| Something interesting is happening in the United States. According
to the Census Bureau's vital statistics reports, it hasn't happened since
the late 1800's. People are moving back to small towns all across America.
It is an interesting fact that all of the major places rating services put small towns and "rural suburbs" at the top of their lists of most desirable places to live. For example, in a recent MONEY MAGAZINE report of the ten best places to live in America, only Seattle, Washington, is a major city. We have compiled the statistics from 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family , America's Best Places to Retire , and Money Magazine to develop a list of 25 of the best places to live in North America, depending on your particular concerns and needs: [listed alphabetically] click on the underlined city to visit its' web site. Austin, Texas - a solid economy, good schools, good employment levels, incomes expected to rise consistently over the next ten years. Very nice downtown area especially around the two lakes in the heart of the city. The city theme is "the most livable city in the country". However, there is a minor problem with air quality. Boulder, Colorado - consistently rated as one of the thirty overall best places to live in the United States. A town filled with culture, history and unique qualities that give Boulder its personality. Cary, North Carolina - a suburb of the Raleigh-Durham area, it is an easy commute to the state capital where the employment situation is good. The atmosphere of a charming, small, southern town. However the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average. Casper, Wyoming - very good after-tax family income [spendable income]. Nearly everyone is employed. Outdoor recreational activities are an important part of the lifestyle of this small community. Casper's people are one of its greatest assets ... friendly, down-to-earth and always willing to lend a helping hand. Chapel Hill, North Carolina - a suburb of the Raleigh-Durham area, it consistently ranks as one of the best retirement communities in the United States. Many educators and professionals come here to retire. The climate is mild most of the year. Charlottesville, Virginia - considered to be one of the best places to raise a family. Also, community leaders recognize the value of laying out the red carpet for retirees looking for a safe and friendly place to visit and call home. Columbia, Missouri - known for the small-town friendliness of its inhabitants, without sacrificing the big city features and high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. It has a very low unemployment rate. Consistently ranked in the top "Best Places to Live in the Nation" by Money Magazine in its annual survey of the 300 largest metropolitan areas. Fargo, North Dakota - one of the ten best overall places to live in America. A very clean, safe city. There are many residents of German descent living here. The local economy depends heavily on farming. The Wall Street Journal (Spring 1994) ranked Fargo the 7th best small-market community in the U.S. to start a career. Redbook magazine called Fargo-Moorhead one of the best communities in the nation for working mothers. Morgan Quitno Press rated North Dakota as one of the safest states in their annual crime survey. Ft. Collins, Colorado - one of the fifty best overall places to live in America. Fort Collins is a young, growing community. With several high technology employers within the city, as well as Colorado State University, the community tends to be comprised of a large number of specialized, technically skilled and service oriented professionals. Ft. Myers/Cape Coral, Florida - with a solid economy and a great winter climate, this major retirement area also scored among the top ten places for anyone to live in America. Hartford, Connecticut - best after-tax family income [spendable income] in America. This city is world renowned for excellent cultural activities, art museums and civic events. Hartford is clearly focused on becoming a business and cultural center of choice in the next century. Henderson, Nevada - presently listed as the fastest growing community in America. It's in the top 50 Kids Friendly cities in America. It's in the top 50 safest cities to live in. Ranked 6th best city in America for home based businesses. Named one of the best places to work and play in 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family. Keene, New Hampshire - one of the best places in America to raise a family. State taxes are low and there is a favorable business climate. This town of about 22,000 offers a "less stressful lifestyle". Lafayette, Indiana - consistently rated as one of the thirty overall best places to live in the United States. State taxes as a percentage of income are lower than most places. Rated as one of the safest places to live in America. The local government is intent on "Giving excellent services to the citizens, keeping them safe and secure, keeping the cost to the taxpayer at the lowest possible levels, listening to the citizens and charting our course into the next century." Madison, Wisconsin - best overall rating for the best place to live in America according to Money Magazine. It scored very high in economy, health services, public transit, and education. It has a 1.7% unemployment rate. Bicycles outnumber cars by a ratio to 