Methodology: How We Chose the Best Places to Live

Virginia Beach

Regarding Virginia Beach. Great! Article on the happiest place to raise kids. I think grown ups also! Although I love Norfolk better. Va Beach is our sister city. Hampton Roads is the happiest place to raise Adults ;)!

Locals know here that we take advantage of ALL that Hampton Roads has to offer. So you live in one city and take advantage of them all. Va Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg to the North, and the Awesome Outer Banks to the South. I lived in other places and I hope to retire here in the Hampton Roads area.

I hope everyone disagrees. shhhhhh, I enjoy my space..;p

amy of VA @ Aug 22, 2009 09:53:29 AM

I can't believe that Gilbert, AZ didn't make your list

I didn't see Gilbert, AZ on the list even though our crime rate is the lowest in the nation, the highest educated in AZ, the wealthiest community in AZ, also one of the most affordable places to live, lots and lots of families and activities, lots of sun and wonderful weather most of the year, the busiest library in the state, hiking, biking, small town feel even though we are near 300,000 and 30 minutes from bustling downtown Phoenix (sixth largest city in the nation)...Anyway, I think we should have made the list. come for a visit and golf where the Phoenix Open and LPGA golf and then let me now what you think, do we deserve it?

Mark Sequeira of AZ @ Aug 21, 2009 19:45:05 PM

Durham forever!

I, as well as many Durham, NC citizens, was very proud to be named one of the best places to live. Regionally, Durham is thought of as Raleigh's little brother. Of the people who live in the city and county of Durham, we feel we have alot to offer. Our public schools are just average but we boast some very good private schools. The cost of living in Durham is more than reasonable and we haven't had the problems with the large job losses that have occured in other areas of the country. The greatest thing about Durham is its diversity. People from many walks of life get a say in our government and communities. I have only left the Durham community twice, the military and to attend college. In my 39 years, of all the places I have had the priviledge to visit I can't think of another place on the planet I would like to live.

Tyrone of NC @ Aug 21, 2009 19:25:18 PM

Fact Checking

Like the commenter from San Luis Obispo, I am concerned about the data collection, as even a quick glance at the data for education in Columbus, Ohio shows glaring omissions. Only one ranked high school is listed (from a neighboring county), while 6 more proximal Silver High Schools, including 2 within Columbus Public Schools, are not listed. Otterbein University is listed as a ranked school within Midwest Master's Universities (#15), while Capital University, #17 on that very same list, is not. Other methodology points which are not errors, but are just bizarre include using only Central cities to define closest place with 500k+ people- the Auburn commenter above does not realize that there are more people within the city limits of Nashville than there are in Atlanta. Until the most recent year's estimate, ATL had fewer than 500,000 people, which is why it didn't count. Crime rates, as well, are handled bizarrely - either don't include any cities with above average crime (like Austin, TX), or don't use it as a cutoff. Especially since your crime stats seem to be based on zip codes, which means inner ring suburbs that share zip codes with higher crime areas in the principal city are getting screwed. Hire new (competent) consultants next time.

Jason of OH @ Jul 20, 2009 10:35:42 AM

Best Places to Live?

I was sorry not to see farmers markets included in the tools used to assess quality of life in cities across the U.S. Without a strong local (and organic) food system, including clean water delivered via a sound public infrastructure, all else pales.

Melinda Hemmelgarn of MO @ Jul 14, 2009 19:30:27 PM

Albuquerque REALLY!

I am sorry that some of you may have not fit in while you were here! Albuquerque is one of the most beautiful cities in america! Yes the PUBLIC school system needs help but you have many real good private schools here as well. The crime rate for a city of nearing one million people (metro) is about average as the crime rate has recently dropped significantly. I have lived in four continents and many american cities and I will never move again! If you want to move to a unique booming southwestern city we welcome you!

GT of NM @ Jun 16, 2009 21:33:14 PM

Conservative methodology

You're pandering to the worst American characteristic--gnawing, unreasoning fear--to start with a premise that the best places to live have to have a "below-average crime rate." As if the place with 50%+1 extra crime isn't worth considering for that reason alone.

No one likes or appreciates crime, and high crime rates are undoubtedly reducing the quality of life in some US towns, but for goodness sake, even in a town with a slightly-above-average crime isn't such a critical variable that people should be making their life choices on that basis.

As with your other "best" rankings, US News proves itself once again the king of ridiculous, flawed, conservative methodologies masquerading as objectivity. Your publication is a cancer on American life. Please just go bankrupt and spare all of us your warped visions and narrow-minded nostrums.

You'll never publish this, you clowns of NY @ Jun 14, 2009 23:03:46 PM

St. Augustine!

You were absolutely correct in listing St. Augustine FL as one of the top ten places to live. I run or bike along the beach daily and never get tired of it!

Mahina of FL @ Jun 14, 2009 22:12:43 PM