Taking into account the economy, costs of living as well as a wide range of recreational and cultural activities available, the new Web site www.usnews.com/bestplaces, allows users to select from a range of specifications such as weather and crime rate.
The user friendly Web site (http://www.usnews.com/business/best-places/to-live/listing/search) allows web surfers to conduct a nationwide search from a database of 2000 communities and cities, varying from dense urban centers to small communities and suburbs.
If proximity to top hospitals and schools is a high priority, the search tool allows users to find locations best suited for their needs. The tool also includes useful information for parents such as number of children per square mile and proximity to high rated schools according to U.S News’ “America’s Best Series.”
“Choosing where to live is a difficult decision for any family. We’ve crunched the most important geographic, economic, and educational data and provided the search tools to help make this decision a little easier for families,” said Brian Kelly, editor of U.S. News & World Report in a press release.
The Web site also allows users to conduct a more specific search either by region or state and also includes searches for the best places to retire and to work which include unemployment related specifications.
While introducing the tool, the U.S. News & World Report has offered up its own picks. The top winner was Albuquerque, N.M. (1), followed by Auburn, Ala. (2), Austin, Texas (3), Boise, Idaho (4) Durham, N.C. (5), La Crosse, Wis. (6), Loveland, Colo. (7), San Luis Obispo, Calif. (8), St. Augustine, Fla. (9), and Upper St. Clair, Pa. (10).
Albuquerque came out on top for its mixture of scenic beauty, cultural diversity, and economic stability.
“Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures,” according to the U.S. News and World Report article.
“But it’s not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.”
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