jose from S.F. for the high schools, expecting to leave when the kids finished school. My kids are ready to fly the coop but are hooked on staying in San Jose and so are we. The very diversified population (1/3 white, 1/3 Asian and 1/3 Hispanic are unified behind the Sharks hockey team, genuine friendliness and mutual respect. Downtown square has events from electric cars to blues and Latino dancing. People can dress up or down, young and old, everyone returns a smile or a kind word. From the Tech museum to the yearly car races where city streets are closed, San Jose has something for everyone. Although designated a “green city” you aren’t sniffed at for driving an SUV or eating meat. Perfect weather and attitude.
I spent most of my life living in Bradenton/Sarasota area. That area is not and will not weather this depression well. Beautiful beaches/tourism and education is all Florida has. I had to sell my home in Bradenton, value dropped from $295K to $125K. Property taxes more than make up for having no state income tax. Florida is NOT the place to start a business, not the place for young working professionals like myself. Many professionals with college degrees work in restaurants/ service industry.
Having relocated back to Colorado Springs, am doing much better now. Have a great job/ career, things can only go upward.
Perhaps in 40 years (if I’m so fortunate to live so long) I’ll relocate to Bradenton/ Sarasota. I’m sure the area will have been improved.
Local Mainers actually refer to the two seasons as Winter & the Fourth of July. August is not considered on it’s own.
I live in Stafford, TX – Go Stafford!
I’ve lived in Bend, OR ever since I moved here with my family in 1999. It’s a cool city with a wealth of outdoor activities, but the city council here is bent more on expanding our failing real estate market, which is the most overpriced anywhere in the nation. Traffic is far worse than it used to be, many of the high-end restaurants Bend is famous for are closing and being replaced by more commercial low-end restaurants, and few jobs are available for anyone, even those who’re high-skilled and experienced. Plus it has a large year-round tourist/out-of-state population, even during the winter. I don’t recommend anybody move here right now. In fact, I expect to be leaving here within a year.
SYRACUSE- Syracuse’s best years are ahead of it – it has a wonderful old history – much of the city has been renovated, it is smack dab in the middle of everything to do in the East – 3 hours from everything .. Montreal, TOronto, D.C. NYC etc. It is the only place in the US worth living where you can buy a home with your credit card .. Syracuse U has fantastic academics and sports – the weather is probably the worst in the US ..
I think where I live; Portland,Oregon is the best places I have ever ever lived. Albuquerque,Fairbanks,Ak Fayetteville, Ark,Denver, Houston, San Antonio,Seattle/Tacoma Las Vegas, Los Angles area and northern Florida. I will be moving back to Fayetteville, Arkansas where my aging parents reside. I promised myself when I graduated in 1981 I would never return. It belongs to a religiously oppressive state although it has dramatically grown and changed. The christians may be tolerant as they gossip behind your back but they will pray for you and that is a good thing isn’t it? Besides I realize change comes in as little as one person. So lookout Fay-Town I’ll be back!
boy there are a lot of anti-religious haters here. I keep reading that a lot of cities are great – except for the Christian zealots. I’m sure there aren’t as many – In your face militant Christians as we’re led to believe. Just that the people who don’t like religion, find anyone who practices it as militant or in your face. They’re the intolerant ones. I beg to say that the locations that have a religious presence are much more tolerant and peaceful than the actual militant liberal and blue cities that are going down the drains.
Closed minded conservative people? Liberals are much more close minded than conservatives. They don’t like your opinion, unless of course, it meshes with theirs. You’re another hater (liberal buzz word) of those who aren’t shallow minded like yourself. You all center your beliefs on race, gender as well as other top-level indicators. Conservatives do appreciate people for who they are. If you’re white or black and a dirtbag, you’re a dirtbag. If you’re white or black and a decent person, as a conservative, you’re a-okay with me. Omaha is a very conservative city, but this closed-minded bunk that comes from liberals is an insult. But that’s typical of liberals. It’s a good city to raise your kids. Not exciting, but a good city with very friendly, conservative people. The libs are a little kooky, as seen here with the enlightened Kate.
We recently moved to Raleigh from Philadelphia, easily the worst decision of the year, maybe the decade.
I strongly advise against anyone coming to this lifeless city.
Rochester benefits from the high technology core of Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, University of Rochester, RIT and Gleason Works as well as a multitude of small, start-up clusters in imaging, diagnostics, MEMS, medical devices and materials science. Seed capital is available for good opportunities and local talent levels are strong.
Cheyenne is not as isolated as the article states. How could a city on the intersection of two major interstates (80 and 25) and a major railroad (The Union Pacific). It also sits about 30 miles from the booming Front Range, and is 100 miles from Denver. Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Wyoming all sit within under an hour. Not to mention, Ft. Collins, only a half hour away is on the list too.
Leesburg is full of self righteous, sanctimonious bastards. It is a little town that thinks more of itself than the outside world does. The old town is real nice, but the rest of it is a nightmare. The Civil War battlefield you talk about is Balls Bluff and most of it was paved over years ago. There is just a small section left along with the National Cemetery. Gridlock wasn’t invented here but they sure have it perfected. Roads are horribly marked. Hate it.
Winters are long and painfull for business here.
I live in KC and have two small businesses here. The only thing good about KC is its cheap to live in and its airport is quick and easy to get out of town. We are the king of cheap and the queen of tire kickers. What a hick town we are. If it wasnt for travel to real cities my business’s would be out of business.
That is crazy talk. Two restaurants? Are you serious? Omaha has fabulous places to eat everywhere, everything from casual to fine dining, ethnic to American. This city has direct access to the best steaks in the world! Omaha has a variety of entertainment as well with a number of performing arts venues, local live music venues, not to mention holding one of the top concert venues in the world with the Qwest Center. This person clearly doesn’t know Omaha.
Corpus Christi is great !
American Canyon? Sounds so bucolic, “southern entrance to Napa”? Why not mention the very ugly commute that can be found any afternoon in any town that depends on Hwy 37 as an escape route.
We moved from SoCal to Oro Valley, AZ in the spring of 2007. It deserves these accolades. It feels like country in that there is space, good people and local government, yet is close the metropolitan Tucson, U of A, Airport and hundreds of good restaurants. Healthy people as well. Great air quality and a sense of community prevails.
I don’t understand how Orlando made the list. I lived there for almost 17 years and it was terrible as far as business climate and they only decent thing there is that weekends can be fun if your loaded and can afford to spend hundreds of dollars Friday and Saturday. No decent museums, or galleries. Moved to Atlanta not much better. I wish I could withstand the cold would move back to Boston. I miss home!
Colorado Springs– With Neo’s bias [May 13] a lot of room may be needed in the rest of the country. I suspect the many fine churches here are also a turnoff. I have lived here 22 years and love every minute of it.
They only list two cities in FL? Doral and Gainesville? One is largely ethnic and the other is a boring and sleepy college town with a lot of drinking and is in the middle of the state where an ocean isn’t close by. Boring. They should investigate more FL cities along the coasts. FL has the nice weather when the rest of the country is freezing to death for months. That should bring more businesses down here.
No. 52, Plainsboro, NJ,is not a good pace to launch a business, but it does have great schools. The area has a large conservative Indian/Asian demographic, upwards of 50%. Many of them do not participate in mainstream culture and buy contemporary clothes or eat at new restaurants.
How did Kansas City make this list? Who paid you? This is one of the most boring places to live. Unfortunately I’ve lived here all my life, done everything and now there’s nothing new to do. If you come from a small town and have nothing to compare it to, sure it’s good. The housing is overpriced, the public school system is ridiculous, and public transportation is atrocious. And don’t let me get started on the sports franchises–another joke.
Again, how did KC make this list.
I have lived in 5 states – CA, TX, LA, GA, IN. I LOVE Des Moines and all of the surrounding areas including West Des Moines. Moved back here to have access to anywhere in 15 minutes. I’ve lived in bigger cities. Des Moines metro is over 500,000. In the bigger cities, you may think you’ll go to all the free activities but when you have to drive forever and sit in traffic, you don’t go. Here, it’s the best of both worlds. Great live theatre, wonderful one-owner restaurants, great shopping, concerts, children’s activities. We’re in a recession but it hasn’t hurt Des Moines as hard as other cities. Come find out for yourself.
just a clarification on comments below.. Chuck S. Tumwater, WA…
I have no ‘fiends’ in state govnrnment.. they are indeed ‘FRIENDS’
.. no ‘pun’ was intended..
Statements by ’sara’ from Olympia (Nov 25) are unfounded. Olympia’s business failure rate is less than 1/2 the national average. The business resources here are better than anywhere else in the NW, including King Co (Seattle).. I have close personal fiends at high levels of state govrnment that tell me less than a 7% cut back in state labor force could be expected thru fall ‘09.. Maybe that was just a ‘rumur’ that sara heard..?
I have operated a service co. in Olympia, WA for the past 20 years and have found it to be very beneficial to be in a government ‘hub’.. The economy here does not fluctuate as much as the rest of the state..
i think ames, iowa city, and west des moines are the best choices.
Asheville has complete change into a nice metro town. It continues to develop by adding restaurants, stores, and etc. It does have draw backs such as the real state market. Taxes are 6.75%. Small business are favored here. Downtown offers alot of entertainment. I am opening a jazz supper club in a few months.
We flew in and out of Spokane for vacation at Glacier. We spent 2 days at the end of the trip exploring Spokane and we were delighted! We found a great, walkable downtown, wineries, musuem’s (The MAC was wonderful!) excellent variety of resturants and more!
What about Malibu? Santa Monica? La Jolla? South Florida? Hawaii?
I live in louisville,co. we moved our business from Boulder, co to louisville because Boulder was to expense for our manufacturing facility. Boulder(thirty square miles surrounded by reality). Louisville-great schools,no crime,close to Denver,affordable housing. do I need to say more.
I have lived in Greensboro for 56 years and I can truly say Greensboro is a sleeping GIANT. I feel good about where the city is headed. It is basically a people friendly city where change is on the increase. Join us!
no way….racial tension high intellegence low in DOVER DE
the biggest drawback to olympia, wa is high cost of living?? you must be joking. high business failure rates, provincial attitude, state govt. teetering on the edge of laying off 1/4 of the work force, suckzoid weather, provincial attitude, small-town backstabbing rumor-mongering, oh, and did i mention provincial attitude?
bleah. i don’t have a choice but to be here. i wouldn’t start a failure doomed business!
High cost of living, business and state income taxes high. Home values inflated due to being in NYC area
“ve lived in Fargo North Dakota for 9 years now. I moved here 1999 and loved it so much I bought my first house here. Coming from Colorado Springs where I could never afford more than an apartment I found the coswt of living here to be equal to if not below the wage scale here. Thi allowed me to finally grow. THe winters are long but bearable if you’re a Polar Bear. But I love it here none the less
Worcester is starting to re-do everything and it is begining to look nice. But there are stil some places like south main and some parts off of park ave that definitely need work. Plus once you get into worcester you basically get sucked in and never move out. You can also notice how worcester is starting to become a lot more like boston just way more affordable. Its give or take sometimes you love it and other times you can’t stand it.
As a resident of Naperville, the city needs to stop building and get back to the “small town” feel again… the traffic conditions will be a factor on our leaving the city. It has more than doubled in the last 10 years.
I lived on the Hill above Folsom actually looking down over it for a year and a half, I absolutely think Folsom is nothing special, nor even worth stopping at on a road trip. I have NO idea why it’s on this list!
I moved to Winston-Salem a year ago and I love it. i think it a great little city with a thriving art scene, and about everything you could want. Friendly people, affordable housing. the onyl thing that concerns me, which is a little contrary to this report is the rising unemployement rate. while the biotech, medical and other professional fields seem to be okay, the closing of local factories (Hanesbrand, RJ Reynolds and other manufacturing in the area) has increased the unemployement rate quite a bit recently. But overall it is a great place to live.
It’s pretty interesting to see what people see in different locations. Some hate, some love it. I prefer a milder climate, coastal, and green. As for crime, it seems to be pretty widespread, except for maybe Iowa. But I’ll take my chances on getting mugged. So all of you folks that love it in Michigan, New York, and other northern climes, please…Stay There!
I also prefer lighter traffic.
Thanks for the respond, I plan on moving soon. What is the third city in the triad.
We live in Colchester and we love it.
I’ve lived here in Omaha, NE all my life and LOVE it. I will never move. I’ve traveled all over the place but I’m always happy to come back home.
San Antonio, best place to live. Not really. We have been here for 8 years and can’t wait to leave. Highest County taxes (compare to the west coast). Crooked and corrupt city government, High crime rate. Mexican Mafia. Murders daily, home invasions, 98% from Mexico, very dirty. Schools have highest drop out rate in the nation. Gang violence evident in all areas. Few sidewalks, little community exercise, no place to ride bikes, hit and runs daily.
Good: Home prices are very reasonable, great style. People are nice. Lots of culture.
You all can stay where you are… just don’t come to Carlsbad, CA. Ever. Please… stay away.
sucks so anti business its unbealible .small town politics. very curuped!!!!!!
I lived in Montana too. Sucked!!! Not as bad as Boise/Nampa, where if you’re dumb enough to move there, it’ll take years to save enough money to leave. Salt Lake is OK if you’re a mormon, but I am not. I liked the Carolina’s, but I think Oregon is the best, as long as you stay out of the Willamette Valley (Bend is very nice, but it is pretty cold in the winter.)
Pittsburgh is one of the best places in
America. People are #1. Lived in Seattle
which was outstanding, only negatives are the cost of living and the weather.
Charlotte has great weather and the only
downside is all the historical structures have been torn down, but Charleston SC is close enough if you need a dose of history.
The dirty little secret about Salt Lake City is the out-of-control regulation, licensing, and multitude of ridiculous fees and other business-sapping minutia that are required seemingly to breathe air in Utah. I have never seen anything like it in my free American life.
What makes it exponentially worse are the endless recurring fines and penalties that one is hit with if you happen to miss any of the billion strands of this choking spider-web of regulation and government involvement.
Enter at your own risk; have your attorneys do extensive research before moving here, the cost of the legal hours will be far exceeded in prevention.
I’m so proud of the great progress made by Winston-Salem, especially the downtown area, over the past 15 years. Organizations like the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership have made the city such a great place to live, work, and play!
The article also mentions that there are so many various sources of funding, which is so true. There are so many foundations in the local area that are willing to take a risk on a good business plan, so come join us here in Winston-Salem!
WINSTON-SALEM is a great place to start a business! Greensboro (#50) is only 20 miles east which will allow this area (aka “Triad”) to grow…. FedEx will open a major facility (1 million sq ft+) in 2010 right in the middle of the Triad.
Great public schools, low taxes, low crime, arts, great home values, NO TRAFFIC, colleges and sports year round….
Come join us!
Bend Oregon
I Can’t wait to get out of here!!
Minneapolis City Council needs to get friendlier. I have two start-ups, one restaurant the other a an auto-repair shop, near my home. The City constantly harassed both of them, regarding various issues, and still is in the case of the auto-repair shop, during start up to the point that both of them just about gave up the process. The auto-repair shop is owned by an immigrant who didn’t ask for a dime from the City, State or any other sort of hand out. He is the model immigrant who just wants his fair chance and I now will only take my car to him as I find him so completely fair! He’s just the kind of business Mpls should want, and they constantly harass him about parking. You see, the problem is he’s too busy because he does too nice a job and the meager parking area they approved for him is too small! Way to make him feel welcome Minneapolis!
I have lived in Owings Mills before and i still have family who lives there. If you want your kids to grow up drug free and not spoiled then stay far away from OM. My high school graduating class had at least 85% using drugs and alcahol on a constant basis. I had a teacher who used to get hi in the parking lot and shoot up in her office. DEFFINENTLY NOT ONE OF THE 100 BEST PLACES TO LIVE!!!
Yes, Ilived there, and I appreciate your comments.
Um, I think that is a horrible over statement. Maybe the natives are unfriendly and the weather sucks on the western side of the state (Seattle/Tacoma), but not in central or eastern washington. I grew up there, and moved to California in high school. Talk about unfriendly locals! Spokane, WA is a great place with great people. If you don’t like winter, it may no be for you since the winter season is long. However, the spring, summer, and fall are fantastic!
Lemay, Mo? Is that the Lemay next to St. Louis, MO? Ya right. The whole St. Louis area including Lemay is a joke. There are more people and businesses running the coming. I guess if the businesses get in here quick they will have a huge pool of people to pick from at cheap rates with all the businesses closing and leaving town.
I grew up in Owings Mills. I left nearly 30 years ago. The Mall was not yet built. And true, the picture is not what Owings Mills looks like now, but was probably taken near the Sagamore Farm, in Worhtington Valley, or Green Spring Valley, were the rich folks live. All my childhood friends have moved from Owings Mills to Westminster or Hampstead, or to downtown Baltimore. It seems to me, if you want anything, you will probably have to drive there to get it, unless you choose Chartley, Country Club Estates or Cherry Valley (these names might have changed in the intervening years).
I am surprised to see it make CNN’s top 100 places to live.
I agree 100% with Helen S. We live in Oro Valley and are raising 3 children here. We love it! great schools, we feel safe and the views from all over town are beautiful!
Ann Arbor is a great trendy city. I live in NYC and found this to be a great and trendy city. Very clean and full of places to see!!!!
Minneapolis is pretty fabulous. Bright people generally honest except for your occasional billion dollar ponzi scheme. Agree with comment that it isn’t the most friendly place for outsiders, (anyone who didn’t go to Blake together).
Ha, Pittsburgh winters are not ULGY, I know first hand, I lived in Minneapolis for 2 years where winter starts in November and ends in May…yes, last year there were still piles of snow at the beginning of May. And the people are friendly and welcoming in Pittsburgh. In Minneapolis, we made no friends, no one was welcoming, they all hung out with their high school friends and didn’t branch out and these are people in their 30’s and 40’s!!!
Pittsburgh has potential, we all need to work together though!
VAAA BEACHH SONNNN
come check it out when you get a chance
Syracuse is a DUMP! I live there, if you want to live in a place full of segregation where the Chancellor of the University bullies city planners to finish her bidding than I am sure you would love it. Let’s not forget about the growing crime rate. THERE is no commerce here and downtown is starting to turn into a ghost town. This piece is not honest, they are hoping that some idiot will read it and move on in.
Eugene is a liberal hell-hole. For a place with a university (even if 2nd rate) you would think the average intelligence would be a little higher. Anti-business climate and a degree of stifling self-importance ice the cake (which is damp, very damp).
I live in Boise, and while I do love it here, the pay scale is the pits! It is practically unliveable to work F/T for the State of Idaho and own a house here. I agree that there are many advantages to Idaho, but fair wages aren’t among them.
Savannah is the worst place I’ve ever lived in forty years. It’s so racist, you could signs over water fountains tomorrow & have full on segregation. Crime is rampant & worse than NYC per capita. Yes, it’s beautiful, & draws lots of out of towners, but once they’re here, the attitude is ‘Go home, damned Yankee’. They fight change in this city with the same dedication that Olympic athletes train for greatness.
The Creative Coast should be sued for fraud, nothing sticks here unless your grandfather was a civil war veteran. The best thing that could happen to it would be a class 5 hurricane,… look at what Andrew did for Miami!
I spent 40 years of my life in Mahwah, NJ and then came to the Cincinnati area. Let me say it’s a real disappointment!
F.Bauerle Boone County KY
Pittsburgh PA is the best town to live in WE HAVE THE STEELERS AND THE PENGUINS
I lived in Savannah for 2 years and loved it even though there was no Borders or Starbucks or the kind of retailing like Banana Republic that I like. But, I was getting my Masters and in historic preservation but what a place to study historic preservation. I did not find any racism there and did walk the streets at night.There is a problem with homelessness in the downtown area but hey, there are tons of cities and communities with homelessness issues.
Omaha is a great hidden secret. While financial and economic quakes strike the coasts with regularity, by the tiem they get to the middle of the country, they have largely dissipated. The start-up community here is incredibly strong, with a major incubators and lots of talented professionals. Combine that with a well heeled population, and you have a hidden gem.
I lived in FLorida for 24 years, half in the Sarasota area, and half in Orlando. Sarasota is beautiful, and an idyllic spot to live. VERY retiree oriented, although moneyed retirees. Orlando, is a one-horse town not to be confused with Miami or other media-generated perceptions. If you like humidity, bugs, and apartment-like living (you hardly ever know your neighbor since they are always changing) then it’s OK. No one wants to pay much because you are living the Florida life. If you have to be in Florida, go to the coasts, preferrably the West coast.
YES, I WOULD AGREE, MISSOULA MONTANA IS GREAT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. PLUS THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA BUSINESS SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE BEST. IT IS ABLE TO COMPETE ACROSS THE BOARD. I HAVE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE…GREAT PLACE!!
Gainesville FL. is a clickey little college town with dedlusions of grandure. Anti-business anti-groth stifeling regulations. Do you know what you get when you mix a small town with a bunch of academic wants to bee? Gainesville.
I live about 30 miles from Durham and I can tell you from experience Durham is a terrible place to live. Crime and drugs are horrible.
There is a top school in Raleigh, it’s North Carolina State University. It might not be the absolute top overall compared to our nearby rivals (Duke and UNC) but it has one of the best Engineering programs on the east coast. Raleigh is a growing town and the population changeover is so rapid due to it’s large universities that the sense of community has some trouble getting traction. Launching a business here is great considering the 3 top ACC schools pumping out cheap, talented and eager workers by the thousands. Settling here is a different story in terms of community and infrastructure problems, the daily commute has become a huge issue causing location to be more of a volatile determinant of business success.
Don’t go to Washington State–the natives are NOT friendly and the weather sucks!
Carlsbad, CA. is a wonderful place! The people are friendly, educated and polite on crowded freeways.
The promanade along the beach is great, no sand needs to get between your toes (unless you want it to do so).
The only con–pollution from L.A. sometimes drifts into S.D., even out over the ocean.
A train runs close to the ocean, that is not good since it can run right next to your home too.
I’d live there in a heart beat.
Minneapolis (and the whole twin cities area) HAS to be the best place to live in the United States. Minneapolis has a very very stable economy and has very few problems.
Sure they’re are your bad neighborhoods, but vs. every other major city, Minneapolis doesn’t even come close to scrubby.
And, anybody can afford to live here, whether you make 45k a year, or 750k+. And, you can actually breath here, no smog in the twin cities!
And the Mall of America, that seals the deal.
Minneapolis is may be one of America’s best kept secrets. Sure its cold during the winter, but this city is awesome! Great for singles, or couples. Everyone that comes here is impressed! Great schools, no major traffice, great public transportation, sports teams, etc. What else could you want?
