Best places for families IN THE COUNTRY (Memphis, Knoxville: best cities, rent)

[JMT]

A recent study by the Association for Workforce Mobility (whatever that is) and BestPlaces listed the top 150 metropolitan areas in the country for "The Best Cities for Relocating Families."

Among the 50 "Large Markets" (over 1,250,000 popluation) Nashville is #2 in the country, and Memphis is #19. Fort Worth, Texas, is number one, and Miami is last.

Among the 50 "Medium Markets" (575,000 - 1,250,000) Knoxville is NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY. Stockton, California, is last.

Among the 50 "Small Markets" (350,000 - 575,000) Chattanooga is #35. Provo, Utah, is number one, and York-Hanover, Pennsylvania, is last.

The rankings are taken from data including home prices, indexed home affordability, tax burden, rent costs, economic growth, educational opportunities, air quality, unemployment rates, school expenditures, educational levels, SAT/ACT scores, climate, arts and culture, leisure activities, and population groxth.

[alleycat]

It forgot to take into account all the snakes and bugs we're rumored to have here.

;-)

[mrs1885]

Guess towns like mine of population 200 don't even make the count!! I love my little town. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by mrs1885

Guess towns like mine of population 200 don't even make the count!! I love my little town. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

Heck, if you had twins you'd raised the population by 1% all by yourself!

;-)

[sliverbox]

While I'm not exactly disagreeing with the report, it does make me wonder over the fact that there are many, many reports out there regarding " best places to do this and that", and these are ALL OVER the place. They have entirely different cities and locations.There are companies making lots of money basing their sites off of reports like this like the "best places" site.

So, my advice to most anyone is still that any report that comes out and says that such and such place is the best this or that is still an editorial opinion and should not be your primary reason for choosing an area.

[hoosier07]

But it's still nice to know that the city you are considering or that you may be relocated to is #1 or #2 instead the bottom of the list !!! :-)

[alicenevada]

is crime not included in this evaluation? Because if so, I don't see how Memphis can be even number 19. That's crazy.

[hiknapster]

Here's Money Magazine's list:

Americans are flocking to places that offer big-city opportunities and amenities -- with a lot more green space and a lot less stress. See the top 10 Great American Towns.
1. Fort Collins, CO
2. Naperville, IL
3. Sugar Land, TX
4. Columbia/Ellicott City, MD
5. Cary, NC
6. Overland Park, KS
7. Scottsdale, AZ
8. Boise, ID
9. Fairfield, CT
10. Eden Prairie, MN

[hiknapster]

Aha!

This study was conducted by the Worldwide ERC®, which has it's offices in Brussels, Belgium. JMT, you told them to write this, didn't you?

[alleycat]

I'll see your #2, and raise you a #1!

Here's the Kiplinger blurb:

#1 Nashville, Tenn.
Our top pick offers affordable homes, a mild climate and a phenomenal entertainment scene that goes far beyond country.
June 2006

What we loved: Hillsboro Village, for the acoustic guitars at Cotten Music, kitchenware at Davis Cookware and the triple chocolate mousse at Provence Breads & Café.

Although "Music City" may have worked fine in the days of Hank Sr., our top pick among great, affordable places to live needs a new moniker. We suggest "Nashville: Music Is Just the Beginning."