Money Magazine: Top 10 small cities - 2008

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No 1: Plymouth, Minn.

Population: 70,100

Miles from Minneapolis: 10

Number of lakes: Eight

Rank of its main school district: Top three in the state

Pros: Plenty of green, great schools, close to the Twin Cities

Con: A long, cold winter

No. 2: Fort Collins, Colo.

Population: 129,500

Miles from Denver: 59

Hiking and biking trails: 25 miles

Average July temperature: 69°F

Pros: Environmentally minded, lots of high-tech jobs, outdoor paradise

Con: More than an hour from a major city

No. 3: Naperville, Ill.

Population: 142,900

Miles from Chicago: 26

Job growth: 18.8% since 2000

Public library: Ranked No. 1 among small cities

Pros: Topnotch schools, abundant parks, a booming downtown

Con: Lots of traffic

No. 4: Irvine, Calif.

Population: 194,000

Miles from Los Angeles: 36

Green space: One-third of the city

Sunny days per year: 280

Pros: Topnotch schools, great weather, lots of green space

Con: High home prices

No. 5: Franklin Township, N.J.

Population: 59,200

Miles from New York City: 33

Green space: 11,930 acres

Typical single-family home: $385,000

Pros: Natural beauty, diversity, affordability

Con: High taxes

No. 6: Norman, Okla.

Population: 102,800

Miles from Oklahoma City: 17

Typical single-family home: $163,600

People at the typical OU game: 84,860

Pros: Affordable housing, football mania

Cons: Severe weather, football mania

No 7: Round Rock, Texas

Population: 92,400

Miles from Austin: 17

Typical single-family home: $192,500

Job growth since 2000: 46.8%

Pros: Affordable homes, loads of outdoor amenities

Con: One employer dominates the economy

No. 8: Columbia/Ellicott City, Md.

Population: 158,800

Miles from Baltimore: 21

Median family income: $107,318

Job growth since 2000: 10.7%

Pros: Strong economy; family-friendly amenities

Con: Traffic can be heavy

No. 9: Overland Park, Kans.

Population: 166,700

Miles from Kansas City: 10

Typical single-family home: $275,000

Job growth since 2000: 16.8%

Pros: Reasonably priced housing, great job market

Con: Sometimes feels a little too planned

No. 10: Fishers, Ind.

Population: 61,800

Miles from Indianapolis: 15

Economic development spending: $700 million from 2008 to 2010

Transit: New rail line in the next five years

Pros: Public transportation, growing economy

Con: Minimal downtown

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/artic...es-to-Live-2008

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Transit: New rail line in the next five years

Pros: Public transportation, growing economy

Until I see them actually building anything, that is all speculation. There is no public transport in Fishers right now that I am aware of. Maybe 1 bus, but I doubt it. I think that one goes to Carmel.

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Until I see them actually building anything, that is all speculation. There is no public transport in Fishers right now that I am aware of. Maybe 1 bus, but I doubt it. I think that one goes to Carmel.

Here is the full writeup on Fishers from Money Mag:

Fishers is growing fast, attracting residents who are young (median age: 30) and smart (over 60% have a bachelor’s degree or more). It has the range of pluses common among our top 10, including a strong economy (lots of life-science companies are moving in), low home prices ($149,700 for the typical house) and good schools (they get high rankings in the state). Though a walkable downtown is still in the planning stages, transportation is already here: Fishers started a commuter bus service to downtown Indianapolis and plans rapid transit via rail in the next two to five years. When it comes to smart planning and sheer livability, other places could learn a lot from this little city in the Midwest.

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No. 9: Overland Park, Kans.

Population: 166,700

Miles from Kansas City: 10

Typical single-family home: $275,000

Job growth since 2000: 16.8%

Pros: Reasonably priced housing, great job market

Con: Sometimes feels a little too planned

Completely agree about the "planned" aspect - but it is a really lovely city.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I looked it up and it is one bus that goes from Fishers to Downtown every half an hour. I stand corrected. However, I think the article is making more out of it than what actually exists.

Here is the schedule:

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday. IndyGo will continue to monitor the schedule, and adjust as needed. The downtown loop takes approximately 10 minutes.

To Downtown:

Depart Eastern Star Church

Morning: 6:05 a.m., 6:35 a.m., 7:05 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 8:05 a.m. and 8:35 a.m.

Evening: 5:05 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.

Arrive at Pennsylvania and Ohio

Morning: 6:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Evening: 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

From Downtown:

Depart Pennsylvania and Ohio

Morning: 6:15 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.

Evening: 4:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m.

Arrive at Eastern Star Church

Morning: 6:57 a.m., 7:27 a.m., 7:57 a.m. and 8:27 a.m.

Evening: 4:57 p.m., 5:27 p.m., 5:57 p.m., 6:27 p.m. and 6:57 p.m.

Bus Fares: $2.00 per trip (exact fare only or an ICE Single Ride Pass). When you board, hand your money to the coach operator or drop your pass into the farebox.

Single Ride Passes: Purchase online at www.IndyGo.net, or in person at the IndyGo Customer Service Center located in the Indianapolis City Market. You can also contact the Center at (317) 635-3344.

Downtown Bus Stops: Look for the ICE Fishers Route bus stops signs

* Pennsylvania and Ohio

* Pennsylvania and Washington

* Pennsylvania and Henry

* Delaware and McCarty

* Illinois and Market

* Illinois and New York

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No. 6: Norman, Okla.

Population: 102,800

Miles from Oklahoma City: 17

Typical single-family home: $163,600

People at the typical OU game: 84,860

Pros: Affordable housing, football mania

Cons: Severe weather, football mania

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/artic...es-to-Live-2008[/url]

saturday in Norman is crazy!!!

[Cassie 8]

No. 6: Norman, Okla.

Population: 102,800

Miles from Oklahoma City: 17

Typical single-family home: $163,600

People at the typical OU game: 84,860

Pros: Affordable housing, football mania

Cons: Severe weather, football mania

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/artic...es-to-Live-2008[/url]

saturday in Norman is crazy!!!

aye, same as Stillwater. But it's pretty fun regardless.

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No. 6: Norman, Okla.

Population: 102,800

Miles from Oklahoma City: 17

Typical single-family home: $163,600

People at the typical OU game: 84,860

Pros: Affordable housing, football mania

Cons: Severe weather, football mania

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/artic...es-to-Live-2008[/url]

saturday in Norman is crazy!!!

not just IN but anywhere near going or coming from there ha