I can’t believe Raleigh made the list. What a hole! And the infrastructure thing…yeah, huge problem here. I work 20 mi. from my job, and it takes me an hour to get there every morning. Traffic is a huge problem. Water supplies are too small for the huge influx of homes that they have built. The job situation is meager unless you’re in IT, software development, or any other tech/engineering field.
And there’s no top university in Raleigh.
And the downtown renovation? Poorly managed and overly hyped. This is not a great place to live if you’re single, but, arguably, is probably decent for families and married couples.
I believe anyone from any of these areas should know that this is BS. I personally am from New Mexico, w/Santa Fe listed as a population of 65K(#17). This number alone is so out of whack that the whole article reaks of BS.
I live relatively near Spokane, WA. It’s a great place because it is a decent sized city, but still maintains a small town feel. To me, the downside is the winter snow, and the gray skies aren’t an issue at all. It’s fairly sunny all year round.
Iowa City
I lived there for four years. Attended school there and have moved about 40 times in my life, so far it remains at the top of the charts for me. It’s clean, progressive, affluent, and host to a multitude of amenities. Whatever you want is there, and you don’t have to fight traffic to get it.
Bars, restaurants, one of the best shopping malls in the country, and a top university make Iowa City a killer place to live. Oh, and the cost of living is relatively cheap when you consider the package you’re getting. If I wasn’t in the industry I’m in right now, I’d move back.
I have lived in Sarasota for 11 years and can honestly say that you will have a hard time finding a better or more active arts community anywhere. For a small city, Sarasota has everything from opera, to film festivals, to symphony, museums, street fares and tons of beach. I check AnythingArts.com for a calendar of the arts and am only limited by time and money… not options.
Well, its been nearly 25 years thado It the worlds greatest industrial city was brought to its knees. The unmemployment rate at the time was 25% and ofcourse the country watched as this once proud industrial giant fell to its knees. What city do I speak of , PITTSBURGH PA. Pittsburgh continues to reinvent itself into a world class city. I have travelled all over America living in Manhattan, San Francisco , and many others but honestly I choose Pittsburgh as my home for its amazingly low cost of living, incredible universities and colleges, its art community and its world class health facilities.
I am from a small town outside of Iowa City. I ran from the area when I was 19. I currently reside in Los Angeles and have been here for 11 years. I visit Iowa City frequently and love it! Iowa City has a very open and liberal community(very different from the rest of Iowa). In the last 10 years fabulous restaurants have opened and there is a very lively arts scene. If you can stand the subzero winters … I highly recommend it! If my husband were not in the entertainment biz, I would move back in a heartbeat!
South Florida is great if you have money already. Not a easy place to make money. The income level of south florida is low and with large communities from other countries it is very hard to work pricing and advertising models. The communities a unique way of purchasing and way of doing business. Not a easy market out side of Tourism.
Omaha is home to the Strategic Air Command ?
SAC was inactivated June 1, 1992.
Have you been to Colchester? 1. We have sidewalks, and 2 we are outside the biggest city of VT.
Although VT is mostly anti big corps, we are for the little guys thats why it would be a great place to launch a business.
Hello, We moved here 7 years ago and this place has not stopped growing. It is very crowded & expensive.
Missoula like montana has a lot to offer however good jobs that pay half way decent are few and far between. Cost of living is high, pay is low. The “music scene” is far from great and has gone doun hill in the past decade. Outdoor activites are dampned by long grey winters and summers are always cut short due to wildfires. Smokey summers, grey winters and most of all the WORST drivers in the US. Taxes are far from friendly and even more unfriendly to home owners and business owners. Limited liquor licenses per county closes off many oppertunities including dining and quality of life. Very unfriendly to non-local businesses and customer service is nonexistant. Located far from a major airport causes travel issues not only in the winter but all year long. Spokane and Billings are both over three hours away which are not easy drives in any weather. Try another city. Public schools are far from the national average and lacking public funding which leads to workers with little skill and therefore unhireable.
The best opportunity isn’t in Kansas City proper, but about 25 miles northeast in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Google it and you’ll see.
Does anyone ever look at the government websites public posting info on individual communities and the average and median income vs cost of living and average disposable income? Is this type of article based on no intimate or even immediate knowledge seriously a deciding factor for some? This is hardly useful. It’s the opposite of informative with all sincerity it’s due. Sorry CNN, I expect more from my news media, it seems like a random search on any search engine could be more useful and/or inspiring.
Hamden, CT? Well it’s not the part of Connecticut I think most lovely, artistic, historic or well even that green? Connecticut is a far-hit and far-miss state, it’s breathtaking or the dilapidation over time is sad and feels criminal. Hamden is not where I would go for anything including shopping, dining or site seeing. I have noticed that it is quickly sprouting mini-malls full of insulting discount type shopping stores and chain eateries that are not typical in building a lasting community economy. If I was at all bright I might think a 24 hour venue with any creative or entertaining value would really do well here in the state where everything closes at 8pm. But hey that’s just a thought from an observer living in a Connecticut Ivy League college town. What is special in Hamden, in Connecticut standards this observer sees nothing.
I grew up in SLC, Utah and it is a visually beautiful place and it is also primarily LDS. Growing up there 15-20 years ago was rough. I moved away at age 15 to suburb of Las Vegas, NV. Guess what primarily LDS. My family generations back all from SLC and not LDS but still we have all managed and flourished most staying put in the safety of the valley the mountains provide. My cousins are beautiful well rounded young people, the education system is very progressive for those blessed with brains. Everywhere you go you can find yourself a minority or majority. Who cares! Life is about learning to live in harmony with yourself as well as others. Diversity builds character! In SLC I focused on school and my childhood passions and I was more than fine, in Vegas I was the girl that choose not to gamble or party and focused on my course of life, now in New Haven I still focus on what I am and do have rather than what I am not (no degree from Yale, no masters degree from anywhere) I more qualified than ‘most’ college grads at my profession because I have lengthy experience in my chosen field not just a studied knowledge of said skills. What I have found across the country universally is that if I just do what I love and try not to focus on what I am not or the negative aspects of my surroundings I am happy and successful (both in spirit and in terms of my bank account). My last visit to SLC was a nice surprise the Mormon influence is still there but it is less ‘in your face’ and the community not focused on religion is thriving; artists and brilliant community theater, culinary excellence all of these and more are just stronger and more vibrant! Life in SLC is more than LDS or be persecuted and to say otherwise is novice. Just like life in the Las Vegas area is more than gambling and 24 hour drinking and partying (people live and work here too, outside of Casino’s! I don’t honestly know a lot of job arenas that are not easier to get into if you know someone in the company or field. Is it a surprise that church goers know one another and can offer recommendations? (No I have no religious affiliations) The majority of jobs I have held I got from a friend recommending me for the position. Everything really comes down to who you know not only what you know. Hey I know no one in CT and have a great resume but I still am searching for a job near home. Where as I do know some New Yorkers and have several offers and prospects there. Go figure. I would imagine a when starting up a brand new independent company a person might look into the area in question and find what people appreciate and not saturated that one might even have a passion for. Supply and demand is true in many definitions! If a business opened it’s doors in SLC the LDS would not likely boycott it unless they found it offensive in a manner in which a business owner would never want to offend the majority of population surrounding said business. Kind of basic. Be kind to your neighbors, do what you love, focus on the positive aspects in life and maybe life anywhere isn’t all that bad.
I have to agree I recently moved to the East Coast and visited Plainsboro, NJ wjen visiting a friend and his family. It is stunning and lovely. The family I stayed with had lived in the area for over 30 years and was comfortable monetarily speaking but not the obvious and obnoxious wealthy sort that are obvious in parts of the area. Still they were happy and loved the community. The children raised in the area I met were beautiful down to earth individuals. Perhaps the most amazing aspect for me was meeting people that were so welcoming and not the typical ‘East Coast” snobbish type that makes up large parts of these small and varied states. I got a lot of the history of the neighbors and the neighborhood during this visit. It’s a quaint and lovely place with charm and elegance but not too stuffy. This is a place I would consider living when I decide it’s time to raise a family. Beautiful!
True American Canyon’s downtown is not up to par but they have this little thing called San Francisco, Sacramento, Sonoma, Napa, and other beautiful areas within arm’s reach. The con should be the cost of living, taxes, and commute for people to work. It’s a beautiful area otherwise and people in California are willing to spend.
Yes Omaha’s affordable but for businesses and residents, the taxes are high.Google is 10 minutes from Omaha but it’s location is Iowa because of taxes.The politicians in Nebraska are too conservative and do not want to expand.That’s why I would never return there.
Are you crazy? English is a second language here. In Doral you are surrounded by some of the worst areas of Miami. It’s unfortunate. You had better be bi-or trilingual (Creole) if you want to run a business of any kind here. Taxes and cost of living, including Windstorm Insurance are through the roof. Who came up with this list. This listing makes me doubt every other city mentioned. Yikes!
You must have been smoking some Chimayo product when you wrote about Santa Fe. In case you didn’t realize it, the reason the population doesn’t grow is that all the “new” businesses are just filling the gaps left by the many failing ones. Santa Fe is a third-world environment — a few very rich folks riding on the backs of the generally subsistence level masses. As one of my neighbors (when I lived there) said: “Everyone here has either 3 houses or 3 jobs.” The social climate is just as hostile as the natural environment: allergies, stickers, and even the junipers throw “smoke” that is toxic. Santa Fe may be a great place to live there if you arrived in the 16th Century, but as for the 21st, just come with lots of money and prepare for your new “friends” to fleece you out of it. Enjoy Santa Fe — go there as a tourist, have a romantic time, and go home. But as for a business climate, just grab your ankles.
Only one city in Illinois on the list, Naperville, and it may well be the wealthiest place in the state.
And I was wondering when people were going to start noticing how competitive North Dakota is.
Re: Stefon in PGH – If everywhere you visited in America is a ‘crap hole’ as you put it, it probably is time to return to your native country as you said. You’ve obviously been to places that were in your comfort zone.
Ahhhhh…..He wasn’t talking about Pittsburgh!!! State College is 2 1/2 hours away, and I heard it is a nice area to live. I live near Pittsburgh and it’s at least 2 hrs from State College which is really nice there. You might as well say you live about 3 hours away from Columbus Ohio as well.
I’m suprised no location in Alaska made the list. It is one of the few states that still has a booming economy, and we still lack many of the businesses the lower 48 has to offer. Sure we have cold winters, but (Anchorage) is mild in comparison to locations in some of your Minnesota picks. With the growth of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, I think there should be some honorable mention for Wasilla, AK.
Salt Lake City has some very nice areas, like Sugarhouse. But the air quality can be poor (worse yet in winter, when there is often a thermal inversion, bottling up smoke and exhaust near the ground), and traffic on I-15 and other major arteries is a mess. Wages are low, and have not kept up at all with rising housing costs.
My biggest complaint, however, is the stranglehold the Mormon Church has on Utah in general and Salt Lake in particular. Mormons all too often are some of the most bigoted, narrow-minded, cliqueish people I’ve ever met. Hiring practices can be sneakily and silently stacked against you if you’re not LDS.
If you want to find out what it’s like living in a theocracy and having to kow-tow to the LDS ayatollahs, try Utah and Salt Lake City. I’d much rather live in a more diverse place where people don’t care what religion I belong to, but instead value me for my abilities and my character.
Carlsbad, California has one big con that you did not mention. The housing costs in Carlsbad and in the surrounding areas are very high. It is a very nice place though.
Blue Ash ??? It’s an 80’s style office park surrounded by dated McMansions and 35MPH speed traps. I can think of at least 10 other Cincinnati neighborhoods that would make for a better startup location.
Much of the same could be said for Zionsville, IN as it relates to Indy.
Any body has any comment for DETROIT michigan?
While Plainsboro is a relatively nice place to live it has — like all of New Jersey — expensive real estate and out of control property taxes. It has a highly regarded school system that it shares with neighboring West Windsor. It also has a Gestapo police force that harasses motorists. As far as a good place to start a business I disagree; there are very few small or medium sized businesses in town. No gas stations, only a few banks and just a few basic stores. The new town center will add a few more amenities but it’s not the nostalgic downtown that some would have us believe. And Merrill Lynch, after a protracted legal battle with the town over disputed taxes, has relocated to Hopewell, NJ, about 15 minutes away (unless you go via Route 1 and then it’s about 45 minutes.) Blackrock (of which Merrill owns half) has taken over their corporate campus and Bristol-Myers Squibb remains.
have not been to many places in america that was not either a crap hole or priced so high as to keep it from becomming a crap hole..time for me to return to germany where i am from
sounds like a place to move with my family. what is nthe housing costs, and general cost of living?
We moved to SALT LAKE from Miami Florida 3 years ago. We grew up in Miami and that was all we knew. My husbands job brought us here and we took a leap of faith. What a beautiful state! The views are breathtaking and downtown is so clean! We are not LDS but we have been blessed to live in a beautiful neighborhood and have the best neighbors and friends! We do not have small children so I cant comment on the LDS vs Non-LDS children freindships. We love it here in this friendly and beautiful state and have more friends in the 3 years here than we ever had in 30+ years in Miami.
We could not have made it without our new friends and neighbors! PS… we dont ski but love the change of seasons!
I like Bellingham. 300+ islands to get lost in. 10,000 foot plus mountain hovering over the city, sailing, scuba diving, snow skiing, waterskiing, hiking, alpine mountain climbing, University, and situated between two big cities if you need some culture. Life is good.
Omaha is a frozen s**thole. There are two restaurants. No sports. The people are nice.
I’m glad to see Durham on the list. As someone who was raised here, I can say that I have grown more proud of my city. Sure, the doubters always look at the high crime rates, but I think there are far more positive aspects in Durham. Downtown is taking advantage of its “tobacco warehouse” personality and offers a uniqueness that no other mid-sized city has. And Duke University / Healthcare is in the planning stages of new expansion and development.I truly believe that in less than 15 years, people will see how far Durham has come.
Salt Lake city is a great place to live with few draw backs. One of the main ones is the environment the non mormon relocators and children of non-members move into. Mormon communities can be quite un-friendly to those that don’t believe the way they do. Often not allowing their children to associate with non-memeber friends. However, as a member of the Mormon (Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints) faith, and having moved around the west and the bible belt as a child and adult, I’ve found that same mentality towards me from the locals in other states. Human nature to be with your own. But, it can be hard on the kids who feel lonely. Membership can have it’s priviledges.
I am sorry to burst anybody’s bubble about Reno Nevada. However, the fact is the cost of living, especially housing costs, has far outpaced wages. The high costs of every service, from utilities to car licensing (& insurance) far outweigh not paying state income tax.
The population tends towards high transience. Good employees are as rare as good wages. After all, the majority of jobs are in the low paying service industries.
Rush hour traffic rivals much bigger cities. Plan to spend an extra half hour just to cross town!
Gang and drug activities are comparable to many larger inner cities (per capita).
Since Reno is in the high desert, there is great concern for future water reserves. Increasing demand on this commodity often causes shortages in the summer. Plan on brown yard grass every third year. Expect a rate increase just as often.
I have never before lived in a place where so many people have drug, drinking, gambling, violence and prostitution (legal nearby) issues.
Furthermore, most area schools are below average. This is not a good place to raise a family!
I have lived and worked in northern Nevada for ten years and simply CANNOT believe anybody, particularly CNN Money, would purposely choose this area for a top 100 list. They sure didn’t ask anyone I know!
Danville, California 92596 is a wonderful place to live. I was fortunate to live there for several years and wish I was there today. If it becomes possible to relocate once more in my lifetime, it will be to Danville, CA where I still have friends. My heart may be in San Francisco, for I love the entire San Francisco, East Bay region, however, my soul still resides in Danville, CA. The sycamores, the mountains, Mt. Diablo, the shops, Mr. Lino, Cafe Esin, the surrounding communities and especially the people and friends. It’s all there.
Salt Lake is a nice city in many ways. The people are friendly and the recreational oportunities are out of this world. There is a definite four season climate that seldom becomes severe.
My main problem is that the wages are poor and the cost of housing is ridiculous. The only way you make a good living is if you are a doctor, lawyer or you are lucky enough to work for an out-of-state firm that pays non-Utah wages. Yes the Mormons run the place but at least they care about their community. Liberal would be surprised to find out that SLC is not a cultural wasteland by any means. There are many worse places to live.
Having been born over 60 years ago in worcester, and lived in the area all but a few years of military service – it is sad to see someone dwell on the poor aspects of any city – worcester with 10 colleges, Mechanics Hall, the Hanover center, sports at the DCU center and much more present diversity at it’s best – I am sure this writer will be berating NC in a short time
I was born in Worcester and lived in Oxford till I was 12 at which time the family moved to Florida. Daytona area. Oxford is truly small-town. Consider this the experience of someone who perhaps had idealized Central Mass. and it did not come close to the remembrances.
I managed to get back to Worcester once in 20 years. Yet I was disappointed by reports by relatives who visited there, of the condition of things. Aside from those reports I once contacted an artist who did work for the city/state. He expressed his disappointment that things seemed to be left to natural disrepair; when he was involved there it was looking promising, he reflected, but not over time, he told me.
Worcester had earned a bad reputation for a few reasons, notably a do-nothing governmental leadership for perhaps decades. I cannot say enough about how encouraged I am by the report that leadership is not leaving the old city to collapse. So, keep up the work, current gov’t and business leaders!
Billings all the crime of Detroit and make $4 an hour.
Cheyenne Wyoming is the best. You forgot to mention there are many draft dodgers and lesbians here too. Take me and my daughter for example.
How did you pick these places–A DARTBOARD. I have been to many and they suck.
scottsdale Arizona is a shit hole. Dry and full of silicone.
I love Iowa City. I am a graduate of U of Iowa and lived in that city for many years. But to say that Iowa City is better than SF Bay Area for startups is, well, CRAZY! Quick! How many startups can you name from Iowa City?
Silicon Valley and its surroundings continue to be a hotbed of innovation. That is something your article has completely forgotten.
Huntsville Alabama and the surrounding area is truly a great place to live. Being currently stuck in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I have some perspective on the situation. Don’t forget, with Division 1A college and a minor league pro team, it’s also known as “The Hockey Capital of the South”
GREAT places to dine!!!!!!
Billings is a wonderful city with a lot of things to do and great opportunity to accomplish whatever it is you need to do. Billings has great shops and attractions, with plenty of outdoor scenery. She has cold winters yes, but the low wages compared to let’s say Kentucky or somewhere like that is not as low as you would think. Overall I personally think Billings is a great place to start a life and even a small business with a possibilty to become even bigger. Billings really is a city of opportunity.
I was born and raised in Worcester. Growing up in the seventies and eighties, the majority of my friends parents were upper middle class individuals who worked hard and did very well for themselves and their families. Unfortunately many people have a negative perception of Worcester as a apathetic low-income town. However, if you really know Worcester, it has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods that rival any upscale area in Massachusetts with homes at 1/3 of the price. In addition, Worcester has a very well respected Art Museum, Antiquarian Society and Horticultural Society. The first Ryder Cup tournament was held at Worcester Country Club. And, most importantly, the famous yellow smiley face was created by a Worcester office employee.
DURHAM HAS REAL CRIME AND GANG PROBLEM.
The police force acts impotent at times to lesser crimes (like breaking & entering, which IS a felony).
The once best schools have gone by the wayside due to gangs.
The city/county governemt (combined) has a constant host of proven corruption; and plays the RACE CARD whenever challanged.
If you’re seriously thinking about this place, LOOK WAY BEYOND any “fluff” photos.
Many have left. Many are trapped.
Your really going to P__ O__ a lot of Bronco’s with your comment. The U of I is in Moscow. Boise has Boise State.
The Boston area IS unaffordable, forcing people, like me, out west to Worcester. That doesn’t mean that Worcester HAS to change. The people will come whether Worcester wants them to or not. The Worcester natives do tend to be a bit blue in collar and frame of mind, but that’s changing as quickly as Worcester is. Worcester is a quickly evolving city because it wants to become world class. It is, in fact, very centrally located to other major cities, notably Providence and Worcester. And the links to those cities are growing day by day. There are plans in the works to add even more public transportation to and from Boston, and there is a movement in Worcester, started by the Sierra Club, to reopen up and revitalize Worcester’s portion of the Blackstone Canal to Providence. In fact, if you are in the area, there is a Canal Fest on September 6, where you can learn all about the effort. For more information on the street festival (which will include a 75 foot long, 18 foot wide, 4500 gallon recreation of the canal), go to: http://blackstonecanal.org. For more information on the canal revitalization project, go to: http://www.freetheblackstone.org. Worcester is going prime time, and that may not suit those that like the rural seclusion of places like Indian Orchard, but for the rest of us … hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
I cant believe that spoke-compton was rated. I guess if the aroma of homeless people and meth-shelters is a positive thing then perfect. Venture two minutes outside of the city and you have one nice neighborhood which is the south hill which only doctors and lawyers can afford those 300K houses. Spokane sucks and never buy a car from those gypsy ass people either because they run the those cold mean and cruel streets of shitstownville.
Virginia Beach should be rated much higher than 14th as there is so much more potential here than one could ever imagine.
Hold your nose? maybe you haven’t been in a few years. I visit Savannah frequently and think it is one of the most beautiful cities in this country and haven’t had trouble with the pollution/smell in years.
I have lived all over the United States, and traveled to almost every state, and Montana is the best place to live, have fun, and enjoy people. I now live in Oregon, big mistake – I am in the process of living Oregon and going back to Montana.
nashville in an incredible place to live. great food, atmosphere, overall just a great place.
Please… who writes this stuff???
I want to move to Asheville to escape the Hell called New York. I have visited Asheville numerous times. While I do agree that the area is culturally rich, it really is a retirement area for the very rich coming in from Florida and the North, who incidentally are displacing many people who can no longer afford to live there. Unfortunately, I need to find good work for several years and I don’t believe there is much to attract a professional workforce, other than medical and hospitality services for the rich folks. Are you sure you didn’t get Asheville confused with the eastern part of N.C.?
Fargo, ND, you’ve GOT to be kidding!!!! Have any of you ever BEEN to Fargo, or the midwest for that fact. There are more cows than people. You mention only 250 miles to larger communities.. ah, yes with nothing else between the two (literally) but prairie grass, farm land and cows. I wouldn’t think that would be the ideal place for a new business that needs to thrive (unless you’re a computer programmer).
