Story by Hal Goodtree | July 13, 2010 | Tags: Business, News, real estate
Cary, NC – Break out the champagne: Cary has once again made it into Money Magazine’s Top 25 Places to Live.
How They Did It
Money Mag crunched data on 746 small cities across the U.S. with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.
They screened out retirement communities, towns with significant job loss, and those with poor education and crime scores. Money ranked remaining places based on housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, safety, health care, diversity, and several ease-of-living criteria.
That cut the list by more than half. Then they factored in additional data on the economy (including fiscal strength of the government), jobs, housing, and schools. Economic factors were weighted most heavily.
Finally, Money visited 30 towns and interviewed residents, assessing traffic, parks, and gathering places and considering intangibles like community spirit.
A Bit of Analysis
Cary weighed in at #23. Eden Prairie, MN topped the list. No other North Carolina cities made the Top 25 (Chapel Hill came next at #40).
Minnesota had the most cities on the list with 5. Texas had 4 cities on the list and Colorado 3. In case anyone was asking, New Jersey had no cities in the Top 25. Franklin, NJ weighed in at 34, followed by Piscataway (57) and Wayne (73).
While lots of data fueled the study, it’s not exactly science. Nonetheless, it’s nice to hear that others think we have a solid community.
“Recognition is due to our residents, our Town staff and our partners–the Cary Chamber and our neighboring municipalities–who all work together to make great things happen in our area,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “Moving forward, we want to make sure we continue to do those things necessary to make us worthy of this sort of recognition, and above all, keep Cary the kind of place our citizens want it to be.”
Congratulations to the Town staff and administration, all our local businesses, volunteers and participants in the life of our vibrant town.
Maybe next year, we’ll give Eden Prairie a run for their money.
News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by Great Harvest Bread Company
