What makes a particular town or city desirable to buyers? Good schools, green spaces, and walkability are high on the list, along with low crime rates and a thriving economy. With that in mind, Money magazine, in conjunction with realtor.com, came up with a list of the 10 best places to live in America. Did your market make the cut?
10. Woodbury, MN
Minnesota is known for its friendly people and intense winters. Woodbury, a suburb of St. Paul, features a thriving health care industry that provides plenty of job opportunities for residents. It’s also affordable, with a median home price of under $400,000 for single-family properties.
9. Sammamish, WA
Want breathtaking views and easy access to Seattle? Head over to Sammamish, Washington. Residents take pride in the sense of community in the town—although be advised that nearby mega-employer Microsoft has been steadily driving up home prices.
8. Highlands Ranch, CO
This Denver suburb was purpose-built to be the ideal place to raise a family. Big yards provide plenty of room for kids to play, while the wide roads and carefully mapped communities make it easy to forget that you’re just outside a major American city.
7. Dublin, CA
Can you enjoy a quiet, suburban life in the Bay Area? It turns out that Durbin is one of the few pockets of tranquil—and affordable—living near San Francisco. With a thriving public school system and an easy commute to Silicon Valley employers, Durbin is one of California’s best places to live.
6. Franklin, TN
They don’t make towns like this anymore. Franklin is ideally situated near Nashville and several major manufacturers. The charming downtown has vintage charm, but Franklin is also a center of new home construction.
5. Cary, NC
Cary (pictured above) has one of the best school systems in the country. It also has lush green spaces, affordable single-family homes, and easy access to the Research Triangle cities of Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. Residents particularly enjoy the many walking and biking paths that traverse the city.
4. Ellicott City, MD
Sometimes it seems that everywhere within a hundred miles of DC is unaffordable and overdeveloped. But Ellicott City has a historic downtown, excellent schools, and some of the best-priced homes in the region. Situated between Baltimore and Washington, it’s an ideal suburb for professionals who want to escape the cities.
3. Carmel, IN
This Indianapolis suburb has become a haven for young families and empty-nesters alike. With a variety of architectural styles in its single-family home offerings, Carmel has something offer just about anyone.
2. Ashburn, VA
Closer to Washington, DC, than Ellicot City, Ashburn is a popular area for federal employees to call home. The single-family properties here are larger than many of the other suburban havens on the list—4-5 bedrooms, instead of 2-3—but the home prices are still affordable for the area.
1. Frisco, Texas
This Dallas suburb is one of the fastest-growing cities in America. It’s also one of the best places to live! With a growing economy and a small-town community mindset, it’s a great place for families and young professionals to call home.
