Best Places to Live 2009

U.S. News looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do

By Luke Mullins

Posted: June 8, 2009

Consider this list a springboard to get you thinking about the qualities you're looking for in your own Best Places to Live search.

Updated on 06/10/09: U.S. News worked with Onboard Informatics to create their list of the Best Places to Live. Onboard Informatics provided the underlying data and algorithm.

Auburn

We Love it.War Eagle

Bill and Debra Morkes of AL @ Nov 23, 2009 20:09:33 PM

Tampa,Florida

I recently moved from Perth Amboy,NJ to Tampa,FL.i gotta tell ya that the weather is just perfect.Sure we were getting hit by a tropical storm but now that winter is right around the corner...i guess that there isnt going to be any for a while.But other then that,taxes are lower.Beaches are nicer and i still see the sun alot.It is a BEAUTIFUL place and its clean.The Skyscrapers are very nice.The population is getting higher every year!And I'm new to tropical areas but instead of always seeing regular trees,we ALWAYS see palm trees (which is relly cool).At least Tampa is noticed.Perth Amboy isnt

William of FL @ Nov 13, 2009 20:15:11 PM

San Luis Obispo,Ca

Sure is a great place and I wish I could afford to live here.Been in and out of this town for 35 years and brother it is hard to make a living here.If you are rich you will be fine here...or a student....retired...But I must say the traffic is off the charts now and every road gets used like a freeway.Back roads that were at one time so cool to drive on are now like freeway on ramps with someone always on your tail and pushing you up the road hard.The small town feel is gone but for people coming from a large city you still might think your in the country.Bring lots of money and you will be happy here.Lots of wine to drink and fancy food to eat.But then you could do that anywhere.I saw a sign on a house here in 1976 and it read welcome to the new LA....so what do you think locals think of the crowds here now in 2009.Yep...over the top.Business people will say no..real people say the old SLO Town is dead and the rich have fashioned a new town here just like the one they left back in there old home town.And Avila Beach has been torn down and tossed away.In its place they built a mini Santa Barbara but what else is new.If you love stucco and glass and a coffee shop on every corner well then welcome to Joes Mama town baby.Can't miss her mug hung on the outside walls for all to see her looking the town over.Move here and enjoy yourself cause if I get some money together I am out of here and off to where I will never tell.Maybe someone can get the Harbor District in Avila to clean up the pigeon poop filled fish cleaning station on the end of Avila pier.Maybe move the fish cleaning to inside the Pier end bathrooms and some fresh water outlets under the pier for the birds...don't forget rails for the birds to sit on under there.Then wash all the poop off the pier.Then install long floppy wire dodads on the light poles to keep the seagulls off......On the good side again the rush of traffic to and from the Nuclear Power plant nearby going past all the people trying to park and get their kids to a from the beach is a blast to watch.No way will they paint the no passing lines there that would stop all the fun of near brushes with death trying to get to the sand at Ole Port Beach,Ca.You say I'm jaded ? well maybe...But you should have been here 30 years ago.Bring your sack of gold and a lead foot and the flying middle finger and you will be fine.Nothing says welcome more that the Flying Middle finger from a grey hair old lady that passes you on the on ramp to the freeway...... and the 24 -7-365 heavy truck traffic on the local freeway...sounds like the ocean waves when you close your eyes at night and try to sleep in your $700,000 fixer upper near the busy roads....Ok I got it out of my system for now so welcome and see my finger ?...

Frozen Stiff of CA @ Nov 13, 2009 13:39:25 PM

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