State College is a great community for business, but also for family. I moved here from San Francisco to marry and start a family, and I have no regrets. There is vibrant culture for a community of this size, and access to nature spots is very good. It is pretty accessible to most major cities, and the weather is a bit warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the major eastern metros. All in all, it may lack some of the sizzle, but it’s one heck of a great steak.
I think you are being alittle to generous putting Pittsburgh in the top 100. Pittsburgh is now the 59th largest city even below Wichita, KS and the population continues to decline. The politics is standing in the way of any turnaround along with the union issues. Please let me know what I am missing since at this point I am still a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa
Novato does not have very good high schools and also not many good restaurants in comparison to the nearby cities
Worcester, Mass. is making strides to change, that’s true, but it has to because Boston is so unaffordable. Boston has a housing shortage which is forcing people to move farther and farther out just to be able to afford living expenses.
There are many parks and great Colleges/Universities in Worcester but the locals still have a “small town” mentality. Many have never been outside of Worcester, never-less outside of Mass. There’s very little for teens to do and downtown closes early. It’s not a night-life friendly place. Even the restaurants downtown close early. The school system here also leaves much to be desired. Unless you can afford private school, it is not a place for children. (talking from experience with my son starting school there)
Moving from Texas, I lived there for 12 years while working in Boston and attending college. The transportation system is great. You can get anywhere in the city and easily to Boston. But the culture there is typical New England close-mindedness to change. If you don’t mind working somewhere else and continuing to pay for the big dig in your taxes year after year, you may enjoy it. Being centrally located in New England, in a couple of hours you can be in any of the surrounding states.
Rochester NY is quite a letdown. High crime, corrupt politicians, and poor business.
**HOWEVER, if you invest your business in the suburbs of Rochester (such as Penfield, Fairport, Pittsford, and Perinton) your business should perform quite well! In the suburbs, you have that small town atmosphere which presents much potential! People here like to support the local businesses! If you come here, we have a ratings system by the people where they rate their favorite type of business (such as favorite burger restaurant, favorite auto parts, favorite salon, services, you get the picture). When the newspaper releases the polling results, you will come to find that local business beat out nation wide business giants in the pleasing of customers. With median house prices from 150k to 200k and people making steady incomes (50k-100k), people are majorily financially stable. Crime is never a problem, we get our occasional 100 degree days, but the weather is just plain comfortable. No worries of hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, winters never produce large, earth shattering threats. In conclusion, Rochester’s suburbs are certainly places to consider.
Ann Arbor is a great city, although its expenisve to live in, matched with rather low wages and a struggling economy. there are a few surrounding towns that are more affordable, probably worth the commute if you work in ann arbor. Overall its an energetic, safe, fun and awesome city
Northport is really nice…very scenic. The people are lovely, too. It’s got that small town feel in a suburban setting.
I have lived in Fargo, ND for the past seven years and I love it! It is not too big and not too small. It’s just about perfect. And believe me, you get used to the winters.
I have lived in the Twin Cities for 7 years already, and every year it gets better. Minneapolis is a city that has been growing in a very balanced way, and you can plan long term if you want to own a business there. Taxes are not that bad, considering the great infrastructure that exists.
San Jose has to be one of the safest big cities in the U.S., it also has some very beautiful areas to live such as Saratoga and Los Gatos. One of the best kept secrets in the U.S.
I agree! Venice and North Port are even worse! Get out now!
Are you an American or foreigner living in Ann Arbor?? It’s been ruined!
I grew up on the 128 Belt in the Boston area, and I moved out here to Worcester a few years ago. I’ve got a gorgeous condo in a beautiful old three decker. The price I paid even then, before the housing market crunch, still can’t buy me half the size anywhere in the 495 belt area. I’ve got wood floors, original wooden fixtures and pillars, three bedrooms … my condo is wonderful. I live right on Vernon Hill, in just about the center of the city. In the middle of the night, I can hear a pin drop. The city has poured untold amounts of money into revitalizing Worcester. Last year they redid my street and my sidewalks. Highway projects have finished, and they are putting in trees and shrubs and grromed lawns in place of construction vehicles. Worcester has numerous trails available in the numerous green areas throughout Worcester, and Worcester is working hard to make people more aware of this great treasure. Worcester is also working hard to create bike paths and urban walking trails. Run-down areas are quickly giving way to new construction. The Worcester Tornadoes are a baseball team that is enjoyable to watch and really affordable to see in person. The Hanover Theater is finished, and it is spectacular. The train station has been renovated, and it is dazzling, like the new courthouse is. The Independence Day celebration at East Park every July 3 — with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra playing live in accompaniment with a spectacular fireworks display — is far more enjoyable than any of the displays I’ve been to on the Charles in Boston. Heck, the lieutenant governor is the former mayor of Worcester, and he is heavily vested in its revitalization! There’s only one thing keeping Worcester from becoming a world-class city, and that’s naysayers like those that have misrepresented Worcester on this comments board. Worcester just needs people and businesses to believe in it. This summer, spend a day in Worcester. Visit the numerous museums … the art museums, the Higgins Armory Museum, the Ecotarium, and others. Go to some of the best restaurants around, like Racha Thai. Hit the many parks and trails. Worcester has an incredible amount to offer if you are brave enough and smart enough to shake off a very outdated stereotype. Like I said, spend a day here this summer. You won’t be disappointed.
I recently moved to San Antonio and I am SO glad to see it on your list…even at #34. I have lived in many places, spread out all over the US and was glad to find comfort and good cost of living in a warm, southern climate.
I have lived in Bellingham, WA off and on for 25 years. The last couple of years the weather has done a huge downturn. It has always been a rainy and gloomy climate, but you could count on summer, but last summer and so far this summer, rarely are their sunny days that even reach 70 and because of the wind from the ocean it is always chilly. Bellingham is great if you like to stay indoors alot. Wages are poor and jobs are scarce.
Response to Joe Black, March 26:
Your criteria list is flawed. Low housing cost & low cost of living (#4) does not go with educated & skilled workforce (#5). When you have an educated and skilled workforce, you have employees in more professional and business (even clerical/office) fields earning from the mid $30K’s to $100K’s. They would not consider living in low-cost housing, aka “the projects” or Section 8 housing. Even when I was earning $30K in the mid-1990’s and raising 3 children alone after my separation, I wouldn’t subject my children or myself to low-cost housing and everything that comes with it. Rampant crime, teen pregnancy, and social apathy are part and parcel of areas with low cost of living and low housing cost (even low cost homes).
I live in Kansas less than 10 miles from Colorado. The access to COMMERCIAL airplane flying is better at Colorado Springs, Colorado is the best I have seen. I have flown into more than 50 large cities, but that is not very many among the hundreds in the U.S. or the world.
I entirely agree with your choice of Plainsboro, NJ. I lived there 3 years, moving there from Jersey City, NJ, and I absolutely LOVED it.
Plainsboro can be an expensive place to live but that is relative. If I were earning at least $10K more at the time I lived there, it would have been “reasonable”. It does suffer from the one thing all of Jersey suffers from–high property tax. But given Plainsboro’s low crime rate, pleasant greenery, clean air, incredibly beautiful scenery, safe and clean roads and gorgeous housing, I would definitely move back from my warm and sunny perch here in Fort Lauderdale if I won the lottery!
I’m only here in Florida for the weather!
Novato? You have got to be kidding! No research must have been done in compiling this list, because it is nearly impossible to do business in Marin County with the communists at the County level government, who are increasingly gaining ever more control over local governments and taking even more taxes.
This list is obviously flawed. WHat about the numerous (and yet even more attractive) cities OUTSIDE the United States?
I think it was a smart move putting Kansas City on the top 100 list. They are everything you love about a big city but still have the small town feel. The only downfall I can see is the lack of a light rail system (which is in the works)and since Kansas City is a little more spread out than most big cities it really is a necessity. But Kansas Citians don’t mind driving to get to where they need to go.
Re Folsom CA you forgot to mention the weather in the summer: 110 in the shade.
Kansas city has its perks, but there is nothing spectacular about it. Yeah the sports stadiums are housed right next to eachother, which in return causes constant traffic. There is an amusement park that is overpriced. Also, kansas city is GHETTO and full of drug related people. The one thing that is worth seeing is the new Power and Light district, but even that is crazy busy. Its just a slow paced city with a need to be faster.
I was born and raised in Huntington, NY. My first apartment was in Northport, NY. Long Island was a great place to grow up and live… Now I reside in Baltimore, I moved here for a job. If I could affort Long Island, I would definately go back.
Why does the Naperville, IL photo (#29) make it look like an Amish community?
Boise is great! However, I believe the article mistakes the major university that is present within the city. It is actually Boise State University (BSU), not the Univeristy of Idaho (U of I). U of I is up in Moscow, ID.
Aloha from HONOLULU! Absolutely should be in your top 100! Having lived here for almost 25 years, I can tell you it is a wonderful place for raising a family and pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Honolulu has excellent food, weather, air quality, educational facilities, and is an outdoor playground for recreational athletes. The outer islands provide additional opportunities to explore our unique environment–from Volcano National Park on the Big Island to the rainforest of Kauai. The diversity of cultures is celebrated and should serve as a model for the rest of the U.S. Mahalo nui loa for recognizing Honolulu!
Gainesville, Florida does have a small regional airport, but I think overall most people in the area drive to Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville to catch a major flight. I think that the metro population of Gainesville combined with about 300,000 people in the Ocala metro area (40 miles south) should get together and have a combined international airport.
As anyone who has kept up with these lists over the years – they are simply the kiss of death.
Madison was #1 in 1996. This year it slipped to #89. Having grown up there (and subsequently left) I’ve see the changes and they are not nice. But most people who live there would disagree.
Having moved (32 years ago) and lived in SFO and Los Angeles – and since relocated to Northern Utah (for the past 18 years) …. I’ve gone back to Madison – and love it for what it was to me. But it’ll never be the same.
But the comparisons? Not valid. Each community has it’s own flukes, culture, wierdos (yes, Madison, I’m talkin’ about YOU) and tax structures. You move – you adjust.
Where I live now? #80 something on the list. Economic Development is the mantra – gotta be the BEST! (yuck).
I dread the changes in the coming years. We’re already seeing “California Refugees” in the thousands… and NO, they’re NOT ALL LDS.
And for those of you who fled Utah because of your Religious Neighbors? Trust me, I’d take that over gangbangers any day.
Growth Sucks. Uninspired Growth Sucks even more.
Gainesville #47: You don’t have to drive to Tampa or Jacksonville to catch a plane. Delta has daily flights out of Gainesville to Atlanta and another airline with flights to Charleston, Miami, etc.
I can’t stop laughing at this article on Boise. In a side article: “I flyfish at lunch.” Um, no you don’t.
Here’s the lowdown on Boise – it’s great if you’re one of the lucky few in an executive position, or are bringing money from somewhere else. For everyone else, plan to get by on 25,000-40,000/yr., or the starting hourly wages of 9-12/hr.
The traffic sucks. Granted, it’s not Los Angeles, but realize that we have ONE connecting interstate that runs from downtown Boise to the commuting suburbs of Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell. All other traffic is directed through tight, congested two lane roads.
Like the view of the mountains? You can’t see them during the winter because of the toxic inversions, and you can’t see them during the summer because of the fires, the haze, the smog, and the stale air. Our air quality is often times worse than LA, a place that has 13 times the population.
Like hot weather? Late June, all of July, and most of August the temperature soars between 90 and 105. Like cold weather? The temps don’t get above 40 from December to March, and usually stay in the mid 20’s to mid 30’s.
Like homogeneous, all-white Conservative Christian culture? Because that’s almost all you have here.
Like weeds, yellow and brown cheatgrass? That’s what Boise is. We’re in a desert. It’s brown and yellow here almost year round. Granted there are world class mountains hours to the North and East, but have fun competing with everyone else getting to those camping spots on the weekend.
I love it because I was born here, and it is definitely a niche place for many people. But don’t believe everything you read in these articles.
Where’s Austin on this list?
Thank you Jennifer for your comment. I live in Atlanta and was thinking of moving to Asheville! Back to the drawing board…
The University of Idaho is the flagship institution for the Boise Valley and the entire state, she has been pioneering and providing ROI for the residents of this state for over 100 years.
I am very surprised to see that Winston-Salem made this list. I do not live there, but I do work and shop there and I can say that the city is both a haven for crime and a hotbed for racism (both anti-black, and anti-white, depending on which side of the street you are on).
I would never live there and am looking for a position in Greesboro which is a much more level-headed city.
Not only is Spokane a great place to live but business is thriving and new businesses are doing well. In the next ten to twenty years the Spokane Metro area will be better than any Western Washington town.
on great city to consider that’s not on the list is Asheville, NC.
Buford should not be on the list. Replace Buford with Marietta or Augusta.
What the world needs now is love sweet love, no not just for some, but for everyone.
So many people on this blog keep talking about how great Durham is. Are you playing me??? That is the worst (big) city on the entire East Coast! The only decent part of NC is Charlotte. Wilmington and Fayetteville are both drug-infested armpits, and aren’t too far from the “Triangle.” Go drive through some neighborhoods off I-85 in Durham and tell me it’s nice. What a joke…
I have lived all over the US and I have fallen in love with Spokane. This is a great city that has blossomed the last few years.
Brookfield, WI is one of the nicer places to live around the Metro Milwaukee area, but the schools come up short. A few months ago Milwaukee Magazine did an entire article about schools and Brookfield ranked near the bottom. Greendale, WI ranked #1 I believe. It could be that Brookfield is in Waukesha County and Greendale is in Milwaukee County. Milwaukee has wicked high property taxes!
What happened to Louisville, Colorado? It was #3 last year and complete fell off the list???
Hamden, CT? I guess it’s like New Haven, but without the great public transportation, trains to NYC, culture, interesting people, or city green.
Plenty of restaurants in the center of town in Hamden? Sure, if you like Applebee’s, DUI Friday’s, and assorted fast food. New Haven has unique restaurants with food from all over the world, Hamden has chain restaurants with food that you find in every other suburb.
I wouldn’t want to live there.
Fairfield, Connecticut?
Cons – very high cost of housing and living expenses in general. Highest cost of living of any county in the state. State government is not very business friendly. Dense population means long travel times on major roadways. Cold weather.
Pros – there are some very nice towns within short distance of Fairfield. Weltheir part of the state, so your client base should have more income in order to buy your goods or services.
How about an ocean or bay, and some real forests? Jobs that pay more than $10 an hour would be great, also!
Santa Fe- I lived in Albuquerque for 6 years and worked in Santa Fe many of those years.If you’re hispanic or rich and white Santa Fe is a dream. It has a lot of art museums and cool places to shop.If you’re black, Asian, or poor and white Santa Fe is the last place you want to be. This is a vacation spot, like Vail nothing more. The city is not a place you want to me unless you’re on vacation.
Omaha is one of the best places to live – it is a big city with a small town attitude. The people are fantastic and the cost of living is really reasonable. The restaurants are incredible! The only drawback is the weather – winters can be brutally cold.
Des Moines is beautiful. Some of the nicest people in the country live in Des Moines.
Iowa Rocks!
People that live in Iowa are great – Des Moines is full of new restaurants, bars, music venues and outdoor activities!
Affordable and fun!
Do not Read if you want to stay Miserable, Idaho does not want you too bring that here!
After spending my youth in the SF Bay Area and relocating to Tahoe during my 20’s I happened to visit a friend in Idaho for a weekend and came across a place that has everything I have wanted in place to live. As many of you know CA is great place to live with diversity and all the site’s to see, it will always be my home town!….As I have kept it touch with many of my school mates and friends over the years, I have found that the dream of living a comfortable life has all be diminished and turned into survival.
I know you can make good living in CA but, that’s not the point I’m trying to make.
I have been there and life seems to accelerate day after day with a few weeks of vacation crammed into a couple crazed days only to return 2.5 day’s later to the same dam thing, up at 5:30am to drive 20 miles while sitting in traffic for 2hrs pissed off and inhaling someone else’s carbon footprint.
Every so often I call my buddy’s back home and I recently attend my 20 yr class reunion and was shocked to see the misery and frustration of struggling with the urban prison. For GOD sake people have you no urge to life the better life!
What was that?…..Why would I leave Tahoe?…..Well, my years of being a winter snowboard bum and summer tree hugger was not all that it was cracked up to be, don’t get me wrong it was a great life but, after meeting my wife we stumbled upon Eagle ID and were amazed to find happy family orientated people with the golf to enjoy life! Eagle before the real estate boom (not actually a boom per CA standards) more like slight increase in price. If I said we paid $170,000 for a 2000 sq ft home on a large city lot .35ac on a cul-de-sac, eye sight from a park, next to the foothills, close to town w/good schools and the price of the home went up a cool $100,000 in two years would you believe me?…. the only down side is the housing crisis has brought our value down $20,000 – $30,000 Big Freaking Deal….My car payment with gas is more that my home each month.
If you enjoy hiking, biking, river rafting, fishing, snowboarding-skiing, walking along the river, long summer nights, hot springs, good food and more parks than you will ever need I suggest you come take a look at Idaho. Income?…. who cares live life ya fool!
Gary Hamilton
Eagle Idaho
B-Honolulu: Start a business in Honolulu and not be from Hawaii; Locals rule here. Not sure what business you would start here taking advantage of the time zone.Speaking with New York or Japan. Maybe selling Hawaiian Trinkets on E-Bay. I not sure that is possible. I’ve been here 2 years. Accepted a transfer to a new job. I came from Calf. and now miss all the rules and laws in that state, that people often complain about. Basicly in Hawaii there are laws but if a law is unpopular or unhawaiian it is not enforced by the police. For example: People crossing the streets are often hit because it’s the car vs. the pedestran. The police sometimes get involved; but if it’s not a local, it’s always the pedestran’s fault. Right of way laws are not enforced here. Also homeless is a real problem here. Alot of homeless are driven by the police to the other side of the island to keep them out of sight of tourist. Hawaii is a place of have and have nots. Or a local landlord said to me when I was looking at a place. We live on the hill and have our dogs; to keep the “bad” people out. If you are the kind of person that likes to feel superior because you have it and the other person does’nt and lock your doors, and go to work and drive home. Then Honolulu is your town. My ignoring skills have improved since I move here.
Boise is a beautiful clean and green city! I lived just 40 min’s south of there for 4 years while i was stationed in the air force. everything from skiing, cycling, natural hot springs, beautiful clean parks, friendly people, ultimate frisbee,… Boise is the #1 best kept secret in the US. if your thinking about moving there DO IT!! there is very little violence and unlimited things to do with your family. If your flying solo there is great night life with BSU(undefeated Boise State Broncos) being right in town vegas is a day drive away aswell as saltlake city. and sunvalley is like 30 min’s north! countless movie stars and a great day trip.
Ha ha ha. I am second that. I lived in Worcester, MA for over 10 years and found out that there aren’t anything. how in the world is worcster get on the list???? airport is shutting down, city is like crap and people refused to change to make it better. section of 290 is taking for ever to finish and it is been 2 years since they started…which is why I left and move to Raleigh, NC better over all especially weather. you lucky if worcester give you 2 months of summer above 80…
RIGHT??? I am orignally from MA. How on EARTH is Worcester on this list? It’s a DUMP!
I’ve never met anyone from Brookfield, WI who wasn’t mentally damaged. It seems like everyone there is a character from “American Beauty.” But I can see how that would create some good business opportunities. As for Madison being business friendly, guess again. Their answer to everything is, more taxes. Many houses in Madison are currently selling below assessed value and have been for close to two years now. They don’t always tax fairly either. Walgreen’s just won a settlement against the city for half a million dollars in back taxes because the city wanted to tax on lease value in stead of property value. You can be others were being screwed the same way and will now seek restitution. There’s plenty of damaged people here too, just a different kind of damaged.
Salt Lake is an amazingly beautiful location, and the snow and mountains are amazing, But there are many drawbacks that led me to leave. After spending my college years at the University of Utah and a total of 8 years in Salt Lake and Park City, i had to leave the religious state that is Utah. The morman church runs everything. people say it doesn’t but once you leave you realize that Utah is not a normal place. Also the pollution is getting out of hand. there are many times that it is worse that LA to the point that children aren’t allowed outside for recess.
But go visit for the skiing/snowboarding. its the best in the west.
Bellingham is great if you like to make $9.00 an hour.
Gainesville, FL is a great place to live and work. The city actively pursues being “green”, we have the nickname “Tree City USA”. Very family oriented. Lots of Arts for the artsy, nature for the nature lovers, bike trails for the bikers, the list goes on! Downtown is being rediscovered and is a great place to have a business (I have one!). The University of Florida provides for excellent educational opportunities, and is a “generator” for new business. Not to mention the various tech complexes and the progress park. The folks at the Chamber of Commerce will welcome your inquiries, and I’ve made plenty! Come visit, we love our town!
I was very surprised in a way to see Georgetown TX listed as #2 but proud to say it deserves to be in such a spot. I was raised in Georgetown and have been almost all over the world due to being a military spouse and I have always been priveleged to be raised in such a community. Georgetown has been seen as a modern day Mayberry. The schools are excellent, a great diversity of people, low crime (everyone in TX knows to beware of Wmsn. Co.) and it is perfect for raising a family. For such a small place, businesses boom and remain successful, the housing market is wonderful and we are blessed to have great retirees with tons of experience and knowledge from Sun City Georgetown who reach out in the community and share their experiences to help others grow. Most of our school mentors are highly successful people. Georgetown residents take great pride in welcoming new neighbors in town and proclaiming them as new Georgetownites and not many who make their homes here leave. Georgetown has history but not attractions like larger cities and towns but the greatest history we all take pride in is city history and everyone’s very own family history. If you are ever seeking a place closely knit…Georgetown is that friendly place. You make friends easily anywhere from the gas station to San Gabriel Park to garage sales to special events. I used to think all we were known for was being the Red Poppy Capitol of Texas and SU but looks like we are making our mark. I am living in Europe now but still as Dorothy would say, “There’s no place like home!” Military spouses move so much it’s said we forget where we are from but not those from Georgetown, TX. Oh and did I mention how much military support and pride that community holds? Probably because some of the greatest servicemembers and veterans call Georgetown home. Soldiers love it enough to commute daily to and from Ft. Hood. Keep up the work Georgetown and if you have not been there, pay it a visit soon!
I was going to comment on how the writer of these locations were way off on Orlando. But as I see from the other commentors, he was way off on the other locations as well. I wonder where he is getting all his research from.
Orlando is not a business friendly city and worst is not friendly to needy people creating more homelessness amoung families with millions in charitable funds going unused. The city allowed for too much development with the only demand for it coming from wealthy retirees from other states, leaving locals to suffer in an overpriced housing market with no new job opportunities.
