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10 Steps to Finding the Best Places to Live

By Diane Schmidt, About.com

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Step 1: Do You Prefer a Big City or a Small Town?

Small Town
When I was in my twenties and early thirties, I gravitated towards large urban centers, where things were happening and I felt connected to the city's pulse. Now that I'm older, I find myself looking for a mix of both; desiring access to events and activities while maintaining a sense of community and quiet living. This isn't an easy mix to find, so now when I seek the next place to live, I look at size of city compared to its offerings.

If you need a little mix of both, then you should look at what size of city or town you prefer. Are you into the urban scene or do you prefer the quiet, easy-going streets of a small town? Is the city you're considering have small neighborhoods that can offer a small-town feel? Can you live in a small town that's close to a larger city, still giving you access to the arts and cultural scene?

To find out the size of cities across the globe, go to City Population; it lists cities by country and provides stats based on the latest country census. Also check out City Data for information on everything you need to know about cities across the US, including weather (Step 2), population stats and unemployment rates.

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