Yesterday, Money magazine announced its annual list of the 100 Best Places to Live, delving into the desires of the American settler’s psyche.Topping this year’s list is Eden Prairie, Minn., a family-friendly town with a population of 64,000 and an unemployment rate almost a full point below the national average. What’s not to love?
In the face of a battered economy, it’s not surprising that Americans value simple landscapes with solid schools and job security – comfort in place of excitement, more Mayberry than Sex and the City. In all, 18 of the top 25 of Money‘s list are towns with under 100,000 people, not a huge difference from the rankings from five years ago, but instead focusing more on affordable home prices, job security and school system strength than say, commuting time.