And thanks to the theme parks who pay close to minimum wage, they keep wage compensations low.
As for the writer saying that Orlando’s real estate market has not been effected as the rest of Florida, he could not be more wrong. On my street alone there are about 15 houses for sale, most are emply and bank owned. It is a great market to get a house for cheap and rent out since the rents are high (Orlando has high cost of living with low median incomes).
Hello,
I’m astounded that you didn’t include in your assessment of “lifestyle factors”, the topic of population diversity. To me, being a minority, that’s one of the most important determinants in lifestyle quality – a feeling of blending in with a community. You could live in the most gorgeous surroundings with food options galore but if you’re a nonwhite, moving into a white-homeogenous environment, I hardly imagine that one’s sense of citizenry let alone a small business, would thrive.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warmly,
Kristin Taylor
Savannah??? Just hold your nose the whole time you are there. Can you say, “Pulp Mill Pollution”? It smells like sewage all the time.
Raleigh has had 4 murders last month. Think I will stay in Durham where it is safe.
Pittsburgh suburban schools are ranked very high compared to the city schools
Colorado Springs as I recall it was once a cowboy town…downright friendly & fabulous. Now we have Doug Bruce, the slum landlord of all time, demanding no taxes of any kind so the city is in a financial quagmire; plus we have Focus which pays no taxes…but tells us all how to live & think & we have Ted Haggard, yep, he’s back in town. Whatever culture we had seems to be eroding, but we do have a wonderful downtown area which has a drug ridden nightlife full of criminal activity. The Symphony Orchestra is begging for help to continue; the Fine
Arts Center is a showcase for a limited few artists from out of state; the climate in general is not the same, and high-tech comes and goes in droves. Where are the jobs? Town is notorious for economic upheavals and yet I stay on & on. Why? The beauty of nature all around & dear friends.
I’ve lived in Fort Lauderdale for almost 5 years and find it to have a lot more “cons” than on your list. The crime rate is outrageous and traffic congestion rivals most major cities. Florida drivers are terrible and with over 40 years of no accidents (NY, Nebraska, Puerto Rico) I’ve been hit 3 times here! The beaches are nice, the weather is hot and humid, and jobs are hard to find. Look again.
I don’t know how Sarasota, FL made any list. With all the crime and traffic, it’s not a good place to live. Only recentlythey have been experimenting with camera’s to identify redlight runners. It has to be the worst red light runnung place in the US.
Honestly, this list leaves almost everything that matters out. Reno California?? Greensboro NC?? Have you ever visited these places? Where are you going to raise capital in either of these cities. The economy is Reno is terrible and the city is depressing. Good luck attracting new, smart, graduates.
Clearly whoever wrote this never lived in Syracuse. It’s possibly the dreariest city in the U.S. The locals only step out of pubs for S.U. games and for the infamous 2 weeks of Summer.
It’s depressing to say the least.
Rochester, NY was my home for 23 years. I was born and raised there, and was there for my collegiate years of education. There are truths and stretches in the description. I can say that the Kodak, B&L and Xerox is misleading. They are not hiring and are heavily laying off. The best professional job would probably be in the medical field in the University of Rochester; small companies are they way to go for technological jobs. There are also universities for technological jobs. Rochester is a very good place for small company start ups, because there are plenty of opportunities and plenty of people in the work field.
For living, Rochester is best to raise families. I agree with the article on this. Be careful about the good schools — they are only in certain areas. If you’re in the inner city, there’s all sorts of problems, such as drugs, poverty, crime, STD’s. You would have to go to the suburban areas, such as Brighton and Pittsford for the best schools (i.e. their public schools have made it in the top 100 list)
We relocated just north of Salt Lake City, UT 2 years ago. The city is not as great as advertised. The job market is great, wages are better than average, We think, But housing is extremely overpriced and hard to find. Also it is very polluted, The advertisements talk about clean air and describe Park City, but it is not feasible to live in the mountains and enjoy skiing and low pollution and work in Salt Lake. After being here 2 years and surviving all the red alert pollution days and crazy religious people, and yes being an outsider moving here there are alot of extreme religious LDS people here, We are more than ready to move,
The BLUE ASH interactive map is waaayyy off
I live in Albuquerque, and it is a growing, smallish city of 500,000. Lots of opportunity for business, witness Eclipse Aviation. Great climate, Rocky mountains, great food, what else is there???
… they are all in America! Common sense would suggest maybe there are
some outside of USA. Parts of Europe or parts of Asia, maybe? Israel?
(Seriously, in an international world, the paradigm has shifted a bit.)
Steve Brown
Looking to relocate from Toronto (Canada)to Carlsbad any comments?
I agree that Durham has (albeit latent) character. I live in North Raleigh but now work on the American Tobacco Campus. For years I avoided Durham (other than visiting Duke, Bulls games, Carolina Theatre, museums, et. al.) and considered Durham a slum… but now that I can walk all around Durham, I’ve truly grown to really like and appreciate the culture of Durham.
To J in Los Angeles ca — do not move back to Virginia Beach..are you kidding affordable housing near the water. What are you smoking? There is no affordable housing here. While it may be cheaper than Ca. on what they pay here it is not. Trust me..Also everyone knows about all the beaches here. Pick a different place. You have been away to long to know what is really going on here now!!
What was Angela from Charlotte Nc talking about. It is clear she lives in a fantasy world. Virginia Beach is very expensive. The housing market is way out of wack. They keep building 400-500k homes that people hear cannot afford. We are run by a terrible local gov. We have a terrible road system, that only gets worse. She is also very wrong, most people that join the military do so because they have no choice. Look at how many neighborhoods are run down due to their familys living there. The jet noise is terrible. The school system is a joke now, kids cannot even pass simple sol tests anymore. I think she should get her facts straight before she comments. Taxes are not low at all, very high property taxes and you need a permit or license to do anything. It is a terrible place to live..PERIOD!!!
I think you’re wrong. Downtown KC, is a newly developed area and will soon be the hot spot for the metro.
I grew up in Rochester and lived there for 28yrs. Rochester is a beautiful city for family and business but not that great for singles. The crime is in certain areas so it’s not difficult to move into an area where there is not so much crime, but then the police may harass you. Overall a nice small city.
Rochester ain’t perfect. Are you stupid? Rochester is not a perfect place to live in but no place is perfect. Don’t compare Rochester to Detroit. I have been living here for 11 years now and relocating out to vegas for jobs reasons, but if given the choice between Rochester and Detroit I would pick Rochester in a heart beat. Because Rochester is such a small town crime is more noticeable, comparing it to NYC where I come from. But we have been rated #1 for the best looking men. And the cheapest real estate….You can search it on line.
Raleigh? Durham? The problem with these places is education. There are plenty of people streaming into the area but once they realize the terrible conditions of the Wake Co. school district, it as if you can hear the breaks screaching as they turn around to go back to their original (and often) Northern homes. There are simply not enough schools for the tremendous growth and people are unwilling to put up money for new schools. The children suffer and ultimately, so will the region.
not to mention Durham has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Have you even driven down a Durham street? Because i don’t think you actually live in Durham to write that.
I lived in Rochester NY for 4 years (for school) and it is by far one of the worst cities I have been to in the US, I would say it is somewhere around the level of Detroit. I laughed so hard when I saw that Rochester made it to #80 on this list. Obviously the person who compiled the list didn’t spend enough time in the city.
Doral is becoming a great city indeed, lots of investments in parks and excellent schools.
Love living here!
I live in Colchester VT and it is a wonderful place to live. The community is wonderful and everyone is very friendly. We all watch out for each other. The school system is terrific too. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in relocating.
Also, the photo was taken and is copy righted by Catherine Chamberlain (me) of Vt Scenic Photos in Colchester
I’m 22 and from the sunny Eugene, OR. I’ve recently moved to St. Louis, MO.
The last time I was in Eugene it had just finished constructing one of the most interesting pieces of public transportation… The transportation system in Eugene goes farther than just having bus lanes, they’ve taken those concrete medians and transformed them into bus lanes, where the busses can travel free of the regular city traffic. There are what look like miniature station platforms amidst these bus lanes that serve as bus stops so the busses do not always obstruct the traffic flow. Also, Eugene is the only city I’ve seen that runs the monster sized double-length busses.
The city of Eugene had just finished putting in their commercial size airport the last time that I flew home to visit. It still runs Alaskan Airlines flights in the propeller planes, but that is not the only type of plane they can land on the air-strip now. The city is growing as evidenced by the airport expansion.
The charm of Eugene can be found in its 5th Street Market, its Saturday Market. Every Saturday, almost without fail, you can find every kind of vendor you can imagine (stained glass, hand dyed cloth/clothes, fresh fruits and veggies) at the Saturday Market near downtown Eugene, not too far of a walk from the Eugene Station (bus station).
Aside from the two malls you have in the area, the 5Th Street Market is one of the better places to go shopping. It is in an area of Eugene that its shopping experience isn’t limited to what’s inside the building. It’s located near many niche shops and family-owned businesses. You can find a very diverse range of shops in a small area of the city.
Also, Eugene has a very awesome Costco going on, and I didn’t see a Sam’s Club the last time I was up there, so that’s a definite up side. (I grew up on Costco/Target and I’m dismayed to find that there is not a convenient Costco in my area here in St. Louis)
Eugene is a very college football kind of city and I find that the attitude in Oregon (at least as I’ve observed it) is a general ‘which side of the civil war do you fall on, ducks or beavers’ kind of attitude.
When I was asked if there were many ‘black people’ in oregon I couldn’t answer the question because I didn’t know. I, like many others, didn’t grow up viewing the world as black and white and asian and mexican, but rather grew up viewing the world as ‘Ducks or Beavers’.
The whole city makes a big deal out of the ‘civil war games’ because our two rival colleges play each other. Oregon State University (Beavers OSU) and University of Oregon ( Ducks UofO). I don’t know how many black people lived in Oregon when I grew up there, I never noticed, because it didn’t matter… as long as they weren’t a beaver fan all was right with the world.
If you are EVER in Eugene, you need to head into Glenwood, in between Eugene and Springfield, and before you get to the bridge over the river, head south and you’ll come across a Castle-shaped card shop and across the street you’ll find one of the best convenience stores in the area that sells Biscuits and Gravey. It’s called The Duck Stop, and is painted Yellow and Green to match the Ducks’ colors.
Also, headed that way out toward Seavey Loop Road and Mount Pisgah is Me & Moore and several other farms where you can come out and pick your own fruits and veggies. For all you health nuts out there that want organic foods. In the fall you can head out to the mountain for the Mushroom Festival, or head to the pumpkin patches at Me & Moore to try and find the biggest pumpkin of the batch.
As with any city you will find those people that are junky, or trashy. You will find the health buffs who will ride their bikes everywhere. And you’ll find those homeless people by the bridge who ride their brand new bikes home at the end of a hard day’s begging.
Eugene and Springfield have a flavor all their own, and is a very acquired taste for some people. But for people like myself who have spent a long time there… It’s in my blood and I don’t know if I can ever let go of that small-town atmosphere that seeps out of the two cities.
I HAVE LIVED IN WYOMING ALL MY LIFE. I LIVED IN CHEYENNE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. LAST OCTOBER I MOVED TO ORO VALLEY, AZ. TO PURSUE MY NURSING CAREER. IT IS TRUE, CHEYENNE HAS BEGUN TO PULL IN A FEW MORE EATING EXTABLISHMENTS, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD UP THE DOWN TOWN. LETS NOT FORGET THE BIG DADDY OF EM ALL, RODEO. BUT WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, I WILL NEVER GO BACK. THE WIND AND SNOW IS BEYOND BONE COLD. THERE ARE ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS DURING THE YEAR THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SIT OUTSIDE. CHEYENNE HAS SOME GREAT THINGS TO OFFER, BUT HONEY, NO THANKS….ALL I CAN SAY “ITS A GREAT PLACE TO BE FROM”
I only bought my home in Lemay, MO because of the new casino. My house is a beautifully rehabbed home near a bunch of 100% white trash who do not have a clue on how to clean up after themselves. The St. Louis County came and gave a ton of notices on ordinance violations, and most of my neighbors went bolistic. I personally feel that this town can become a very nice and safe place to live if we can rid the town of the trashy. We need to raise our taxes to get them out. My 3 bedroom house is only $600 a year, comeon make it $1250 and most cant or will not pay their taxes. Sorry to rant, but this area has potential.
Bellingham has historically lagged behind other West Coast housing prices, and in the past few years, we’ve started to catch up, with double digit appreciation in home prices. THAT said, we have an average home price of $280K+/-, an abundance of waterview homes available in the $400K+ range, and for the first time in a long time, an abundance of modest homes priced under $250K to choose from. We appeal to people who appreciate “Green” values, people who appreciate our natural environment and who become active volunteers to make our community a better place. We have become so popular on so many “Top 10″ lists that many people are shocked at our new traffic & pollution and all the growth our area is expected to accomodate. The “liveability” of ALL of our cities and our one & only planet is directly related to the exponential growth of our human population, and how we agree to conduct ourselves. I encourage everyone everwhere to dig in, stay put, and to work locally whereever you may be to make your city a better place to live. If you want to join us doing just that in Bellingham, Call me! Julie Carpenter, RE/MAX Realtor and business owner, Bellingham, Washington.
Naperville is so expensive, no middle class person can live there.
kansas city downtown is a war arena of gangs,made lot busnises lock on their doors and run away to other places more safe
I have lived near the Virginia Beach area for over 50 years. Geographically it’s a beautiful place. The ocean is wonderful. Housing prices are over inflated. THe local government is so conservative and punitive that the laws border on nazi-ism. No cursing signs are posted everywhere and it’s a misdemeanor which is punishable by their laws. It is a NO FUN ZONE. The jet noise over the oceanfront from the base is head splitting. If you visit, be on your best behavior or act like the walking dead.
I love Bethlehem, PA. I go to Moravian College and I enjoy the city so much. It’s a nice place to live and I would reccommend it to anyone.
Stafford,Texas has very high school taxes and Fortbend co. taxes. Their zoning laws are restrictive of residents. They have yearly licence fees for everything. They want businesses in Stafford but they do not want upscale homes.
I love Salt Lake City. Those Mormons are some of the friendliest people I have ever known. If you love mountains and outdoor activities, Salt Lake City is in a great central location.
Rochester and Syracuse NY are two of the best cities in the US to live and start a business? OMG….I want what you are smoking. The tech market is oversaturated. There are layoffs all the time…..literally every week one of the big companies (Kodak, Xerox, and B&L) is laying off. Xeros just announced a HUGE layoff. So you get people with tens of years of experience starting businesses and vying for the same jobs as those with less experience. Top it all off with terrible winters, high taxes, less than 100 days of sunshine, heavy traffic, high crime and poverty and you have less than a desirable place to live. Syracuse and Buffalo are among the ugliest and run down cities in the nation. Throw in corrupt governments and an overzealous adherence to affirmative action taking away opportunities for white men, and, well, you get the picture. If you area minority and don’t mind dilapidated buildings, roads and other infrastructure, then you’re golden. Upstate NY may be beautiful in places, but for anyone who desires a better way of life, think twice about living here. Top it all off with a statistic of something like 80% of young people leaving here for better opportunities, you will find that this is a terrible place to start a business. Don’t know where these people got their info, but this place is awful.
I totally disagree with this list, more research is needed, I have moved from some of the “top cities” stated
I just wanted to shed some light on Asheville, NC. Everyone thinks that moving here is such a good idea…but in retrospect the growth creates negative returns. Basically the more people move here ..the more it destroys what makes Asheville unique and beautiful. Ten years ago the skyline was barely scattered with buildings and new construction. Now it is everywhere. Cost of living is through the roof, there are no affordable places to live, the pollution is increasing year to year which kills the wildlife. The art community is supportive, yes, but you cannot afford to live here as an artist. Studio spaces for artists are raising high and higher. More retirees and people with money are moving here and turning it into a mini Atlanta. Suburbs with homes in the 1/2 million range. To make things worse..crime is increasing, the job market is failing and the homeless rate increasing. Yep, sounds like a great place to move to doesn’t it?
There are a slew of “Haters” when it comes to the Durham Community. Especially coming from the surrounding areas. I guess people don’t understand objectivity, seeing as how this is a completely unbiased opinion of Durham. With the largest research park in the world (Research Triangle Park), Tremendous shopping/dining centers (The Streets at Southpoint with the 1st Nordstrom’s in North Carolina, Brightleaf Square, The Old tobacco District, and more coming soon), Number 1 ranked minor league baseball franchise (Durham Bulls), ranked best place to watch college sports and nominated for title town USA (ESPN.com), One of the top airports in the country (RDU International), 4 major area universities(Duke, UNC, N.C. State, N.C. Central), One of the Top 5 hospitals in the world ( Duke University Medical Center), Ranked #14 smartest city in the country (Forbes.com Feb. 2008), top 5 best city for African Americans (black enterprise), and the #16 greenest city in the country (bestplaces.net), why would anyone be surprised that it is in the top 15 for best places to live??? Just be true to yourself. American tobacco trail, Nasher Museum of Art, Duke Gardens, Museum of Life and Science. Numerous movies were filmed here (including but not limited to “Kiss The girls”, “The Rookie”, and “Bull Durham”.) Durham is a great place to live! Period.
I am from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I cannot believe you would even consider as a good place to live. Pfizer, the world’s leading Pharmaceutical, let Ann Arbor because of Michigan and their incompetent political and economic infrastructure. Mary Sue Coleman, the President of the University of Michigan, instead of running an institution of higher education, is busy fulfilling a social agenda that is contributing to Michigan’s economic decay. Last, it is a testimony to Ann Arbor and you lack of understand about the city that the picture you show on your Website to represent the city is a photograph of one of the cities gay bookstores. How unfortunately appropriate.
Mark Smith, are you from Wichita Falls (originally)?
Oro Valley, great place, bicycle friendly, clean, scenic, great food.
For the guy who mentioned Oro Valley, I believe he is from California, I see many plates from California here. I work part time at the Hilton Country Club, (Golf), and Californians just love it here. we also have a great police force, the Catalina mountains, Mt. Lemon, just a two hour ride, if you like to ski, the white mountains, four hour ride. We have access to California, New Mexico, Mexico,Vegas just to mention a few. We have the Tucson Jazz society, plenty of jazz and entertainment all year round, plenty of outdoor fun, hikes, trails, etc. We have great hospitals, forgot to mention, the Tour the Tucson, catalina ten miles north, the Biodome, Dove mountain, the Gallery, if you like golf, this is the place to be, Tiger Woods has played here twice, also the Ritz Calton will be opening in 2009. The weather is wonderful, lots of sunshine, a little hot for a few months, but since Oro Valley is a little further north, it’s a little cooler.
JB
Anyone think of Anchorage, AK? A rapidly growing city with zero urban sprawl, zero traffic (relatively speaking), zero sales tax, zero state income tax, $1-2k/person for living here from oil revenue, a booming economy (read this as good jobs, housing market holding steady), affordable housing, good schools, unbelievable scenery, incredible fishing/camping/hiking/biking/rock climbing/skiing/rec areas, perfect summers (70s and light out until midnight), mild winters (yes it snows, but not like the NE US), and a white Christmas every year. The city offers everything a normal city of 300k offers (if not more), but with none of the negatives. Its a little dark and cold in Dec/Jan, but it’s only two months. The rest is great! Check it out on city-data.com
Minneapolis,
Years ago Minneapolis would have been a great place to start a business. Minneapolis used to have good roads, quality education and a supportive government. Times have changed. The Liberals have diverted tax dollars to unresponsive, irresponsible sectors. Instead of building up roads and education, the Liberals have used these arenas to syphon off money for their political cronies. Minneapolis punishes the most productive, raising taxes even as the economy tanks. Minneapolis is playing the fiddle daring businesses to leave. And guess what, businesses are leaving. Honeywell, Northwest Airlines and other major companies realize that Minneapolis can’t compete with lower cost areas. Now Government is the largest employer. Listing Minneapolis as a “good place for business” is somewhat absurd and shows that the editors of CNN who wrote the article must not live in Minneapolis.
Brookfield, WI is a great town with every retail business you could ever need at your finger tips. Combine that with great schools, low traffic and well kept homes it is a perfect place for any family or new business. Also, when you want to visit the big city, downtown Milwuakee is only 15 minutes away.
Too crowded and traffic on a good day is awful! Downtown use to be a nice midwestern town area. It is becoming over taken by Chicago chain businesses. Its lost alot of its home town charm and appeal. More resturants than shops.
San Diegans have a compulsive need to justify/rationalize paying the extremely high cost of living here, so they convince themselves that San Diego IS PARADISE ON EARTH, any evidence to the contrary.
As far as sunshine goes, ask a
San Diegan what the terms: “MAY GRAY” and “JUNE GLOOM” refer to. Answer-(The daily presence of fog that never burns off for the entire day during the months of May and June.
I’ve live in a bunch of these cities and my opinion is that a lot of people are missing the point of this list. It is supposed to be centered on being a good place to start a profitable business venture. So my top 3 list would be of the cities I’ve lived or spent a lot of time in:
1) Austin, TX: High Tech is HUGE here. Newish airport. Pretty good infrastructure. Public Ed is good here. UT has HUGE engineering school in town and is generally a 1 stop shop for recruits. Cost of living not insane. Can’t beat it.
2) Triangle Area (but maybe not Durham yet), NC: Highly educated work force. Lots of multinationals in town. Great higher education w/ UNC, Duke, NCSU. Low taxes most places. Drawbacks: Durham (w/ the exception of the new downtown), politics which is leading to terrible infrastructure w/ highways, airports, etc.
3) Central VA – Charlottesville, Richmond, Lynchburg, Williamsburg: UVA, VT and W&M are premier universities providing very good workforce especially at the graduate level. Air travel could not be easier. None of the airports in this area are at capacity. Cost of living is good, except maybe in the city of Charlottesville. Main problem is public grade school education and absence of the big Multinationals. Most business you’ll do will be to DC and NYC or maybe NC.
I beg to differ on Syracuse at #59. I started 4 businesses in that area in the past 20 years (all still operating). Two years ago I moved two of them to the Tampa area. NY TAXES at state, county, city, and school district levels are what pushed me out. Tampa’s real estate bust made buying an existing house affordable and my total tax bills are now 25% of what I was paying in NY. Also, I fly alot for business and Syracuse has to be one of the most expensive airports to get anywhere. Tampa airport on the otherhand is pretty darn good. Oh yea, did I mention it does not snow here?
Minneapolis is bland and boring. Plus, it’s bloody cold in Winter. The landscape is drab and the architecture grey and uninspiring. And the locals are not particularly welcoming so making friends is hard work.