3 to 2. High school grads score 21% higher than the U.S. average on SATs. Naples, Florida - many well-to-do retirees come here for the winter because of the excellent winter climate. There is also a nice breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico in the summer, but the temperature and the humidity climb too high for the "snow birds". Nashua, New Hampshire - a suburb of Boston, Mass, one of the twenty best overall places to live in America. Listed #1 in Money Magazine. Orlando, Florida - booming economy and plentiful jobs, especially in the tourism industry, but the wage scale is much lower than other cities of this size. One of the fastest growing communities in the United States. A high percentage of its citizens attend church, and many religions are represented in the area. There are more than 50 tree lined lakes within the city limits providing many lovely, green and shady settings. The climate is mild most of the year, but expect fast moving, heavy rains and very high humidity nearly every afternoon in the summer. More lightening strikes occur in the Tampa - Lakeland - Orlando - Daytona corridor than anywhere else in the world. The secondary education system is nothing to be proud of, and there are many high school dropouts. Portland, Maine - one of the one hundred best overall places to live in America. Income levels are expected to rise moderately over the next ten years. Portland offers all the amenities of the big city, but within minutes one can be strolling through the Maine woods, canoeing down a river, or skiing some of the most thrilling mountains in New England. Provo/Orem, Utah - consistently rated as one of the thirty "most liveable communities in the United States". But, if you imagine Provo and Orem as just quaint, rural hamlets, consider this: the area is home to more than 80 software companies... This may be the best educated county in all the nation. It is predominatedly occupired by people of the Mormon faith. The area has a very low crime rate. Punta Gorda, Florida - taxes are low [no state income tax], climate is good. It scored an excellent economy rating in Money Magazine, due primarily to a 16.3% projected job growth through 1999. Listed as the best overall small place to live in America. The renovated downtown area still has cobblestone streets and gas lights. Churches outnumber nightclubs about 11 to 1. Violent crime is well below the national average, and cost of living is also well below the national average. Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina [see also Chapel Hill, NC and Carey, NC] - with three excellent universities and teaching hospitals, and research facilities for the chemical and textile industries, the area is becoming well known as a major research center. The employment situation is good, and incomes are expected to rise consistently into the next century. The climate is generally mild, protected by the mountains to the west and northwest. Rochester, Minnesota - consistently rated the best education system in the nation, and the best health care system in the country. One of the few places in the world where virtually 100% of the students graduate from high school. It also has a top level after-tax spendable income. Living in the Rochester area means clean air, low crime and a strong sense of community and family values. San Jose, California - one of the twenty best overall places to live in America. This "capital of Silicon Valley" has topped the list of safest big cities for five consecutive years. It has been ranked as the fifth best place to live in America by Money magazine. And Sunset magazine described the downtown as an "eminently walkable area with level streets, balmy weather and well-marked attractions." Seattle, Washington - yes, it does rain here, but the climate is mild most of the year, often with a nice breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean. Sports and other leisure activities are important, and a high percentage of its citizens enjoy a good after-tax spendable income. Tucson, Arizona - one of the best places to live if you enjoy amatuer astronomy. The employment situation is improving, and incomes are expected to rise moderately over the next ten years. Humidity is very low and it has a sunny climate, but there is a growing problem with air pollution and a lack of fresh water. This is a major retirement community. Speaking of retirement, take a look at ...
Moving
to a Small Town : A Guidebook for Moving from Urban to Rural America
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Marilyn Ross, Tom Ross (Contributor) Jerry Germer |
For
many years the population flow was from the farm country to the small towns,
and from the small towns to the big cities. Then from the cities to the
suburbs. Thousands of people are still moving in this direction, but the
trend is changing, and is expected to change rapidly at the beginning of
the next century. Instead of moving to the suburbs many, many people are
thinking about, planning, and expecting [and thousands already have] a
move to a small town somewhere in the USA.
One
of the primary catalysts of this new trend seems to be the ability of people
to start and run their own home-based business and other "cottage" industries.
Other factors include a desire by many people for a simplier, less stressful
and safer lifestyle which they find in the best small towns in America.
