Fort Collins has been named the best place to live in America by Money Magazine.
The magazine’s annual Best Places ranking, released today, cites the city’s family-friendly strengths, including good jobs, low crime, good schools, open space, and housing prices.
“Fort Collins combines the vibrancy of a city with the comforts of the suburbs,” said Money’s executive editor, Craig Matters, in a press release.
He cited the city’s Rocky Mountain location and “incredible outdoor life.”
Fort Collins rated ahead of Naperville, Ill., and Sugar Land, Texas.
The magazine sought small, livable cities in its analysis. They began with a list of 745 places with populations above 50,000.
Money’s editors and writers spent months reviewing the cities based on economic and quality-of-life indicators, then visited the finalists and interviewed residents and local officials before compiling the top ten list.
“These places reflect the qualities that most Americans want when it comes to a place to live and raise a family – the opportunity for themselves and their children to prosper and a quality of life that lets them enjoy the fruits of their work,” said Matters.
A separate list ranks Colorado Springs at the top of 10 best places to live among
cities with more than 300,000 people. Two other Colorado cities made the top 90 for
cities under 300,000: Westminster at No. 24 and Longmont at No. 61.
Best Places
1) Fort Collins
2) Naperville, Ill.
3) Sugar Land, Texas
4) Columbia/Ellicott City, Md.
5) Cary, N.C.
6) Overland Park, Kans.
7) Scottsdale, Ariz.
8) Boise, Idaho
9) Fairfield, Conn.
10) Eden Prairie, Minn.