Santa Fe??? Quaint, but the cost of living is outrageous and disproportionate to other areas in the state and nearly rivals California. I should keep a good secret a secret but Albuquerque rivals Santa Fe any day in term of commerce, good housing stock, business incubators and culture and a good quality of life.
Madison’s business climate leaves a lot to be desired. The liberal City Council is of the mindset “If you don’t like our rules – leave”. Large companies are leaving left and right. Unaffordable mass transportation has been proposed for the few who would actually use it. The city has turned into not much more than countless new condos, and turns away from drawing any new business in. Taxes continue to escalate regardless of the economy, housing continues to escalate despite the national trend. That is one plus here, your house is guaranteed to be worth more (to the tax asessor) every year.
How can a beach be “too sandy”?
Edmond, OK is a good place to live, especially for affordable housing. It also has well-rated public schools and a large state university that will probably become better-known for the new “CSI” school.
Ecomonically, the energy industry is booming. Several of the the country’s biggest independent producers are headquartered nearby, businesses in wind power and biofuels are starting to grow. So is medical research. On the down side, wages and salaries, even for some professionals are significantly lower than the national average. The state sadly ranks low on the “quality of life” issues like physical and mental health and number of people without health insurance. For students, seniors, and the disabled, there are few if any public transporation options in Oklahoma. The automobile is still worshipped. People will sell their souls for a tank of gas. Only recently have the basics for a healthy lifestyle, like availabilty of sidewalks, become an issue.
New people from all walks of life need to move here to add to the diversity and vitality of the area. That is what will provide the transformation that is needed for the future. I have lived in the area for most of 30 years.
On Rochester, you left out is influence in High Tech. Including high end optics, nono-technology. It should also be mentioned that it has many big city items including five professional sports teams, sveral ski slopes, many high end gulf courses (one of which has hosted the US open and Rider cup), it is surrounded by outdoor recreational activities including world class hunting and fishing.
Enjoyed reading best places in America. Would love to have you come to South San Diego County and check out what we have to offer. Possible?
cindy
I have never heard of American Canyon referred to as AmCam. The stores referred to in the profile are together in a strip like mall. There is no downtown; businesses are along the very busy 6 lanes of highway. American Canyon is the through=fare between Napa and SF/Sacramento. The photo is in American Canyon but you are most likely looking at Napa. American Canyon is considered worse than Vallejo, which is known as the armpit of NorCal.
My wife and I recently moved to Durham from Madison, WI and we love it! We can jump on our bikes and be downtown, at the ballpark, American Tobacco Campus, Duke or Brightleaf Square in minutes! We live in a centrally located neighborhood that is safe and clean (Duke Park). We looked at Raleigh and other areas to live but we didn’t want to have to drive everywhere and my wife’s job being only a few miles from our home doesn’t hurt either. Durham has an energy that the other cities in the area don’t have!
Wow….I walked on the beach this morning at about 7:30 am in Carlsbad, California and the weather, as usual was sunny and about 64 degrees. The beach was empty, except for a few surfers. After an amazing walk, I enjoyed an inexpensive breakfast ad “Don’s Country Kitchen” and wandered around the village. I thought about getting a great massage at the La Costa Resort & Spa, but decided to take a Yoga class instead. Carlsbad has a small town feel in a big San Diego City. It does not get much better than this!
From the #62 Blue Ash page:
Blue Ash, which essentially sits inside Cincinnati, is home to a number of corporate satellite locations, including offices for Proctor & Gamble,
CNN/Money should make it an interview question to spell ProctEr correctly. Geez guys, it’s only one of the largest corporations in America. I want to see how you botch the spelling of IBM next.
Maybe you should pick up a copy of Fortune to see their Fortune 500 list, and memorize the spellings.
We lived in Rochester , N.Y. for eight years, owning and operating a business there as well. About a year and a half ago, we relocated to the Seattle, WA area, and the price of homes and cost of living here is definitely making us second guess our decision. If you can stand the long winters, upstate New York is a wonderful place to raise a family!
WOW!
Its NOT Bellevue WA…… It maybe Irvine, CA
It maybe anywhere near Irvine, Ca today. Moreover anywhere in (OC) Orange Country CA.
Today the world has changed, today you need everything to get a business off the ground. Bellevue WA, has lot of uncontrolled growth. Moreover low support for new business. Traffic will soon be a parking lot. This is the worst planned out city in the world for traffic growth!! They are building like fools! They have dozens of 40+ stories condo high-rises going up this year. However, no plans for traffic, transportation or education.
Irvine still is the most planned out city in the world. Even with high RENT and lot of rules to open a business. This makes it harder to get started! But you will be around others that can make it!! That is a big in retail and industry. Irvine is growing hi income jobs and homes faster than anywhere in the world!! GET a CLUE!!!
Today’s Cost of living value of Bellevue to Irvine is the major key!! Most cost of living calculators are wrong and out of date by years!!
Today a 3 bed and bath house is over million in Bellevue and less in Irvine. Better yet, average income is more in Irvine and less in Bellevue. So where would you want to open a business. I suggest where people have the most amount of money to spend on your business, not on their home and transportation cost.
Lisa in Plainsboro: I am sorry you don’t like it here. I think the problem is that your expectations are incongruent with what we have, and therefore, you are bored. Plainsboro is a small burg, a bedroom community for the big cities (NYC and Phila), a boring, quiet place that is a good and peaceful place to raise kids. If you are not raising kids and looking for excitement, you will not find it in Plainsboro. I don’t know if you have children, but if you do, you have to at least acknowledge that this is a good place to raise them, even if the schools are a bit crowded.
Stafford, Texas! You HAVE to be kidding! Yes – no city property tax – but the converse of that is you get what you pay for. As a resident for 30 years, I can say the mayor and council do not care about homeowners’ interests – only bringing in businesses to pay for running the city. It may be a good place to start a business but the employees of those companies are chosing to live in Sugar Land (where they pay property tax – and have wonderful ammenities). Thanks to the un-planning – many residents can’t get their money back on their homes.
As a lifelong East Coast dweller, New Mexico has always appeared to have the allure of an environment for a better quality of life (pace, weather, great food, skiing and other outdoor fun, and cultural activities). I am in the process of relocating my family to Rio Rancho and from what I have already experienced it is everything that I imagined.
Sarasota FL is on the list! We have a tech business here. Finding science or engineering talent is very hard. Mr wolf is correct about local economy,housing prices here are depressed and that makes it easier to import people from places with a larger talent pool. That wont last forever.
I agree–Durham is great! We have great sports and entertainment, natural areas and parks, world-class food, 2 hours to beach or mountains, shopping, and downtown is finally coming back. Duke! (says it all) We are the “City of Medicine” in case we get sick (people come from all over the world for treatment). Plus low unemployment, decent priced homes and plenty of history and cultural events (like the American Dance Festival). I’m from the midwest and I love it here–will never go back. Good call–I’m not surprised we’re #12.
Currently a dual resident of Omaha, NE and Tampa Bay Area, Florida and there sure is a contrast. Omaha, with a metro area of 825,000, while not in a 100 year boom is flourishing with business growth, commercial building, forward looking developments, great job market, etc. Afer returning from a recent trip to the Tampa Bay area (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and more) they are in the midst of a full blown recession and possibly worse. I think they are all watching too much CNN, FOX, MSNBC because there are great possibilities, but too much negativity about the area in the local news. This area, like most of Florida is beat up from real estate overbuilding and bubble prices, but otherwise there seems to be business growth and some underlying vitality. I say turn off the news and grow to Florida. Good articles on all the communities I have looked at.
Charleston is a great city, but it is difficult to visit. I was there recently and the traffic and congestion was incredible for a city that size.
One of the best kept secrets for individuals/families wishing to move to a safe and conservative community. Given there is no state income tax in Wyoming, no sales tax on food, and some of the lowest property taxes in the entire company, your dollar certainly goes farther here than just across the border in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah and Montana!
Alex Wolf is right on the money about Owings Mills, MD. The portrayal in this list would have you believe that Owings Mills is a small, cozy little town with rolling green hills and farms. Not so.
Due to changing demographics, Owings Mills Mall, which used to be a premiere destination for shopping, is actively being abandoned by retailers.
Schools are indeed overcrowded and your children will not have the best of peers.
Worst of all, LA gangs are making a major move into an adjacent city, and the gang members are starting to come to Owings Mills to play. NOT GOOD.
Buyer be ware.
I cannot believe that Omaha was so high on the list. What was the criteria? Omaha and Nebraska as a whole have some of the highest tax rates in the country. The school system is ranked as one of the lowest. I think people who have never lived anywhere else think it’s fantastic, but those are the only people. I would hardly call it cultural. And yes they may get an occasional big name concert, but the only other thing they have is Husker Football. The only reason Omaha is growing is because people who live in other parts of NE are moving there – not other parts of the US.
We moved from Omaha to Kansas City and currently live right in the heart of Kansas City proper. If you are a young adult, it’s a great place to live. Tons to do, tons to see and its a shame the school system is so poor because that is it’s ONLY downfall. I would much prefer to live in KCMO than on the Kansas side. The Kansas side is almost as dull and lifeless as Omaha!
LeMay is fine just the way it is. Do we have to put a casino everywhere? Just because it will create approx. 100 jobs., it will bring the whole guady, showy image to an already beautiful, natural appearance. It has the power to corrupt and damage way more lives than the ones it will help to employ. We need to start finding other more productive ways to encourage the growth of a city.
Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner! Thank you, Ray Dobson, for showing your ignorance in amazing ways! First of all, Longboat Key is two words not three and the only trailer park left in Sarasota is the one you live in. You probably lived in Bradentuckey anyways. Oh, and btw, Tampa is only an hour away and Miami is 3 1/2.
Never heard Sarasota referred to as ‘Sar’. Only SRQ for short. But my sentiments are the same: Sarasota is a great place for younger peeps. The waters of the Bay and Gulf are awesome, the fishing is fantastic and the beaches are beautiful. We need to do something about that pesky City Commission however.
The new Sarasota is a younger, more tech-savvy crowd. With projects like the Proscenium coming to town from Lion’s Gate Construction, which promises to bring with it the Waldorf Astoria, things here are definately on the up and up. As long as the City Commission doesn’t interfere with our growth and the housing market rebounds in a timely manner, Sarasota should move within the top 50 by 2010.
I have lived here my entire life and have seen it grown from a sleepy military town to a world wide destination for tourism. The climate is great both weather and business. Real estate is still affordable, unless you have to live on the water. Come on and join us in Charleston
Upstate NY (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany) is the best-kept secret in the country!
You live in Jordan,MN- of course you don’t like Minnesota. There is nothing to do in your area! There are so many ways to make friends in MN its ridiculous. There are tons of sport and common interest groups you can join. It’s not just about finding friendly people but its also your attitude that counts. I no longer live in MN but no matter where I’ve lived (WI & upstate NY) I’ve always been able to make friends…maybe it’s my “Minnesota Nice” attitude.
I lived in Worcester, Ma, all of my life. I just recently had the good fortune to move away. It is a very run down city. Living there for any long period of time has a very depressing effect on your mood. There are an awful lot of people living under the poverty line. I worked for Rentacenter and got a very good look at all the people struggling in this city. There is however 10 colleges, but just the overall feeling of the city is rundown, and ugly. I have recently moved to the triangle area in NC and am thrilled to be here, or maybe just to have left depressing depressing Worcester.
Blue Ash, Ohio —- come on!
Blue Ash is no different than the rest of the Cincinnati burbs. You can drive through Blue Ash and never know that you were there. Everything around there looks the same. A start up needs a lot of things but none of what it needs are any more available in Blue Ash then they are in any other sub of Cincinnati. Geez.
Posted By Dave, Fort Wayne, IN : April 6, 2008 8:24 pm
I have lived on Oahu for 3 and a half years, I’m from Detroit and lived in Europe… I live in Blue Ash, Ohio for a number of reasons. All of them are fantastic (I would have to say that the awesome public school system is my #1 choice though).
$70/year recreation center cost for the ENTIRE family. Gorgeous and clean city. Safe community. Fantastic restaurants. Great civil services for residents and employers. Very affordable taxes. Again, awesome school system. Community services out the wazoo… Summer festivals with free concerts weekly (just about!)…
Ya… whatever, Mr. Ft. Wayne. You can stay there and I will stay here – and not in any other suburb in Cincinnati – I chose Blue Ash specifically.
Portland is a great place to start a business if you can network quickly to the dyed-in-the-wool old boy network of Portlanders that will not open up quickly to your new scheme.
The terrain is changing, however, with influx of many younger folk.
Taxes are high (Mult. County) for businesses, highest compound taxes I think in the country. Real Estate is way higher than average wages, and Min. wage is higher than national average.
So besides highly educated people that won’t work for peanuts (can’t afford to), some stuffy old school, old money people that rule the business climate, lack of many large employers and high prices to get settled,
I think its a great town to get going in (just don’t even think of a Restaurant ~ there are so many great ones, it is a tough competition esp. in this economy)
If you are unique enough, driven enough and Kashi enough (or wear Birkenstocks and hug trees) you may be able to get off the ground here.
Just don’t expect a lot of people to support or notice.
Their pretty ego-centric, and flakey w/ regards to any loyalty of brand or business.
Carlsbad, CA is sooooo overrated. The layout is awful and so is the “beach” which lacks sand. There is crime and gangs but you can get an ugly house built in the 70’s for $550,000+!!!
Have a look at Fairfield,IA in your next research.
Stafford(#36) is a DUMP. I live in the Houston area and the only thing there is a tiny little theatre.
SARASOTA, SARASOTA, SARASOTA!!! THE BEST. We have it all…Really. Sar should be in the top 10…the jewel of the Southwest coast of FL…believe it! The jobs are all coming here and in Manatee county…many are relocating from ALL OVER THE WORLD! We just had a sunglass manufacturing firm relocate from California to Bradenton (they were originally a German corp)..talking multi million dollar corp. and it was not because of the (as some like to say) housing bubble…it was because the “friendly” business environment, low taxes, perfect weather and real good working class…this place is no longer for retirement but for business and pleasure..you have both. No need to go anywhere else. I know I moved my small business to Sar and loving it. Further since gas is not going down soon why not move somewhere where you can work and play and stay.
And that is not all. Sar has a great downtown you can walk everywhere, bike, swim all year round. I would say yes now is the time.
I moved from Charlotte, NC to Owings Mills, MD five years ago and I love it. I love the diverse environment and its close proximity to DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
COLCHESTER, VT # 100? IF IT’S IN VERMONT IT’S ANTI BUSINESS. DO THE RESEARCH.
Durham? High Taxes. Insane School Board. High Crime. Crazy City Council. Dangerous Mall. Just read their newspaper, The Herald Sun, and you can see for yourself. I think the list compilers omitted a few facts from their fact finding.
From WRAL: “Since 1999, five people have been killed or injured on Northgate Mall property.”
From The Herald Sun: “The state Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a first-degree murder conviction and sentence of life in prison without parole for Lamar Dameian Bass, convicted last year of pumping three lethal bullets into the back of a teenager outside the former Hecht’s store at Northgate Mall.”
Downtown Durham does have some charm and lots of room for redevelopment and renovation but it is definitely not the best place to live or do business in The Triangle. Perhaps the results of this list will cause in influx of new residents who can cause change in the City and County governments. Good luck.
I’m a 22-year-resident of Durham N.C., and proud to be a citizen here. I’m also pleased to be a citizen of the N.C. Triangle, and while I live in Durham I also enjoy the amenities of Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill. (For that matter, I also hang out in the Triad area — Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point — and Burlington/Elon, easily accessible via I-85/40.)
The partisan remarks posted here by various Carolinians about their respective cities are amusing but also infuriating. Every city has its good points and bad. I live in Durham because housing costs here generally are lower than in other parts of the Triangle, and because I like the political tension between the “progressive” and “conservative” communities here. In combination with the rest of the Triangle, job opportunities remain reasonable (if you have a car), and arts, food, and entertainment offerings can keep one busy seven nights a week. Four hours to the Atlantic Ocean, three hours from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Durham’s crime problem is exaggerated by outsiders (including, I believe, realtors in neighboring Wake and Orange counties who want to sell homes to newly arrived employees in Research Triangle Park). Yes, there are a few residential areas where I wouldn’t go at night, but I feel safe downtown after dark.
Durham still struggles with two sad legacies of the early 20th century: racial discrimination and the tobacco industry. African-Americans make up about half the city’s population, and black voters play an important part in local and state government. Unfortunately, some black leaders here are always ready to use the race card as the ultimate qualification for public office, and there is a reverse “good ol’ boy” system in Durham that seems to protect, or at least excuse, poor performance on the part of certain local officials because they are black. Many black citizens continue to live in substandard housing, and some struggle with gang violence, illegal drugs, and a disproportionately elevated school dropout rate. Other N.C. cities have similar problems, but they seem amplified in Durham because of the high proportion of African-American citizens. The excellence of many local colleges and universities (including N.C. Central University, an historically black school in Durham)is not easily accessible to many Durham residents (including Latinos, who make up roughly 10 percent of the population).
Cigarette manufacturing (and to a lesser extent, textiles) made Durham a fairly wealthy working-class city by the 1950s. The subsequent decline of tobacco and textiles in N.C. has probably been a good thing for many in Durham, because of the new emphasis on higher-paying tech jobs in the Triangle area as a whole. But a lot of citizens here, white and black, have been left out of the Triangle’s tech boom, in part because of inadequate, racially divided school systems (predominantly white “county” schools and predominantly black “city” schools, before the two systems merged in the mid-90s) and in part because of inadequate public transportation. (The entire Triangle badly needs a light rail system, or something like it, but the component cities have not worked hard enough to come together and make it a reality.) Durham’s downtown, mostly a relic of the tobacco boom times, struggles to find some relevance to the lives of many citizens who live in outlying areas of the city and who seldom venture downtown. The American Tobacco/Durham Bulls Athletic Park complex has made a start in that direction, but there remains a lot of work to do to bring retail businesses back to downtown, which would make it much easier to attract middle-class residents there.
Despite its problems, Durham is moving in the right direction to improve its educational system and infrastructure. The work force is eager and the resources are here to train it. Office and manufacturing space are reaonable and available. As a place for new and enlarging businesses, Durham offers a lot of promise, if not exactly paradise.
Raleigh and Durham are great places to live and launch a business thanks to the help from organizations like the Council For Entrepreneurial Development. The collaboration in the Triangle is something you won’t find anywhere else.
We moved to Durham almost 11 yrs ago, after having lived in Canada, England & many very nice cities in America, we fell in love with Durham & decided to make it Home! The comments about being the armpit of NC are ridiculous, they obviously have not visted Durham in a long time. It is as safe as many cities it size and most of the crime occurs only in certain areas. This city has culture galore, some of the best dining in the State & a restaurant that is consistantly voted among the top 15 by gourmet magazines. The archtecture of the old tobacco warehouses is amazing & they are not being torn down, but instead being adapted to mix use developments. Durham Rocks!
Minneapolis is a terrible place if you want to have friends. I have lived in Houston, San Francisco, and Indianapolis and have found them much more welcoming. After three years, my wife and I only have friends who have moved in from out of state.
Schools are good, but they shame you every election year into raising tax levies or else “our fabulous Minnesota schools will fail”.
I wish I could say something good about Minneapolis, but after three years here, we are frustrated with a state that turned a 2 billion tax surplus into an $800 million deficit in a year. We are ready to move.
Moved to Durham from NYC 10 years ago, and love it. Crime is better than where we used to live; if we want to experience what Raleigh and Chapel Hill have to offer, it’s a 30 minute drive. Durham is the underdog in the Triangle, and we like it that way. I don’t understand what these other posts are complaining about with Durham. Sour grapes.
Colorado Springs – Beautiful but using Focus on the Family as a SELLING point?? HA! Only if we can get all those people here together and put a fence around it to keep them from breeding with outsiders!
Ya PLEASE..Boulder? Ummmm not unless you enjoy lack of personal freedom….
Honululu? Home of the $29.95 Value Meal? Local on White discrimination and lack of everything except salt water.
I think Rapid City South Dakota should be included, but then again it seems these people didn’t do their research.
Why do so many of us (me included) live places we HATE? I’ll tell you this, I’m moving in the next 4 months, somewhere I can be PROUD to say I love.
Everyone else, move to Colorado Springs and make some room around the rest of the country..for me!
lol
It is about time Durham is being recognized (#12)- I have been living in Durham, NC for five years now and it is a beautiful place to live. There are bad parts of every city and you can’t judge a city by those parts. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA (#60) and needed to get away because of the mentality of the area. It is a very old – slow growth place and high priced to boot. Durham is much better place with lower cost of living with an upward mobility of young people with fresh ideas.
I would like to know how much money you were paid and by whom. Durham NC is a freakin joke to those of us who live in the area. Even most people who live in Durham know that this is a joke. The crime rate is outrageous. Apparently, Fortune does not care about their creditability …
I have lived in Pittsburgh, PA all my life and there are plenty of places and ways to start a business, but it all comes at a price. Bars and resturantes generally don’t do well in their initial years, especially if they pander to the upper class. To some it’s considered the confederate capital of the north because of the mentality of a considerable amount of the working class. It has been and will always be a union town, which has both its positives and negatives.
The crime really isn’t as bad as the article would have you believe. I feel that the education the state offers is very good in the suburban areas around the city and we have plenty of post secondary education institutions.
It’s just all about the demand for your type of service and your customer service.
Orlando is a war zone. I want to move back to New York City–where it is safer!
They call Durham the arm pit of North Carolina for a reason. I lived in Durham in the late 90’s, most people that have their choice live in Raleigh or Chapel Hill. High crime and scary unkept neighborhoods take away from the quality of life in Durham. The cost of living was nice and low though.
Native of Montana and longtime resident of Missoula. The influx of population and the inability of the infrastructure to support it was the primary reason we moved away in the early 90’s. Home prices quadrupled in a decade, the only jobs left for those of us who have to work are flipping the proverbial burgers, the geography (mountain valley) is incapable of processing the wastes of what has become high density living and the people who are moving into the area seem to have no sense of community. The goal is to buy 8 acres, put a fence around it, call it some cutesy thing like “mother’s load” , dress up like a cowboy and threaten to shoot anyone who tresspasses or steals the water. It is beautiful if one can see past the mansions of the neuvo riche and celebrity, but sadly it seems to attract those who are more concerned with where they are than who they are. Missoula is the place indeed if one wants to look at beautiful scenery and choke in high density living.
