Money Magazine's 2011 Best Places to Live

So what is the best place to live in 2011? This is a perennial question for those of us seeking to move. Well, the folks at Money Magazine seem to have a handle on this. For the past 7 years they have been coming up with a list of the top places in the US to move to and live in. They restrict themselves to towns and cities with populations between 8,500 and 50,000. They also exclude towns with outlying extremes of median household incomes. Some of the criteria they score include job growth, home affordability, safety, school quality, health care, arts and leisure, diversity, and "several ease-of-living" factors. Based on their various criteria, the following are the top five places to move to and live in the US:

Number 5: Papillion, NE. If you like loads of open green space, this may be the destination for your next move. Papillion also offers ample jobs especially in the agricultural sector. With major corporations moving into the area, this is a booming town. Housing and industries are showing significant growth.

Number 4: Leesburg, VA. With a population of just over 40,000, Leesburg is still small enough to feel very much community-oriented. This historic town also has a healthy job market going for it. Between 2000 and 2010, job growth was measured at a staggering 47.16%. That is almost double the job growth average of all top 100 places on CNN Money's list over the same period.

Number 3: Solon, OH. Solon, population 23,300, is another smallish town with loads going for it. Jobs are plentiful, and schools are among the best. The population is also ethnically diverse, and the town has an active cultural scene, including its own philharmonic orchestra. In addition, the healthcare in Solon is unparalleled. Cleveland Clinic has established a family healthcare center in Solon.

Number 2: Milton, MA. Milton has the best of both worlds. You get the small town charm of country living, and yet the benefits of big city jobs, entertainment and excitement, because Boston is a mere 12 miles away! And in case you didn't know, Boston was recently ranked by Forbes among the top three Best Cities to Live in For Singles. Milton has a fantastic school system plus the charm of the historic homes that Boston boasts of. One of the drawbacks, however, is that State income tax (5.3%)as well as sales tax (6.25%)are both on the high side. On the plus side, Housing in the Milton Area may be more affordable than you think.

Number 1: Louisville, CO.With a population of less than 20,000, Louisville is a small mountain town that has much going for it. Besides good weather and a low crime rate, this quaint town offers numerous jobs in the fields of technology, telecoms and even aerospace. Sales tax at 2.9% is the lowest by a significant margin among the top ten listed towns, and State income tax is average at a reasonable rate of 4.63%

Here is the Complete List of Money's Top 100 Best Places to Live 2011.

So if you're contemplating a change of scene, you could do worse than moving to one of these choice destinations. But remember, you need to evaluate your own criteria as well. A town that is great according to certain measurements may not meet your individual needs or desires. One of the ways I recommend for finding the right place for you is by Comparing Places to Live. This way you can choose what is best for you. Happy Moving!