America's Best Places to Live

What are the best small towns in America? CNNMoney ranks the top 100. CNNMoney has just come out with its list of the best places to live in America, which feature “great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, nice weather, plenty to do, and more.” With a population of 18,400, Louisville, CO leads the pack as the number-one place to live. CNNMoney credits the town for being safe (crime rates are reportedly among the lowest in Colorado), for offering “lots of good jobs in tech, telecom, aerospace, clean energy, and health care,” and for real estate prices that have “barely budged” since 2005. Milton, MA ranks second for having places that resemble a “country getaway” and for being only minutes away from the “jobs and culture” of Boston. “Single-family home prices have remained essentially unchanged since the market's peak in 2005,” CNNMoney writes. “One major reason for this stability is the outstanding school system, which boasts six brand-new buildings and offers such rich opportunities as a French immersion program that begins in elementary school.” However, there is one downside to living in Milton: high taxes. Solon, OH comes in third with employers like Nestle, L'Oreal and Swagelok (an industrial equipment maker), as well as the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Solon also had the highest-achieving school district in Ohio last year. Coming in fourth place is Leesburg, VA, which offers “proximity to plenty of good jobs not just in government but also in defense contracting, consulting, and technology.” Papillion, NE comes in fifth with booming agriculture and employment strength that, according to CNNMoney, is “the envy of the coasts.” The full top 10 follows, and you can view the complete list by visiting CNNMoney.

1. Louisville, CO
2. Milton, MA
3. Solon, OH
4. Leesburg, VA
5. Papillion, NE
6. Hanover, NH
7. Liberty, MO
8. Middleton, WI
9. Mukilteo, WA
10. Chanhassen, MN

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