#30. Lyndhurst, best places to live in New Jersey: I’ve have been living in Lyndhurst for 7 years now and I love it here. We have our own city in the suburbs. Everything you need is in walking distance and the recreation department has wonderful programs for the children. Anyone you meet who grew up here here makes you feel like you did too. A lot of people who have 9-5 jobs volunteer their time to the community. The schools and teachers are great. Kids are respectable and curtious. Taxes are reasonable. Police officers are involved in the community and do a great job protecting it. Your neighbors watch out for your children and you do the same for them. Our neigherhood is clean, neat and free of litter. You’re in driving distance of all the major malls, shopping centers and highways as well.
I’m greatful to be able to raise my 4 children here.
Honolulu isn’t as business-friendly as this article would have you believe. It’s a double-taxation state in which the tax advantages listed apply only to a certain tiny sector of the market. The more interesting fact is that a little over half the businesses employ 4 or less employees – the article doesn’t state that these are generally family-run, some reaching back 3-4 generations. Recent global speculation in real estate in Honolulu has driven home prices out of the reach of most residents of the city, forcing adults in a household to work two or more jobs to fund their mortgages.
Agriculture is limited to just a few types of crop; and there are precious few places to build anymore. It is a city with gorgeous beaches and tropical views that has a density of high rises that stagger the mind.
I hardly agree that it belongs on this list, and sadly, it used to be my home town.
Greensboro – i lived and worked there for 12 years (school from 1991-1995, then worked until laid off in 2003). Greensboro is for college students (flee when you graduate), older folks that live comfortably, couples with children that live comfortably, or the “old money” rich. It’s not very progressive and I was bored to tears (literally at time) when I was there. Work was the only thing that kept me in the area. I did a commute for a year (from my current city of Charlotte to Greensboro) and the first day reminded me of why I hated the place so much.
Raleigh – I’m from Raleigh and I like it. It’s got a lot of traffic for no good reason but it’s a nice place whether you are a college student or a young family with children starting out. Still country though…
Charlotte – out of the 3 i like it the best. have been living here for about 5 years. It may not be the most culturally rich place there is but it works for me at this point in my life. The traffic is a bit much at times as well but it’s trying to be a booming city so that’s what you get. it’s like a cross between Raleigh and Atlanta – and that is a plus for me. I like places like Atlanta and Chicago and New York but they would eventually eat me alive.
Google is NOT in Omaha, NE. Google is in Coucil Bluffs, IOWA…
Winston-Salem, NC is a great little city which features lots of arts and culture–and the living is easy compared to many other cities with similar amenities. We live in a historic neighborhood near downtown and can walk to almost everything we need–restaurants, clubs, bank, library, etc. I grew up in N.Y.C and have lived in Seattle, Portland OR, London, Paris, Austin and Berkeley. Sure, W-S is a small city but that’s part of what makes it nice and it’s certainly come a long way since I moved here 15 years ago. I’m happy to say that it’s moving in the right direction, controlling sprawl and big box development. The downtown is being revitalized and that is very exciting. Lots of theatre, music, art, and festivals of all kinds. The weather here is wonderful –four distinct seasons but winter is mild. Spring here is heaven on earth. Dogwoods, azaleas, weeping cherries, flowers everywhere. Unbelievable.
Columbus Indiana is known for Cummins and its architecture designs, yes. However, one of the best-kept-secrets is the difficulty newcomers (people who transfer to Columbus) experience when trying to acclimate to the city. The city does not send out the Welcome Wagon. In fact, often, it is down right impossible to fit in. People in Columbus have an ethnocentric viewpoint of themselves and a lack of appreciation for new ideas and new people. Columbus has a “Get-er-done” mentality.
Rochester Minnesota is the SHIZNET! It pretty much puts all other cities to shame…especially Omaha. I believe that you all need to get your rankings straight, starting with the Rock Town as numero uno. Ra, Ra, Rochester!!!
Santa Fe and its surrounding area is really a paradise on earth. Anyone who never been, has truly missed one of the great masterpieces of city management respecting mother nature.
Stafford, TX? I guess if you like a town that epitomizes suburban sprawl, laced with a bit of good ‘ol ultra-conservative, church going, xenophobic conservatism, then Stafford is your place.
Well, maybe Katy or Spring would bypass it on the suburban rating.
The Houston area definitely is a bargain. But if you are willing to put up with the heat, humidity, mosquitoes and ocassional hurricane, then perhaps living out on US 59 in Stafford, and commuting in some of the worst traffic in the US, isn’t that much more of a bother.
However, if you are going to put up with those environmental issues, you might think about living centrally in Houston (Heights, West U, Bellaire, Rice Military, Garden Oaks, etc) where you can take advantage of the arts, music, sports, restaurants and international flair of the city.
I guess I don’t understand your ratings. I lived in Charlotte, NC for over 8 years and now lived in Nashville one year. I have to say. The culture in Nashville, ie, restaurants, nightlife, music, sports, downtown areas are far better (I believe) than Charlotte. In addition, the Karst topography in Nashville, and rolling hills provide for some of the most magnificant landscape. Don’t get me wrong, Charlotte was a nice town, but its such a superficial place to live. Charlotte has absolutely no cultural identity of its own. Honestly, most of the people I met were from NY, NJ,PA, and Ohio and it seemed like everyone worked for Bank of America or Wachovia. Most of the houses being built there are all cheap “cookie cutter” homes due to the greed of large developers. Subsequently, Charlotte’s lack of control of their development and lack of adequate planning has resulted in some of the most impaired rivers and streams in the country (ie, the Catawba River – Google it).
Lived in Oro Valley 4 1/2 years. Good roads. Great mountain views. Town blends in with the natural features. Bike paths and hiking trails all over the place. Lots of roadside art. Well manicured. Golf courses all over if you golf (not me). Catalina St Pk close by. Good library. Lots of saguaro cactus. Well planned master communities. Lack of shopping and restaurants a problem but getting better. New hospital. Super Wal-Mart and shopping center coming which will decrease driving miles. CON: Local cops are not friendly and zero tolerance (they have a reputation in the area for that).
A well-kept secret in eastern North Carolina is the small town of Tarboro. Start with a well-maintained historic district of very affordable homes, a semi-revitalized downtown ready for business, add an influx of artsy-trendy entreprenuer types and grassroots activists, then top it off with an excellent infrastructure for internet-based businesses. What you have is a great place to get in on the ground floor and help grow the town into exactly what you want it to be.
What do I think about Asheville? Well, the “diversity” is a joke – don’t ever believe it’s here if someone says so. The job market has hobbled for years, and wages stink. Add to that the fact that New Englanders and Floridians drive up our property values (by buying homes at inflated prices), making it hard to young families and professionals to find affordable housing. Then you have greedy developers who want to destroy our natural landscaping to sell half-million dollar lots. It’s a travesty.
Seeing Manchester NH on the list only solidifies what most Granite Staters already know about this changing city.
A former mill town that was a depressed area in the 70’s and 80’s has made a massive comeback due to the friendly NH business climate.
It also helps that NH has been recognised as the best place to raise a family, has one of the best education systems in the country and one of the lowest crime rates etc.
The Manchester area, as opposed to southern NH (below exit 4 on I-93), is more affordable in housing and property taxes and does not have the influences of a creeping Boston high cost of living mentality like Nashua, Salem and Portsmouth.
With a rapidly growing regional airport, a massive highway expansion and eventual commuter rail between Boston and Manchester, the entire Manchester-Boston corridor is going to become a prime market for expanding businesses needing the right climate of low taxation and educated workforce.
The down side is our cold winters, if you don’t like the cold, then it’s a long 5 months for you.
The only New England area that surprised me was Worcester, its not much better than Lawrence MA and I have NO IDEA how it made itself onto this list.
Brookfield, Wisconsin is a great place to live. We are right in the middle of Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Minneapolis. It is a beautiful community with shopping, parks, lakes, etc. and our taxes are less than surrounding communities.
Thanks for the article – as a Pittsburgher, always good to read good things about our beloved city.
I’m one who was born here, left after college for the bigger cities (Dallas/TX, Los Angeles/CA, Portland/OR, Boston/MA area) and returned – twice now – this time probably to take root.
The national media exposure for the PA Primaries this past week gave us an additional insight into how we are “branded” – I didn’t hear ‘rust belt’ or ‘steel city’, but I think I did hear ‘hard-working’…and that’s a proud tradition, be it blue-collar, white-collar or no-collar (techies unite?!)…
I’ve been in the higher education world in the ‘burgh now for the past six years, back at one of the schools from which I earned a very valuable degree, and in addition to it being a joy professionally (melding my art, science, law and business backgrounds), it’s an investment in the next generations, whom we all hope will invest their talents in our fair city.
Sometimes you have to leave to appreciate what you had, and I’m a good example of that, as are many others now back in ‘the ‘burgh’.
Thanks again for the exposure!
Linda
Note: I already filed this comment under the story about Buford, GA. But I wanted to repeat it here, in case some of you missed it:
As a former resident of Suwanee, GA (which is also in Gwinnett County), I can tell you that the whole metropolitan-Atlanta area is highly OVER-RATED. Aside from the fact that if you take a wrong turn you will quickly end up in ‘Hazzard County’, here are some other things to consider: The traffic is absolutely horrible, the building standards for new/newer homes are very low (meaning the house will look good when it’s brand new, but you WILL be putting money into it within a few years), and the shopping and retail areas are not very convenient (mostly just a bunch of strip malls). There really aren’t any of the interesting and fun ‘downtown’ areas that you find in Greenwich, CT, Santa Barbara, CA or Birmingham, MI. And let’s face it – as far as cities go, Atlanta can’t really measure up to great cities like New York, Chicago or San Francisco.
When we first moved down there, Lake Lanier was touted as a great boating/ vacation/recreation area. What a joke!! Most of Lanier is a third-rate dump at best (when it actually has water), and can’t hold a candle to Michigan’s Great Lakes or other magnificent lakes and waterways around the U.S., such as Long Island Sound, or the inlets and harbors in the Pacific Northwest.
Furthermore, speaking of water, there is an ongoing drought that is expected to continue for some time. I don’t know what criteria you’re using to establish Buford as a top location, but access to adequate water is pretty high on my quality-of-life index. Especially in an area where the summers are very long, very hot and very humid.
I realize that your organization is biased toward the area since you’re located in downtown Atlanta – but beyond that, I really can’t understand the appeal of the place. There are many places throughout the U.S. that are much, much better.
You really need to re-think your rankings. There are many of us that just don’t find droughts, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters very appealing.
Syracuse
Are you kidding.
Nine months of winter and three months of poor sledding. With the exception of a few mocked up downtown streets. The rest of the city is surrounded by getto. Parking will bleed you dry and the cost of living along with high property and every other NY tax will drain your pockets real fast. Utilities are more then anyone should have to pay. Nothing more then organized crime. But then there are some really greedy companies here waiting to pounce on anyone with a paycheck. Insurance cost reflect on winter accidents. And when you do file a claim they try to scam you. Automotive repairs and cost are effected by the crappy weather which never seems to end. You wonder, where the hell is Al Gore when you need him. It seems every morning you turn on the news and someone else has been shot and killed. Standing on the corner makes you feel like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. I, took my car to three different shops for an inspection and got 10 different reasons why they could not pass it and had a need to get all my money. All the shops findings were different. Looks like they are scamming people too. Good thing the government regulates these companies or we might get taken advantage of. Try finding a job that pays over $12 bucks an hour. They keep dropping the average poverty level to compete with the amount of people falling into poverty. It is amazing the wages drop and product doubles but the average income stays above poverty. Numbers game. As soon as the weather breaks they close off (for repairs) just about every major thrufare to the city so it takes you twice as long to get anywhere. And why does it take the road crews months to fix a road they fixed last year? Road rage is everywhere. It seems to have become common practice to wave with your middle finger. One guy actully strted blowing his horn at me because I would not run the red light so he could run the red light. He started waving at me, so I of couse, waved back with both fingers many times out the window. Did not want him to think I was unfriendly. So there you have it. If you are thinking about killing yourself. Syracuse is an excellent place to consider.
Beloved Boise!! I was born and raised, been away and came back. Real quick on the “Outdoors” which was vaguely mentioned in the Boise clip. Within 1 hour drive of downtown (some <20 minutes), here’s a few rec activities to contemplate on any given day:
Epic….Fishing, Camping, Backpacking, Day Hiking, Hunting, White Water Rafting/kayaking, Snow Skiing (down/cross), Bird Watching, Cave Exploring, Mountain Biking, Paragliding, Sky Diving, Waterskiing, River Jet Boating.
Boise is truly soul food, with 4 distinct seasons providing all you would want during each one.
San Francisco is a sewer with the dirtiest downtown in America. That’s why it’s not on the list
To those of you who think Minneapolis is terrible: I feel sorry that you are unable to embrace such a wonderful place. I am a female, 24, who currently lives and works in Omaha and can’t wait to move back to Minneapolis, where I am from. Sure, the weather is cold, but by having gruesome weather, it retains truly hearty, down-to-earth people. There is a lot of diversity, culture and opportunities. It has a great education system, corporate scence, awesome healthcare and a lot of community service opportunities.
Omaha is one of the worst places for any single twentysomething. It’s impossible to meet someone who is not your old classmate’s, cousin’s best friend. (You get he picture.) The town has zero culture and is loaded with close-minded conservative people. Intelligent conversations are hard to come by, as the majority of the people here don’t know anything outside of the Cornhusker State. I applaud those of you Omahans who have lived elsewhere and I respect you for having loyalty in your hometown by coming back. I admit, most people are extremely nice as I have a lot of friends here, but the majority are very close-minded.
I’ve lived in Georgetown my whole life (21 years) and LOVED it up until recently. It is growing so fast, I don’t even recognize anyone anymore when I go to the store. Used to, you could go to HEB or Walmart and see many friends. Now they are all strangers. Our high school is over crowded, although they are building another. I believe Sun City ruined our nice town. Now we have a shopping center on almost every corner. People drive around town like we live in a big city, fast and rude. Having put us on the #2 spot will just make it worse.
I enjoyed the list of where to live and launch, but your writers misspoke in using the word “towns” to describe your top 100 places. All of them are *cities.* For a 2 1/2 minute look at what it’s like to run a business in a genuine town of 920 people, please see my video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HgjPdfGiE .
Brunswick, Maine is a great little town with wonderful cultural events. I love being close to a great city like Portland, too. The area is adjacent to rivers, ponds, lakes, and the ocean. Oops, I may have said too much. Mainers want tourists not a major influx.
OK for those of uou that don’t know about Coeur d’Alene i feel bad for you. It has one of the top alpine lakes in the worl (national geographic), it has the worlds only fully floating green, it has the worlds longest flaoting boardwalk, it is host of i believe the worlds third largest Ironman competitions. It is also was named the best city to retire young n all of america. It really is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. There are so many lakes near by and it is called the lake city. The resort is beautiful and there is a lot of money put into the city. It is easily better city than Bosie but you have to see it to believe. There really isn’t a better area you want to be in if you like to go out on the lake or ski in the winter. Come and visit you won’t regret it cause you might not leave it.
My family and I love living in Stafford (22 years). It’s got a small-town feel with and up-town venue. The taxes are the best and we have Mayor Scarcella, City Council and all of our City Government departments to thank for making Stafford a great place to call home. And I can assure you, it is only getting better!!
LEESBURG VA – I live here and moved here from the DC beltway for just the reasons listed. What’s not stated, though is the unique aspect of Leesburg — it’s at the boundary between the Appalachians (the trail is 20 minutes away) and metropolitan DC. So you can enjoy horse, hiking, white water rafting nearby. Also, we’re at mile marker 34 for the rail-to-trail bike path that leads into DC, and out further west for cyclists and hikers. On the other hand, DC — and all its culture like shows, concerts, museums — are very accessible as well. Finally, the county offers this premium buses to DC — the type of coaches used for tours — at a low price. They even allow coffee on board. Great 45 minute commute with a chance to nap or read the paper. LOVE THIS PLACE. “The Minks”
State College is an amazing town.
1. Public School system is amazing
2. PSU campus has in amazing
3. Everyone is smart
4. One of the best business programs in the naiton at PSU, very business oriented town.
5. Every resource a business would need can be found here.
6. Huge room for expansion and business start ups.
7. Opportunities for everyone, from high school to the retired.
8. College minded town
9. Liberal, yet businessly conservative.
Zionsville Indiana is an AMAZING place to live. The school system is one of, if not the best in the state. It is a great place to start your own business. Not to mention the beauty and zeal of the town. I have lived in 10 different states and could not imagine myself anywhere else than in Zionsville.
BEWARE OF COPS IN NAPPERVILLE IL> YOU WILL GET A TICKET FOR GOING 40 in 35 MPH zone>
Fort Lauderdale is a very nice town. I live here and absolutely hate it when I have to drive to Miami. The traffic in Fort Lauderdale is smoother, people are more polite, and there is a good economic diversity. Yes, the subprime fallout has made its mark, but my area of town is doing well (single family home area with little speculative buying). It’s a great community for diversity of belief, race, and orientation. The current Mayor is a doofus but he is on his way out. The metropolitan area as a whole is well run. What we do need is a light rail, and I hope the plans will come together soon
I am so happy that the town of Hamden is finally being recognized as one of the premier places to live in this country. The blend of suburban and urban neighborhoods is what makes this town great. The diversity of cultures in Hamden makes it a place for eveyone to live. Business in Hamden is always bustling, and it seems like new businesses are relocating to Hamden every day.
In response to JF of New Haven, I am having trouble seeing your point. New Haven is where I was born, and I love the city, the Green, the businesses, and the atmosphere. But on the other side, New Haven has rough places that have to be driven to like every other American city. It is funny you mention Wal-Mart and Home Depot because Hamden did not have those places until recently. And I’m sure people driving through New Haven don’t see the big, ugly, blue and gold IKEA building sticking out like a sore thumb. Take a drive down Whitney Ave in Hamden, and you will find private businesses and town landmarks just like any other New England town. And as for the center of town, Hamden was a part of New Haven until 1786. The collection of neighborhoods formed to create one town; Hamden. So that is why there isn’t a distinguished center of town like the New Haven Green. But I’m sure you already knew all of that.
I have to agree with Omaha at #22. I was recently part of a Young professionals conference here in Omaha and we had over 1000 people attend. I have lived in New York and Chicago and Omaha has a community that is much more willing to embrace small businesses (I am working on starting one as well so I know what I am talking about). This is a great place to be.
I’ve been in Worcester since 1979 and have seen it go through incredible changes. Like so many other cities, there are two sides to the equation. If you’re living above the line, you’re enjoying an enormous variety of ethnic cuisines in inexpensive restaurants, the benefits of a world class art museum, the advantages of proximity to nearly every major city in New England, a poetry/live music circuit that’s just amazing and relatively low rents and housing prices (on the way down now, actually, as investor landlords are finding that they can’t keep charging Boston rents for Worcester housing, and can’t get out of the properties they bought for $300k when the housing market has tanked and the market values are $100k less).
Unfortunately, there’s also a down side of being the second largest city in the region. There’s a gang problem that no one wants to admit, and a job gap that catches both the young and the ‘overaged’ worker squarely in the middle. All these lovely folks who live here because ‘it’s a short commute to Boston’ have driven housing prices out of the range of most long-term residents who rent, and sky-rocketing heating prices over the past few years have made it a challenge to pay the rent and the bills, put food on the table and take advantage of all those wonderful advantages.
I grew up in the Midwest, a large part of that time was spent in Fargo, ND. I think if you were to narrow the idea if best place to live to number of business and average cost of a home, Fargo, ND would rank #23, I think quality of life should also include some diversity, in which you will get very little to none in North Dakota, also most college graduates move away from the area for lack of employment opportunities, the opportunities that are available are middle management, dead end, and under paid. There are only a few major industries in the area, one of which is customer service. Tack on cold long winters, overly conservative, secluded, and alienating, low cost of living just isn’t enough; Fargo, ND ranks in my top 5 worst places to live and raise children.
Give me a break, there is nothing for younger people to do in KC MO or KC, whether you reside in the burbs or not. We relocated here from Chicago Suburbs and I hate it here. I feel like this is a tour of duty I don’t like and waiting to ETS.
I live in Bellingham, WA #27 and absolutely love it!!! There is beauty everywhere–Anyone who appreciates the outdoors would just love it here. All winter there is Mt. Baker to ski/snowboard. There are endless trails for running, hiking, mountain biking. The lakes and bay for swimming, boating, kayaking, sailing, ect. Not to mention it is an hour from Vancouver BC which is an amazing city, and 100 miles north of Seattle, which is an amazing city as well. There is always something to do. I came here to go to college and have yet to leave, after 7 years, I’m looking into buying a home finally. I just don’t want to leave here!
I am so glad I do not live in a city where all the residents claim it to be the “gem of the south.” (Charlotte, NC) Give me a break. We who live in Raleigh let our city speak for itself. It’s a great place to live.
I love raising our son in Plainsboro. The town is truly a melting pot of diversity which allows my son to learn so much about other cultures, etc. The new area of resturants and shops is a nice addition and a great place to eat if I’m getting home a little late to make dinner. Our son has had such exposure in the school system with amazing, creative teachers.
Sarasota is on the list at 90 it is a beautiful place to live but there is absolutely no work here and it will be a very long time before this area rebounds. If you have and money and can afford to buy then now is the time. There is no working class here only rich and retirees Medical is about the only field here. I have lived here give or take 20 yrs and this is the worst I have ever seen it.
Austin, Tejas, is a great place to live and work. The traffic and summer heat SUCK, but you will never run out of new things to do here and the people are very friendly. It’s affordable, compared to most places, and the “vibe” is very positive.
Moved to Greensboro about 2 years ago from NJ. If you like a society where you do not mind being with people around you, don’t come here. If you are retired and bored with your life, please do(its cheap too). Closed minded people are welcome here…I cannot wait to get out of here.
Missoula, #71, is a wonderful technology town with one of the top webhosting companies, not just the U of M. There’s also going to be a technology conference in April, Missoula BarCamp 2008, which the Missoula Area Economic Development Corp is helping put on. There are also active einformal technology discussion groups, and the Montana Web Developers Association.
I am a student at Hamden High School in Hamden,CT(#33 in the list). I was voted Most School Spirit and I also love the town I live in. The town has great businesses and it seems like more are built everyday. In Hamden city and country blend, which makes the town more unique than any other town in Connecticut. I am so proud Hamden,CT made this list.
Pittsburgh.
I recently moved back to Pittsburgh after graduating from university in 1993.
I am looking forward to engaging the resources for starting a technology company here.
