How the Best Places Search Tool Works

Durham?

I work in Durham but would never ever think of living here. Many people who work at the Duke University or for the health system do not live in the city either. I think that you confused Durham with surrounding Raleigh and Chapel Hill that get lumped together. Crime is a huge issue in Durham. Great baseball team (Bulls), University and hospital but you pull those out of Durham and you are left with nothing.

Shocked in Durham of NC @ Jun 15, 2009 11:09:41 AM

La Crosse is worth checking out

I just want to say La Crosse has more to offer then just fishing and camping. There are great schools, great hospitals (one part of the Mayo Health System), great family fun as well as arts and music. Before you pass La Crosse up as just a small town with beautiful scenery and cold winters do a little more checking and you will discover the richness it holds.

Holly of WI @ Jun 13, 2009 09:46:48 AM

La Crosse, WI?

If you plan to live anywhere in Wisconsin you better consider the tax liability. Wisconsin property taxes are among the highest in the country. Add income taxes and a multitude of other "fees" on services and you may want to look elsewhere. Check out the dysfunctional state legislature and you will find a very undesirable, albeit aesthetic natural surrounding, and things don't look that peachy. But everyone has their "special" place. Just be sure to research your choices thoroughly.

Bill of AZ @ Jun 12, 2009 10:37:18 AM

Durham, NC

I live in Durham and I think it's a place on the rise. I agree that there is too much racial politics, but culturally there's a wonderful new cultural arts center bringing top notch talent and shows. The schools are improving and I'm very happy with Rogers/Herr MS for my child. It's ranked very high statewide. I haven't seen a drop in housing prices like in other areas. You can't beat the health care in the area. We have a new police chief who seems to be doing a good job since I've seen a drop in crime reporting. Being next to Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill and Raleigh without having to pay as much for your home makes it ideally situated for the future. Can't speak to the singles scene as I'm married, but being involved with church or clubs is the best way to meet people and these are abundant in Durham.

Jeanie of NC of NC @ Jun 11, 2009 10:47:29 AM

Durham, NC

About time someone recognize what the proud Bull City residents have known for years. Kudos, Yahoo.

C of NC @ Jun 10, 2009 07:54:06 AM

Different tastes for everyone

I find that the criteria used to choose these places just doesn't work for everyone. I am a single 40-something working professional who lives between Baltimore and Washington and I wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. Why should I care how close I am to some major university? I finished school long ago and have no intentions of going back. While I agree a low crime rate is important - and Baltimore/DC do have a relatively high crime rate - I've been here 16 years and never once encountered crime on a personal level. To me, it's a matter of picking a safe area to live in - every city has its share of decent safe suburbs and personally I prefer to live in a demographically heterogeneous area where you aren't going to have a great risk for high crime. And since I don't have any kids, why should I care if there are tons of kids around? To me, that equals higher taxes because of the need for more schools. And while climate is important, I personally think I could live most anywhere. Sure, I wouldn't want to live in Siberia or likewise at the Equator or someplace where it rains 350 days a year but no matter where you go, something isn't going to be quite right. In the end, I feel it's all about where you can get the best job - after all, you spend most of your waking day working - and make the most of the free time you do have. "Home" means different things to different people and you know in your heart where it is - it's where you feel you belong, where your friends and roots are and where you truly wnat to be. You can't rely on some quiz to tell you this!

David Larson of MD @ Jun 10, 2009 07:00:00 AM

Cultural desert

I moved to La Crosse 3 years ago because yes, it is beautiful and affordable. I miss diversity. I miss the ability to get a good restaurant meal that isn't fried. I miss engaged conversation. If you love riding Harleys, huntin' and fishin', this is your place. If you enjoy getting falling-in-the-gutter drunk, then welcome to western Wisconsin, where any local festival is about knocking back a brew, and bars promote all-you-can-drink specials. These top 10 lists look at data, not the culture of place; I wish I would have understood the community, not just looked at the bluffs and the price of real estate.

S. A. Johnson of WI @ Jun 09, 2009 22:04:41 PM

Orange County, CA

I admit the following criteria are idiosyncratic, but they are important to me. I would add these:

1. I am a world traveler, and it is important to be close to a major international airport, with world-wide connections, in my case LAX. I can usually go one-stop to most of the countries in the world. For example, I recently went to Kyrgyzstan, one stop on Aeroflot via Moscow, then to Bishkek. Or to Hanoi, one stop on Cathay Pacific via HK. When my return flight arrives at LAX, I am basically home.

2. I am an arts lover, e.g., ballet, chamber music, opera, museums, etc. We have a lot in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. But where that doesn't suffice, I get a non-stop to New York. I go 3 or 4 times a year there, for the imcomparable arts scene (and many other attractions). At least 3 nearby airports offer non-stops to New York.

3. When home, I run every morning. 10K. Weather never obstructs. Could I say this in, for example, La Crosse?

Roger of CA @ Jun 09, 2009 19:23:24 PM