last week we highlighted a Coldwell Banker video that shows some cool stuff from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (see: ‘A Review of Home Innovations From the Consumer Electronics Show‘). Now it’s time for the not so cool….
Somethings are just a little hard to get your head around, mocking home owners who foreclose is one of those things. Steven J. Baum, a Buffalo, NY based law firm, is currently coming in for some widespread critisicm for doing exactly that as reported in the following CNN news segment. Am I missing something here?
“These terrific small towns — even now — boast great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, and more.” So says Money Magazine in their “Best Places To Live 2011” report. Here are the top 5. To see the entire list go to the original post.
Top 100 rank: 1
Population: 18,400
Unemployment: 6.3%
This sunny, lively mountain town is safe (crime rates are among the lowest in Colorado) and easy to navigate. Lots of good jobs in tech, telecom, aerospace, clean energy, and health care can be found right in Louisville, and more are on their way. And there’s world-class mountain biking, hiking, and skiing in the nearby Rockies. Real estate prices have barely budged since 2005, yet a typical three-bedroom house here still runs less than a comparable one in nearby Boulder. Its schools consistently rank among the top three academically in the Denver area.
2. Milton, MA
Top 100 rank: 2
Population: 27,000
Unemployment: 6.6%
Milton is just minutes from the jobs and culture of Boston but feels in places like a country getaway. Tree-lined streets are dotted with historic homes. Single-family home prices have remained essentially unchanged since the market’s peak in 2005. One major reason for this stability is the outstanding school system, which boasts six brand-new buildings and offers such rich opportunities as a French immersion program that begins in elementary school. The downside: high taxes.
3. Solon, OH
Top 100 rank: 3
Population: 23,300
Unemployment: 8.2%
Solon is a small town with a large tax base: Major employers include Nestle, L’Oreal, and industrial equipment maker Swagelok. Solon punches above its weight in other areas too. Health care? The world-renowned Clevelend Clinic has a family health center here. Culture? Solon has its own philharmonic orchestra. Schools? Solon was the highest-achieving district in Ohio last year. And the student body is diverse: 11% of residents are black, 10% Asian.
4. Leesburg, VA
Top 100 rank: 4
Population: 42,600
Unemployment: 4.1%
Leesburg, which snuggles up to the Virginia-Maryland border, offers proximity to plenty of good jobs not just in government but also in defense contracting, consulting, and technology. True, commutes can be abysmal. But residents say that the tradeoff to live in this pretty town, which has seen more history than a Ken Burns film, is worth it. Many antebellum red-brick buildings still stand, now filled with restaurants and art galleries. On the negative side, there are some run-down neighborhoods.
Top 100 rank: 5
Population: 18,900
Unemployment: 4.2%
Nebraska, sexy? You’d better believe it. With agriculture booming, towns here are showing employment and housing-market strength that’s the envy of the coasts. Papillion is no exception; its economy benefits from a broad base of industries, including health care and transportation, in nearby Omaha. In June, energy company Black Hills Corp. moved its local headquarters–and 130 jobs–here. There are also excellent schools, a five-month-old AAA baseball stadium, a new retail and restaurant complex, and loads of green space.
For the rest of the list click here.