Business revenue will have to be generated nationally or internationally, not locally, as Pittsburgh’s local economy is stagnant.
Property/income taxes, unions costs and the city’s provincial mentality are Pittsburgh’s biggest detriments.
Pittsbugh’s small town charm, affordable housing, green belts, and cultural offerings are in the plus category.
I live in Batavia IL which is near Naperville It is a great place to live. It should of made the list. The schools are some of the best in Illinois. I raised a family of 6 and I loved every minute of it. Plus its so close to Chicago. To all you young couples I highly recommend it.
Lyndhurst, NJ is a great town to live in. My Wife and I moved to Lyndhurst from a crime infested neiborhood in Brooklyn and we never looked back. Lyndhurst is a working class town and people live modestly. It really is a slice of heaven and we are happy to live here.
You have to be kidding me. I live there, Minneapolis is a hole.
Kansas City, MO, live on the Kansas side in what was describe a KC,MO suburb, assure you it is not. While KC, MO has many advantages for the business community, it has many disadvantages as well, the city itself suffers from a failing school system, crime and violence. However, the suburban areas and counties surrounding the city have some of the best schools, communities, and resources in the nation. It is a very family oriented area, with a great deal to offer anyones interests an needs. However keep in mind that its best to live outside of the KC, MO city itself with the exception of the upper class.
There’s a photo of Bethlehem, PA, but not of Radnor Twp??? Odd. I noticed that Radnor and only one other town out of 100 didn’t have photos… What’s up with that?
Ft. Lauderdale is, in many ways, has the best to offer to those who enjoy the S. Florida lifestyle. And, now is a great time to find some incredible real estate deals. Areas in the center city, especially the South Middle River area, offer incredible opportunities with modest early 1950s houses solidly constructed with gigantic yards, perfect for remodeling and expansion, and excellent location. No Miami-Dade hassle here. The area is lacking is small upscale restaurants.
Does anyone know anything about Oro Valley, Arizona? I’m thinking about moving there for a job transfer but would like to get info on the community.
Um, gee whiz, when locals pronounce Coeur d’Alene as “core da lane”, it’s because that’s how it’s pronounced. Anything else is just, I don’t know, stupid?
I was a little surprised to see Durham, NC show up on this list, especially at number 13. I’ve lived in Durham for 4 years and while it is a decent place to live, I’m not sure it really belongs at number 13 on the top 100 list. Durham has lots of opportunity – arts, good restaurants, good sports events, great weather, great diversity in its people. Durham is in the process of a major revitalization and with continued investment and change will be a great place to live, work and operate a business. It is true that crime is a concern, but I haven’t encountered any problems personally in 4 years and there is recognition by the city that if Durham is to truly be revitalized and reach its potential, serious efforts will need to be taken to reduce crime.
Brunswick is a fabulous community in which to live and work whether you are raising a family or retiring or anywhere else in you life. The combined advantages of being a college town (Bowdoin), located on the ocean and two major rivers, along with the tremendous recreational opportunities and the relative saftey of the town Make it a wonderful place to live and work
Madison, “chilly”? That is an understatement, but a reasonable foundation for an intolerable weather situation. If you like the color gray, this (and much of the Rust Belt) is the place for you. Hot humid Summers, short pleasant Falls and nasty wet Springs make this the place to visit, but only in October.
I read this list to make sure Bend didn’t show up, but sadly, it did. I lived there several years, working in startup companies, until I realized how much I hated it there. I found the people unpleasant and the city incredibly boring but self-congratulatory at the same time. The population is simply made of two groups: 1) retirees, and 2) trust-fund kids who want to go skiing and rock climbing. The city claims to have a thriving arts scene but it’s really quite awful.
That said, if you’re really in love with the outdoors, extreme isolation, and the desert climate, and you don’t care about the arts/music scene or the lack of a diverse population in terms of ethnicity and demographics, it might be perfect for you.
Good luck attracting talent, though — it’ll be hard to find younger skilled workers, because they would rather live on the other side of the Cascades (say, in Eugene).
Rochester NY is a dying city … actually it’s probably already dead.
There is no real effort to resurrect this city. Kodak is demolishing 1 building after another and sending work off-shore.
This whole article is a joke.
Rochester has been a well-fare city since the riots in the 60’s.
Danville, CA is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in the world, let alone the USA. I’ve lived elsewhere and traveled the globe and Danville is hard to beat. The only reason that our City seldom makes the Best Places lists is due to cost of living with many houses costing $900K+. Schools, Outdoor Activities, Weather, …. all are top-notch. The City’s not very diverse, which is either a benefit or detracting point depending on one’s preferences.
After toruing the world for 28 years with entertainers and I have lived in Chicago for most of my life. I was looking for a place to live that had business opportunity, a quality of life, low overhead, great topography, centrally located to the east coast… I came up with Nashville. My wife and I purchased a home in Green Hills four years ago and have made well over 10% on our investment per year. There are some growth problems currently here in Nashville but our new mayor Karl Dean will shape the city into one of the finest in the country. Come on down for a visit, ya’ll!
I Live In Leesburg,Va. Yes there is a lot to see, but what it is? Just new developments, residential and comercial, It is a shame. The beauty of nature is gone, is to over crowed, the roads remain the same to contain the volume of trafic during rush hours, to may bussines, and homes and very few schools, and no plans for more.
Hamden, CT
Well, Hamden is a suburb, if you like driving everywhere you need to go I guess that this is an OK place to live. I find the people that I know who live in Hamden have to drive into New Haven to have breakfast on the weekend. We walk. If you are moving to the New Haven area and enjoy culture don’t move in next door to a Home Depot or Wal-Mart, move to New Haven, there are very good neighborhoods within the city limits. Doesn’t it sound nice to walk out of the front door and to a farmers market at the local park on Saturday or Sunday morning? By the way, New Haven was just named in the top 20 of pedestrian friendly cities in the U.S. To me, Hamden looks like any suburb in the country; if you were blindfolded and dropped off there it would take you having to ask someone where you are before you could figure it out from landmarks. Also, I would not say “plenty of shops and restaurants fill the center of town” it is more like a few. I am not even sure you would consider what Hamden has a center of town, if you blink you will miss it, and then you will have to turn around in that Applebee’s parking lot up ahead to go back and find it.
The best place to live and work are places that have a diverse economy.
I live in Bellaire (Houston) Texas and find it to be one of the best places to live. Houston has enery and medicine. Two sector that are pretty much resistant to even the worse recession.
It is a small town in a big city. It has everything that a person or a family needs for both personal and business.
I highly recommend it even though it is not listed on the top 100.
Don’t fall for any of these surveys. I have been reading them for years and laughing because anyone who moves ANYWHERE without spending time there can be making the mistake of their lives. There are no perfect cities. In the United States there are problems everywhere especially in the last 8 years. I like where I live because it is away from almost all “lemming mentality.” I am not going to mention where it is because I don’t want anyone finding out about it. As long as it goes unnoticed then the bottom feeding developers will stay away. They are partially responsible for the ruination of the entire country.
Posted By Mary Beth, Chicago, IL : April 6, 2008 9:12 am
your a stuck up snob
I moved to Winston-Salem over twelve years ago after growing up in Manhattan and living in the Boston, D.C., and San Francisco areas. Winston-Salem has been a great place to raise a family. It has a broad and deep arts scene, including many arts education opportunites. It has been a place that is easy to get involved in the community and work to make a positive difference in the development of the city. There are a lot of different kinds of people here, including academics and musicians, and the place has a very down-to-earth, friendly feel. This is not the glamour lane, but it is the “real” America I had been searching for. The area is physically beautiful, located adjacent to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are the gateway to the burgeoning Yadkin Valley Wine region, and it is fun to visit the wineries for day trips. There is a lot of value for the money here in terms of quality of life and housing. Most of all, it is much lower stress than I had been used to. I’m glad to see that Winston-Salem is getting the attention it deserves.
Fort Collins………………..Co.
Fort Collins boomed in the 90’s because of the tech growth at HP and we had incredible real estate inflation, now the last 7 or 8 years the growth has been flat but steady. A lot of layoffs in the tech field with many of those people sticking around trying to start businesses here because they don’t want to live elsewhere. Its much nicer since the growth slowed down, the
traffic seems to actually have gotten a little better. No doubt we have just about everything a small to medium sized city could want including cultural and wilderness minutes apart. Housing prices are reasonable but that may be because there isn’t much of a good paying job market here. I don’t want to go back to the double digit housing inflation that the national builders love to exploit, rape, pilage and leave, taking there profits to other localities. We have brain gain here and we will see if we have the create business brains to create good paying jobs, but I don’t want to go back to the go-go 90’s. Slow steady growth is best. I love living here, hope I can continue to find work here.
I enjoyed your article in this months magazine and it got me thinking about how great Gainesville Florida is. I apologize if you are not the person to contact with any comments regarding the recent article published on the 2008 Best Places to live and Launch a business.
I want to share my thoughts and experience on this topic because I feel strongly about where I have chosen to work. I live in Gainesville/Alachua Florida. I grew up in Chapel Hill North Carolina before they cut I40 through to the coast and the boom of RTP(Research Trinagle Park area). Having watched the explosive growth at RTP, I could attribute it to the research that was being fed and supported by the area schools such as UNC and Duke. The area I am in now contains the largest bio-incubator and is being fed by the local University(Florida) and Santa Fe Community College, another top ranked institution. I moved my business into the Progress Corporate Park here in Alachua in 2002. I have seen explosive growth in the past few years and even more to come. The city works very hard at promoting and bringing in new businesses. The chamber of commerce is probably the best one I have ever been involved with. My office sits in front of many acres of green space in the San Felasco State Preserve where we ride many miles of mountain bike trails. The environment lends itself to some of the best activities in the world for young entrepreneurs including the best cave and spring diving in the world. The best thing about this area for starting a business is the focus on the biomedical research. I am a firm believer that our nation and the world will experience a drastic shift into biomedical research. With advancements in stem cells, genetics, RNAi, and a myriad of other biomedical and biological research our fastest growing industry will be curing diseases and creating biomedical solutions.
Colorado – I used to live in Colorado for a year and I lived in Colorado Springs and Denver. Colorado Springs was horrible. forget housing, the jobing market there is enough to deter and kill anyone from living there. The city is surrounded by nothing but the military so all of the military folks have taken all the jobs and Jobs are extremely hard to find there. Plus they dont take kind to outsider folk. if youve lived there your whole life or are military, then you’ll have no problems. Denver on the other hand is slightly better. No military and the cities much bigger, so jobs are better and housing is reasonably priced. Now if you cant handle the city life try the suburbs of Denver like Aurora, Littleton, Lakewood, Englewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thorton, Centennial, and others. However, even with a little bit better jobs and housing Denver is still hard to live in. Remember, Denver is a winter haven. It gets mighty cold there at times and it can get blizzards there. The only real thing Denver has going for itself is The Denver Bronco’s and the Colorado Avalanche! Go Bronco’s!!
Prescott,AZ – To even think that Prescott made the list is horrifying. Prescott is run by nothing but the old folks in the community. At one time Prescott was a great place to live and there was traditions and an expanding city. But now days the old folks have come in and pretty much turned the community into an old folks community. Its not even friendly anymore to the younger generation like me, who is 26 or to the rising young generation. I used to live there for almost 10 years, so Ive seen alot of the changes. There used to be 4th of July waterfights downtown.. not anymore. The old folks killed that one. U can do it on the outskirts of downtown but who wants to do that? Its just not as fun or the same. The courthouse lighting used to be fun. not anymore, the old folks killed the fun of that as well. The only thing Prescott has going for itself is Whiskey row and im sure the old folks are trying to kill that one as well or at least make it more old folk friendly. Besides the old folk killing off the fun Prescott used to be, the housing market is sky high and jobs are hard to come by. Because of that, families are moving out and moving to the nearby cities of Prescott Valley and Chino Valley. Prescott Valley however, would be better for the list as it is steadily and rapidly growing and housing is relatively low and jobs are abundant and because of the rapid growth, Jobs continue to grow!
WE LOVE BEND!!!
We bought land there in Feb, 2008 and we are moving. We are soooo tired of California, the crowds, graffiti…..
Bend is clean, uncrowded (compared to California) and everyone is pleasant! And Bend has sunshine!
Housing is still affordable and all the best shops, restaurants and services are there.
We live in Georgetown, TX (Sun City). It is like coming home to a resort every time you drive in.
I have lived in American Canyon(also known as AC or AmCyn to us locals) for all my 18 years it is a very small town where most everything is within walking distance. Most residents either know or have heared of almost everyone here and it very close to San Fran, Lake Tahoe and is continuously growing. Everyone here ia very nice and it is a very close knit community. Some may say its not that great, but hey we beat Orlando & Walt Disney World!, along with 88 other cities so we must not be that bad after all lol.
Blue Ash, Ohio —- come on!
Blue Ash is no different than the rest of the Cincinnati burbs. You can drive through Blue Ash and never know that you were there. Everything around there looks the same. A start up needs a lot of things but none of what it needs are any more available in Blue Ash then they are in any other sub of Cincinnati. Geez.
Zionsville?? To start a business??
Maybe an Art Gallery but that’s about it. Zionsville is about the last place I’d consider in Indiana to start any kind of business unless it was an Art Gallery or high end Antique store.
Hamden CT is a great place to live! I graduated from Quinnipiac University in the 80’s and chose to raise my family in this town. At one point we considered moving to the more affluent shoreline when my children were entering middle school, however despite what a previous comment that was made we compared the High School curriculum with these towns and found that Hamden’s schools had more to offer. Our children are know in college and doing well. We know Hamden High School Students who are now attending fine institutions such as Yale, Harvard,and Emory. Another positive that few towns can state and what has helped make our decision to stay, is that Hamden has 3 large state parks and a state forest within it’s borders, the Farmington Canal linear bicycle/walking trail that runs the length of the town is also a great asset. The neighborhoods throughout town have their own charm, with Yale 10 minutes down the road we have residents who have moved from all over the world into the area, making the town and schools a culturally rich community.
Don’t fall for any of these surveys. I have been reading them for years and laughing because anyone who moves ANYWHERE without spending time there can be making the mistake of their lives. There are no perfect cities. In the United States there are problems everywhere especially in the last 8 years. I like where I live because it is away from almost all “lemming mentality.” I am not going to mention where it is because I don’t want anyone finding out about it. As long as it goes unnoticed then the bottom feeding developers will stay away. They are partially responsible for the ruination of the entire country.
To respond to Dave, saying Cheyenne goes to all of the power to get no major businesses here, you are wrong!!! When is the last tiem you drove through Cheyenne, let alon Wyoming? We have gotten a Olive Garden, first one in Wyoming, a Chipotle, yet another first in Wyoming, a Kohl’s, Yet another first in Wyoming, Bed bath and Beyond yet another first for Wyoming!! We also got the Wal Mart Distribution Center, which has more than 2,500 employees and we are getting the Super Compting Center, which will create about 2,000 more jobs. Also Laramie County Community College, is becoming the 6th or 7th school in the country, 2year and 4 year, to get a wind energy program!!! I am from Cheyenne and I am so happy to see us on the list!!! Hope everyone comes to Cheyenne, WY to see all of the history that we have!
I am not sure why you rate SARASOTA, FL “90″ as you had another article about the best places for small businesses IN 07 and you had this wonderful city rated in the top 10!!! OK so make up your minds!
Anywho I can tell you that pour moi a person that has just moved a small business from another area of the country down here to Sarasota, FL, this place is FANTASTIC and I have made up my mind. Sarasota is it and it HAS everything. Yes it gets a little hot during just the summer months but it gets hot everywhere. Sarasota area has great beaches the best. Great rivers. Lots of trees beautiful vegetation everywhere. Great restaurants and great people from all over the world. Down here the locals they don’t consider themselves just from the South of the USA but as part of the Carribean. See my drift yes southward the only way.
Georgtown is not a suburb of Austin and it isn’t South it is North of Austin.
Thanks, B
Commuting from Carlsbad into San Diego is brutal. Nice if you can stay North though.
Carlsbad, a suburb of San Diego, is beautiful. However, a MAJOR con for this city is extremely expensive housing. Average home prices in San Diego county are in the high 500,000’s. Carlsbad, being a coastal city, is close 1 million for a house.
Blacksburg, VA is an absolutely amazing place to live and visit. Surrounded by national parks, white water on the New River, hiking, caving, rock climbing it is a smart-center with a rapidly growing non-university technology industrial base – literally thousands of new jobs in the past few years. It’s at once quaint and clearly bustling with new commercial amenities currently under construction to serve the growing region – the entire county of Montgomery in which Blacksburg sits has grown exponentially. Roanoke – a 30 minute drive is about to open the Taubman Museum of Art in the fall which will throw the national spotlight on that city and VA TECH is in the process of building and planning state of the art performance arts spaces + a complex is in the works to bring more cultural amenities to town as well.
Hamden is a great town. finally it is getting noticed. the hockey around here is amzing hamden high is one of the if not the best team in the state.
Living in Ft. Lauderdale for 9 years, Tampa for 1, then relocating to Orlando for the next 12 you see the difference as clear as night and day. The non-congested “City Beautiful”, parks, diverse economy, healthcare services, retail venues, and quality of life is by far better than any city in South Florida. Having returned to Miami for the last year due to business needs, I have seen that unfortunatly “The Magic City” has lost its magic and grown irresponsibly, led primarily by greed of developers, city leaders, and the irresponsible acts of those supporting them. It is by far worse now than 13 years ago. I long for a quick return to a city that clearly has earned the distinction of “The happiest place on Earth” not just by the theme parks but rather by its diversity, cleanliness, people, and way of life. The opportunities in Orlando abound for those who are looking for a better quality of life in tranquile and serene settings. If family life is what you want, then the best place for up bringing is Orlando, Fl.
HARKEYVILLE, TEXAS IS THE PERFECT TOWN.
As a young person living in Sarasota (Sar) is NO LONGER just for retirees as most that truly do not know this area always like to point out. Sar is a wonderful place to live, work and as I did launch a business. The real estate downturn has been really over exagerated we are the only place in Florida that is selling maybe not as high as in 2004-05 but we are selling..and I should know just sold 2 prop equalling millions. So please next time prior to writing anything about Sar do your homework or better yet come down here and see for yourself…no one is ever disappointed!!!
You were right tolist Georgetown, Texas at number 2. It is a great place to live and to start a business. The quality of life here is amazing, and the cost of living is low compared to most of the country.
Local property taxes are the lowest in the region, and the workforce is excellent. The city offers a range of incentives and works hard with both newcomers and existing employers to assist with relocation or expansion. We have a great Economic Development team, shich won the Community Economic Development Award for citeis under 100,000 in the entire state last year.
The Chamber of Commerce is second only to Austin is our region in total membership and provides a wide variety of valuable services to its members. We’ve created the Texas Life-sciences Collaboration Center in the last year, which houses three very exciting companies: RADIX Bio-solutions, Orthopeutics, and Quantum Logic Devices.
Southwestern University is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently listed by the Princeton Review and Barons as a best buy and best value in education. Our local public schools are excellent and very progressive.
The Healthcare sector is strong and getting better every day with four maajor hospitals and numerous specialty clinics within fifteen minutes from anywhere in town.
Our historic downtown, is like a picture postcard from the Vistorian Era, and the recently restored Williamson County Courthouse is a neo-classical gem with lots of history.
Local festivals are among the best in the state, and our faithfully restored Palace Theater features wonderful live theatrical productions to sell-out crowds year-round.
New shopping venues abound, and are among the most attractive in the area. Our City Lights Theatres offer the finest movie venue in the area, and one of the very few that is truly an engaged partner in its community. The Planned Hotel and Convention Center will further establish Georgetown as a major center for regional commerce.
In case you can’t tell, I love it here, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. If you are considering a relocation or looking for a great place to lve or launch a business, you should really take a close look at Georgetown.
Dear Editors: I lived in the Doral, Miami, Area, that is no place to live and raise a family, let alone to really start a new business. The area is very cyclical, business strengths are few, and the layout of the city is very awkwardly zoned. You left out orlando, central florida a booming market and widely diverse in industry, technology, medicine, and fast growing population, with huge land space unlike south florida.
American Canyon, CA is aka “Gateway to the Napa Valley”. I have lived in town for over 19 years. Open space, fresh air, walking and bike trails is only enhanced by the small town closeness of the residents.
Being driving distance to entire Napa Valley, San Fran, Lake Tahoe etc. is just icing on the cake.
I have the best of all worlds: living and working from home!
I don’t know if you looked into the Northeast at all, but 30 minutes north of New York City, is a wonderful city to live, work and play, the City of White Plains. It is a clean and safe city that has recently seen major revitalization. The downtown boasts top notch dining and entertainment facilities, a Ritz-Carlton, Trump Towers, high end shopping, and it’s own White Plains Performing Arts Center that hosts shows like Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Man of la Mancha.
In the summertime, the city hosts outdoor concerts in the downtown during the weekdays and nights and the Business Improvement District closes off the Main Street for various festivals and events. There is something for everyone in this great city!
Please check out http://www.cityofwhiteplains.com for more information on the Renaissance City of New York State.
One place that is always on the “best” places to live is the DC metro area. Are you kidding me?? The housing costs are enough to leave this place. Most decent apartments are about $2000 for one bedroom and the average house costs around $600,000! I am college educated and work for the federal government and most apartments won’t even look at me because I don’t make enough money. I have no idea what people do for a living here because most federal jobs start you at around $35K. I now make about $60K with raises but still can’t get by. Plus the commutes here are horrible and the traffic is unbearable. As soon as I can transfer out of here to somewhere cheaper I am.
I am enjoying living in Carlsbad since I moved here in June from NJ. It certainly is beautiful however, it is sorely lacking in cultural arts, there are no art museums, no ballet, no opera and only a few decent restaurants. For these things, I need to drive into San Diego. I wish the planners would focus less on golf and parks (we have enough) and spend more time and money on other cultural activities (you would also save on water that way). This new plan to charge for parking at the beach is terrible; some people only park there for 30 minutes; should they have to pay $8?
I am so happy i live in the township of Lyndhusrt New Jersey. I was born and rasied in this great town even if i hit the million dollar lottery i would live in Lyndhurst.The town is like having one big family.
Charleston, SC, is so beloved for its almost European atmosphere in addition to the Old South feel, plus the thriving of All the arts. But how could you have failed to mention–speaking of high-paying jobs!–that Google has recently opened a facility in the area!
We just moved with our business from West Virginia to Quakertown, PA. We are seriously considering locating our office in Bethlehem, PA. We are currently home-based with one employee and planning on hiring more.
