The August 2009 issue of Money Magazine is out with their annual ranking of ‘Best Places to Live’ in the United States. 4 Minnesota cities have been included in this list. The midwest has a high share, with Minnesota and Wisconsin cites alone taking up almost 10% of the entire list.
These cities are; #2) Chanhassan, MN, #20) Chasaka, MN #36) Lino Lakes, MN., #97) Owatonna, MN.
With the exception of Owatonna, the remaining 3 representing Minnesota, are all suburbs of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area (2nd and 3rd tier).
Other nearby cities on the list are; #4) Middleton, WI., #34) New Berlin, WI., #42) Urbandale, IA., #61) Pewaukee, WI., #62) Ankeny, IA., #76) Germantown, WI., #78) Waunakee, WI., #80) Bettendorf, IA., #81) West Fargo, N.D., (yes, Fargo does have a suburb, and as I am quite familiar with West Fargo, I can say that West Fargo has come a long, long way in the past 25 years). Yes, Wisconsin has 5 on the list.
I also saw that Nebraska scored 3 on the list as well – Papillion, Columbus (I lived here when I was 4 and 5 years old) and Norfolk.
Although I don’t agree with 2 aspects of the criteria selected (one is ridiculously politically correct and quite unnecessary), the rest of the criteria is based upon size, median income, quality of life, property taxes and unemployment rates etc., the rest of the criteria is general, and makes sense.
Of course Minnesota has a disproportionate share of homes in the top 100.
Very cool!
