Where are best of the best places? Who really deserves to claim elite status among America's cities. MSNBC.COM took five of the leading best places lists (those put out by Forbes magazine, Kiplinger.com, Money magazine, Fortune Small Business magazine and Relocate-America.com), merged their rankings and ranked the metros to make this unscientific analysis of the best places to live in the United States. The cities were selected prior to the floods of June 2008.
#1: Raleigh, NC Raleigh, it seems, is the best place to be in the U.S. right now. It ranks #1 in Forbes' lists in 2008 and 2007 -- consistent placement in these lists is rare. It ranks #2 in Kiplinger's list, and #20 in Fortune Small Business Magazine's place to "live and launch."
#2 Boise, ID Boise has a high proportion of college graduates and alot of affordable housing. It was #2 on Forbes' list, #4 on Kiplinger's list this year, #8 on Money's list in 2006, and #19 on Fortune Small Business Magazine's, holding an edge on the rest of the pack with Raleigh, N.C.
#3 Colorado Springs, CO "This undercurrent of energy has help bring Colorado Springs from sleepy spa town to thriving city," according to Kiplinger. It ranked #1 with Money in 2006 and is currently in the top 30 with both Forbes and Fortune Small Business.
#4 Houston, TX Houston has recovered from the oil bust of the 1980s and has reclaimed its title as the energy capital of the U.S. It has also added aerospace, technology, and medical companies to the mix, generating more than 100,000 jobs in 2007. Kiplinger places Houston as its #1 best place. It was Forbes #40 this year and Money's #3 in 2007).
#5 Omaha, NE
Kiplinger ranks Omaha #3, pointing out that despite its fame for insurance, Warren Buffett, and mail-order steaks, businesses in the city are recruiting and hiring young professionals, especially in finance, health care, information technology, and insurance. Omaha is also in Money's top 10 list, #22 on Fortune Small Business and #34 on Forbes.
#6 Fort Collins, CO Ranked highly for its income growth and educational attainment, and for job growth and is in the top 5 on Forbes' and Money's lists. It ranks #39 on Fortune's Small Business list.
#8 Austin, TX The capital if Texas and the 16th largest city in the United States, Austin is in Kiplinger's top 10 and #47 in Forbes' list. It ranked #2 from Money in 2006. Kiplinger says Austin and the surrounding region offer a strong economy, a solid, moderately priced housing market, a growingpopulation, and enough natural beauty to justify staying outside.
#9 Charlotte, NC Charlotte was selected #1 in Relocate-America.com's best places to Live in America in 2008 based on the city's employment opportunities. The city was also ranked #8 on Fortune?s list and # 37 on Forbes' list.
#10 Des Moines, IA The capital of Iowa, Des Moines, a major center for the financial services and publishing businesses -- is a city that makes everyone's list. Not only does the city land in the top 100 lists produced by Fortune Small Business and Relocate-America.com, it also boasts two top-10 placements this year with Forbes and Kiplinger, which cited its friendly, hometown atmosphere with top public schooling and affordable cost of living.