I have either lived in or visited a lot of these places. I moved to Syracuse from Atlanta eleven years ago, so I’ll just comment on Syracuse.
First, let me disagree – no kid NEEDS snow. I grew up fine without it. It is fun to spend 30 minutes stuffing your kid into a snow suit to spend 15 minutes outside buried in snow. One of the joys of parenthood!
OK, so the weather is downright horrible here. If that bothers you, you won’t like it. I don’t blame the weather for any of Syracuse’s problems…just if you’re thinking about moving some place where the sun hardly ever shines…you could probably do better in Seattle. This ain’t no place for the seasonally depressed!
On the other side of the coin, there couldn’t be many nicer places to spend a summer. Most people here have a family lake house or a boat, and most people not from here could probably afford to rent or buy one…not that you’d need to. There is PLENTY of outdoor stuff to see and do from top class kayaking to fishing to hiking to horseback riding. Within any given 20 minute drive, you can get to probably 20 golf courses or a lake or two. If you’re motivated to get outdoors, you can have a good time from May to Nov…although it often rains a lot here, too!
I think it is a great place to raise a family. There are tons of festivals throughout the year (for kids and adults). In 10-20 minutes, you can be apple picking, at a pumpkin patch, the zoo, or some animal farm. The city schools aren’t great, but that’s typical of city schools everywhere. Living in the suburbs here may mean just living one street over…so a good school district awaits.
Housing is very cheap. You can build a brand new 2500 sq ft house with a decent yard for probably $250k. An average 4br, 2000-2500 sq ft house will probably run you $175 to $200k. However, we have the HIGHEST property taxes in the whole country. A $200k house may cost you $600/mo in taxes. In some towns that could be double!
The economy here is based on small businesses for the most part. When the rest of the world is booming…Syracuse isn’t. When the rest of the world is busting. Syracuse isn’t. It’s stagnant for good or bad. The “big” business here is the University systems and health care and hospitals. There are some good-sized union type shops that are hold overs from when Syracuse was a boom town like 40-50 years ago. They pretty much close up and/or move away on a weekly basis. That leaves a mature work force with a union mentality. For the most part, this is a TERRIBLE place for a kid out of college to get a good job. There aren’t a lot of corporations here that roll out entry level positions. A lot of the entrepreneurial initiatives are very small companies (1-5 people). I wouldn’t exaggerate if I said a good 25% of the people here wished they could just work for the government…which is a pretty good career option when you take a look at the want ads in this town (they take up maybe a page in the paper). On the other hand, it is very easy to meet people, network, and get established in this town, and I believe there are a good number of incentives out there for people who do start and maintain businesses here. P.S. you can’t walk 100 yards without seeing vacant commercial space either.
The people here are actually very friendly. Not polite. Friendly. The difference: they’ll welcome you into their home, but they may not say hi to you when you walk by. People here are often cranky and often pessimistic and resistant to change. It’s a generalized statement, and it doesn’t mean people here are not nice. As one comment said…Syracuse is a negative place. I would have to agree. It doesn’t mean that you have to be negative, too, and it may not affect you personally…but there is a negative air about everything here, which I don’t think helps business or social initiatives. The people that live here…let’s just say…they’re also “from” here. You can find a lot of well educated and worldly people here, but for the most part, folks here focus on the basics in life. You may not be able to fill all your seats at a dinner party where you discuss foreign films, but you don’t have to deal with a lot of pretension and garbage that comes with cosmopolitan life.
(1) Re: taxes, you get what you pay for and in the long term, sufficient taxes to maintain a decent infrastructure is better for living (city services) and businesses (quality public education and public transit) that pay long term dividends.
(2) Moving somewhere only because of a boom economy may not make you happy (you’ll miss the family!) in the long run. When one area becomes bloated, companies and people will move to another cheaper areas so what goes around comes around. I believe even Ohio and Michigan will rebound somehow from the loss of manufacturing simply because it’s so cheap there and there’s a great underutilized infrastructure (schools, roads, buildings, culture) and unbelievably cheap high-quality housing there.
(3) Sarasota is unexpectedly cool town but it’s still astronomical to iive in close proximity to the shops and beach and probably not enough to keep you occupied if you’re used to a bigger city.
(4) Worcester really has done a lot to get itself together. It’s relatively close to the beach and mountains and offers all amenities and services of a large city. You can quickly commute to a number of Norman Rockwell looking yet very progressive towns around it. Although Worcester has benefited from Boston’s success (close proximity, yet cheaper) it’s now got a cluster of biotech that makes it strong on its own. Way to go.
I was amazed to see Winston-Salem on this list. The only thing in that city is Wake Forest. It’s a dreary, run-down place. I live in Charlotte, about an hour or so South and the difference is ridiculous. Charlotte’s growth is dominant. It’s the only U.S. city with property values higher now than last year. Charlotte is the gem of the South and with companies such as Wachovia and Bank of America headquartered here, a major world economic player.
I’m a 3rd generation resident of Boise and have a little different view of the town than this article portrays. Yes Boise used to be a well kept secret but articles like this one have definitely let the cat out of the bag. The sudden increase in population has spoiled some of the once enticing reasons why so many have moved here in the last 10 years. For one, the housing market is crashing right into the ground. This has left anyone seeking employment in the residential construction industry is scrambling for work and those who jumped ship from their former jobs to sell real estate and flip houses are quickly finding themselves in massive debt. I have friends in the mortgage business that haven’t been able to approve a mortgage for almost 6 months! The economic downturn has also lead to mass layoffs in our budding tech industry. I’ve had two neighbors in my apartment complex alone get laid off in the last 2 months. Notice that I mentioned that I live in an apartment complex. I make a very decent living but wouldn’t even dream of attempting to buy a house in this volatile market, yes it’s that bad. Sure the city is clean and the mountains are close for those interested in recreational activities, but who can afford it with the ever increasing cost of living brought on by the housing market crash? I know I can’t. So if you’re looking to move to a nice clean city with unstable job opportunities and a housing market that has reached its breaking point, go ahead. Please, feel free to add to the problem by moving here, buying nice new house on an adjustable rate mortgage, then foreclosing 2 years later after a job layoff.
Hey Steve from Carlsbad, I agree with your remarks 100%. They should take Carlsbad off this list, bad weather all the time the beaches way too sandy. Overall not worth the trip.
I am glad that someone is finally making mention of our town. We have a thriving business hub here, lots of jobs, very little crime, and it is a good and inexpensive place to live. Think of Stafford as an upscale environment without the costs usually associated with upscale communities. We have some of the best shopping and restaurants you would ever want, good schools, and are surrounded by parks and golf courses. We have excellent city services, but do not have to spend a boatload on taxes to pay for it all.
Charlottesville may be lively and in a beautiful part of the state but prepared to pay alot for housing, gas, food, etc. as well as put up with an inferior infrastructure. Middle income people have a difficult time in Charlottesville and the gap between the middle class and upper class is widening. Definitely a town where a single person needs to make 70k+ otherwise you’ll struggle. Local government makes for bad comedy, at best–for more than 20+ years they have talked about and still talk about building a “Parkway” to ease traffic congestion even though it is now long obsolete and very expensive. But they welcome all developers who don’t have to contribute to any of the city’s infrasctructure needs to support their projects.
I have lived in Boise Idaho for almost 9 years- the housing market was WAY way over priced when we HAD to move here- houses are made of wood and cheap and rot in winter months which is long 6 months of cold,snow etc, 60 days of summer to grow a garden, low paying state, Micron has laid off tons and so has Albertsons- no big companies here and the real estate market has gone to shit Where do you get your FACTS- look up Micron- There are no high paying jobs here at all
Try buying a ticket to fly to the east- will cost and arm and a leg
Only 2 things good no crime and no traffic but where do you go– no restaurants- one mall to shop
The town is like living in the 50’s
A friend just called me and read me a sidebar story entitled “Cool Spotting” which appeared as part of the “Best places to live and launch” article in your April 2008 issue. I literally laughed out loud in the office (my officemates can attest to it) when she read me the statement “Milwaukee’s seedy Third Ward.” The piece goes on to quote someone who states that “there are rats bigger than our children” in the Third Ward. Of course, it being April 1st I thought that my friend was pulling an April Fool’s joke on me. She faxed me the story as proof. Whoops, my surprise – no April Fool’s joke.
Seedy??? Actually the word should have been “trendy.” Not sure about the rats thing – all I have seen is continuous growth and development in the Third Ward.
In fact the “Historic Third Ward boasts the highest concentration of art galleries in the city, numerous restaurants, unique specialty stores, architects, advertising agencies, graphic designers, artists, the Milwaukee Public Market, the Broadway Theatre Center, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design as well as condominiums, office buildings, and industrial space.”
I can appreciate a good laugh but please, come visit Milwaukee’s Third Ward and discover a very “hot” neighborhood.
P.S. While you are in town I would enjoy taking you to see our neighbors in Oconomowoc which is just a short distance west of Milwaukee and which is also mentioned in the sidebar. You will be in for another great surprise that reaffirms that the Milwaukee region is TRULY COOL. Trust me – no April’s Fool joke.
I would be interested in adding to your list, or another list you may be researching about our town, Pendleton, Oregon. I can give you information and make my case. We actually have jobs going unfilled here because we need people moving into town.
Ashburn, Va – clean, safe place to live
Close to Dulles Airport, great amenities and lots to do. Love the golf courses. Jobs are plentiful and Virginia is a great beautiful state to live in.
Spokane Washington, a great place to live! I have lived here for the past 8 years, and I have seen it grow dramatically. Downtown has a vibrant night life with plenty of clubs and restaurants to choose from. There is a bold attempt to keep many of the historic buildings, while bringing in new businesses to occupy them. There is a new convention center for large venues. A bustling Riverfront park that is family-friendly. A huge community of churches. Many outdoor activities are only short drive away: hiking, rock-climbing, kayaking, skiing, boating, biking, camping and the annual Bloomsday run. I grew up on the “other side” of the state, and only go back to visit. Spokane in a growth spurt, but it still maintains it’s small-town charm.
Billings is fabulous. Mild winters, almost no snow and average of 325 sunny days a year. My family lives in Denver and Billings is always 10-15 degrees warmer in the winter than they are. Summers are divine. Downtown is thriving, as is all of town. The schools are great, lots for the kids to do, and skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, etc are all minutes away. There is a strong business community that supports the arts in all forms.
Durham might be vibrant for business, but beware of crime. When you plan to move there, first check out the Crime Mapper to see if the neighborhood is safe. My girlfriend moved to Durham less then a year ago: her first house had a dead body in the backyard in the week she moved in, so she decided to move. Within 0.5 miles of her new house (supposedly a safer neighborhood), already 2 people have been killed this year. She used to walk and bike around town, but now only travels by car. As another commenter mentioned, it might be better to work in Durham but live in a neighboring town.
SPOKANE, WA – UGHH! Lived in Spokane for five years 2000-2005. Blue collar business mentality (way different than Seattle), terribly bad air quality, gray winters, and was burglarized twice in a new and well-lighted subdivision. Crime is rampant there! Meth problems and gang problems are rising. When I lived there, Spokane was in the top 20 cities in the nation for auto theft. Granted, there is lots of recreation around the area and they are doing their best to promote the the area, but look to Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint, Idaho for a safer place to live. Whatever you do, don’t take my word for it. Instead, check all crime and business statistics before making your move. Me, I got fed up and moved back to Montana.
The fact that Danville, CA made the list seems obvious to someone who lives and owns a business here. There could not be a better town, one more devoted to its quality of life than Danville. I look forward to it rising up your list in future years.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Pros: Where the Sangre de Cristo mountains meet the high desert, elevation 7,000 feet ASL. One of the sunniest places in the US – many people walk around with a perpetual tan/sunburn. Summer nights are cool; winter days can be bitterly cold, but usually sunny. Comfortable – very low humidity. Very cold winters, but some of the best all-round weather in the US.
Close to outdoors recreation in all directions – mountains, desert, hot springs, skiing, hiking, etc. Most beautiful scenery imaginable.
Many art galleries, good restaurants, a few pretty cool bars.
Cons:
High crime rate: larceny, car break-ins, burglary, etc. Large numbers of unemployed/underemployed young people, mostly Hispanic natives. A fair amount of hard drug use. Drunk, uninsured drivers abound, especially on Saturday night/Sunday evening.
Big socioeconomic divide between haves/have nots, white/Hispanic, east side/west side residents.
High cost of living: For the past 30 years or more, yuppies and new-agers have flocked to Santa Fe, from both coasts, to groove with nature in
their new $3 million dollar, territorial-style adobe homes overlooking the city.
Demand has driven property prices (and the price of everything else) skywards.
Food, gasoline and services are considerably more expensive than in Albuquerque, only 70 miles to the south.
You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a crystal healer or some other new age therapist.
Stafford, Texas
You mention no property tax… which sounded good to me. However, when I linked to an available home in the area, the tax rate was 2.35. Needs a correction.
Salt Lake City
Pros: Close to outdoors recreation – mountains, desert, skiing, hiking, etc. Salt Lake is full of smart, hip, talented people. Lots of beautiful, unattached women.
Cons: Summer can be hot and stifling. Utah state politics is dominated by more than 90% Mormons. Beer with more than 3.2% alcohol content or wine, liquor, etc., is available only from state-owned liquor stores, for premium prices. The Mormons must figure that the best way to discourage vice is to make it expensive.
I moved to Bethlehem PA 4 years ago from New York City, and found a gem of a small town blindsided by progress but refusing to die. they have doggedly persevered on a path of reinvention and are succeeding in attracting new people and culture. I’ve lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco and NYC and rate Bethlehem right up there with those towns.
Darius
How ironic that the largest employer transitioned from a tobacco company to a hospital. Keep up the good work RJ Reynolds!
I used to live in Worcester, MA 10 years ago and go back every year to visit friends there. It has made a lot of improvements in terms of modernizing its economy. However, some areas along Main Street look shabby and the only mall in the city has closed. But as others have mentioned, there are regular trains going into Boston where a round trip ticket is considerably less than parking in Boston.
Billings, MT: I lived there for 20 years and still visit (my parents live there). Here are my pros and cons:
PROS:
Excellent personal health care. Best and friendliest doctors and nurses in the country. Great facilities, easy to get to and easy to park. If you are sick, move to Billings. They are also building a brand new cancer center.
Great for families. Cost of living is low. Plenty for the kiddies to do. Plus no sales tax so shop away. Affordable skiing is an hour away in Red Lodge (although the snow seems to be less and less each year). You could also go to Big Sky which is a few hours away. Plenty for the nature-loving people to do. Friendly people for the most part.
CONS: TERRIBLE freezing cold weather Oct thru May. Hot hot hot in the summer.
Billings is a very gloomy depressing city most of the year.
Downtown is more of a ghosttown. They have tried to revitalize it but it hasn’t drawn a lot of people. Too cold to shop outdoors. People don’t like to buy condos downtown due to the noisy train whistles – train still runs right through downtown.
The arts scene is terrible. 2 museums and very small.
Nothing for the young people to do. Most get so bored they move away. Dating scene for people in their 20s is also very bad.
Most bars are smoky and play country music. Billings is still very redneck with a small town mentality.
Schools are good but they could be so much better. They need to focus less on sports and proms and more on business sense, financial planning, international awareness and the development of arts as a profession and not just a hobby.
I didn’t like Billings at all but my parents loved it. Visit first and do lots of research before you decide to start a business there.
Lived in many places. There is nothing like living close to family and friends.
You should be able to get jobs almost anywhere. Find a place that you can enjoy after work, has good schools for the kids and whatever else is important to you and yours.
You get what you pay for. Higher taxes mean more amenities and it shows in Minneapolis. Great parks and cultural sites. The winters can be long and cold but it is all relative and you get a lot of work done when the weather doesn’t temp you to play. We have the second highest concentration of Fortune 100 and S&P 500 companies. They are here becasue they started here and becasue of the great work ethic.
Columbus Indiana – Unexpected and Unforgettable – that’s what you will find here. Unexpected architecture and unforgettable people experiences. My city is one of those places that no one really believes all the hype about. But,it’s all true – we study, prepare and work towards the future. We have a class A park system, good schools, excellent police force, low crime, good available jobs and the people care and work for the betterment of their community.
Syracuse is a GREAT PLACE! Good size Metro Area 700,000, International Airport, Great Housing: Lofts in old warehouses, solid Neighborhoods, Downtown with independent shops, little italy, Big-time University Sports, Minor League teams: AAA Baseball and Hockey, excellent recreation: Skiing, running, swimming..natural beauty Finger Lakes and a cosmo-feal for a medium city. NYC is just a Jet Blue short flight away. Oh, Major business too: Welch-Allyn, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lockhead Martin,Cooper, Stickley… Go Syracuse..Live Syracuse!
As someone who just moved from New England to the #3 area on the list (Buford, GA), I am amazed at how many New England areas are listed. Franklin, MA? Are you serious? Do you have any idea how much it costs to buy a nice house there?! Property taxes? Commute times? Winter heating oil?
There are many lovely cultural aspects to New England, and the Fall is breathtaking, but seriously… Worcester? Franklin? Manchester? We left those places because you have to make well into six figures to live comfortably, and those jobs are few and far between.
Get Real!! The US isn’t the only place to have a buisness!
Retired to the town of Dry Ridge in the beautiful state of Kentucky…close to Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati, Ohio…close to the International Airport, shopping, cultural events…wonderful people…the best of 4 seasons
I lived in San Luis Obispo in the eighties. I graduated from Cal Poly in 1985. It was a great experience. I developed a love for running and cycling while there. The terrain is difficult but beautiful. I always felt safe while out on my adventures. Now, my daughter has been accepted to Cal Poly so I am looking forward to showing her the beauty of the town and it’s surrounding areas.
Moved to Greensboro from Syracuse 3 years ago. Am a retired teacher. Weather in Greensboro is fantastic. Housing is very reasonable. Utility costs are much lower than Syracuse as are the taxes-but I cannot complain since teachers in NYS are well paid and in NC teacher pay is awful.
Syracuse, CNY, is a prettier region-weather permitting-and I miss the Finger Lakes, Pastabilities, Dinosaur and Antonios. I do not miss the incessant stagnation, pety politics where nothing gets done, reliance on a filthy mall and an area trapped by negativity.
Greensboro has its issues, particularly the public schools which just luckily had its superintendent go to San Diego-what are they thinking? There is economic change in the air with Fed-EX and 18000+ jobs coming in next year + Honda Jet + Dell computer already in the area.
The positive attitudes towards the many fine colleges is excellent. I love it here.
I don’t know why Joe says that Worcester Mass is a dump – maybe he hasn’t visited the City for sometime. I have lived in Worcester, Mass for over 15 years now and think that it has had incredible changes. We have some of the best colleges around, affordable housing as well as the DCU center, Art Museum, awesome restaurants, ethnic food, movie theaters, parks, lakes,etc. We have several hospitals, biotech parks, I have no idea why Joe says there is homeless people sleeping all over – (in malls ?? – I haven’t seen one in all my time here). We are one hour from Boston, 45 minutes from Providence, One hour from Springfield, three and a half hours from NYC, an hour and a half from Hartford, 2 hours from the mountains and 2 hours from the Cape. It makes sense why Worcester Airport isn’t working when you have so many airports so close. The competition is fierce. We also have a train that commutes daily to Boston and other cities. The City has changed so much over the past few years. It is starting to look really good from the highway. I am very happy here.
This is for Kelly of Baltimore who says Boise, ID is a great place to live:
You are right, Boise is not expensive. But it is if the only jobs available pay $7 – $12 an hour. Can you live on that? You mentioned Micron and Boise Cascade as companies in the area. Micron is well known for its lay offs. Boise Cascade is struggling to make ends meet (I have a friend who worked there). BSU may be a great university but they will not consider hiring you unless you are a former student or you have a masters degree. You said: Salt Lake, Seattle and San Fran are all only a couple hours away. That is a lie. Salt Lake is FIVE hours away. Seattle is EIGHT hours away. San Fran is TEN hours away. Boise is smack in the middle of a wasteland.
Many Headline concerts come to the area – sure, but can you afford two tickets for more than $100?
I can’t even begin to tell you how many people I know are considering leaving Boise. They came on the promise that Boise had jobs and a healthy growing city. Then they found it wasn’t true and are unable to leave because noone will buy their house.
True, Boise is great for families and especially relaxing for the rich and retired. However, let’s tell the truth about the job and business situation here.
Omaha – I’m glad to see it on the list. I have lived here almost my entire life and have always found it to be a great place to live. Plenty to do (live music every night of the week in a wide variety of locations around town from small neighborhood pubs to large venues), plenty of parks, exercise trails, restaurants by the ton, both locally owned and all the large chains, minor league pro and Division One college sports – hockey, baseball, and basketball(football – Huskers – 55 miles and 2 1/2 hrs away by interstate), cultural attractions like the Henry Doorly Zoo (one of the World’s Best year in and year out), Did I say anything about the music? We have a great live venue district in “downtown Benson” with 4 clubs offering music almost every night and several others at least 3 to 4 nights weekly. Slowdown, the nationally acclaimed club recently opened by SaddleCreek Records (Bright Eyes, The Faint, Cursive and more) is on the north end of downtown, just a few blocks away from the Qwest Centre(Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Paul McCartney). I can think of a thousand ways I’d rather spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than on the gondola on the pond on ConAgra’s corporate campus… Try Rick’s Boatyard Cafe, just a short walk away and with a plethora of adult beverages to quench your thirst by the shore of the Muddy Mo…
The job market is steady here, unless you’re a mortgage broker. Good pay, affordable housing (and a pretty stable housing market),good schools – both public and private (read-Catholic)and most parts of town are only a 25 minute commute away (worst case scenario) from most work centers. The real downsides are real estate taxes, less diversity in the culture than on the coasts and the summer’s are as hot and huimid in late July as anything Florida can throw at you and we get at least a couple of Winter days that are on par with the Twin Cities in the Winter. Spring and Fall each last maybe 15 minutes.
Warren Buffet lives here – a plus
He doesn’t talk shop where you can overhear him – a minus.
Salt Lake City, should have been ranked higher. The article did not mention its large, educated labor pool.
How great – I just moved to Carlsbad from L.A. Feels like “old” California here. Have to say there are a lot of friendly people, but I’ve found the older residents grumpy. My 1 year old and I were kicked out of a salon, Chizel Hair Design in the Village, because my baby was fussing a bit. Other than the quality of life is pretty nice
Franklin MA. I have lived here for most of my life and love it. Less than an hour to Boston, Providence and Cape Cod.
Winter can be a little tough, but certainly not like Syracuse or Rochester.