In a country known for its diverse cities and beautiful countryside America has a wealth of great places to live.
But which small city ranks as the best?
Time inc’s Money magazine set out to find out which small cities – with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 – should top the list.
In the top spot was McKinney, Texas which was the best place to live and Casper Wyoming which rounded out the poll, taking the 50th spot.
Other cities which snagged a place in the top ten included: Maple Grove, Minnesota, Carmel, Indiana, and Kirkland, Washington.
Using 781 cities altogether the magazine sifted through data from Onboard Informatics and other sources.
They combed through everything from the local economy and housing market to schools and healthcare.
The magazine also looked at more than 50 factors in all to make the decision to create an exhaustive list of the 50 best places to live.
1. McKinney, Texas
McKinney’s charm comes from its small-town feel, friendly charm and green spaces according to the city’s official website.
It’s located just 30 miles north of Dallas with a population of more than 149,000.
It is one of the fastest-growing cities in America.
And, Mckinney is so picturesque that it has been the backdrop to several movies.
The 1974 film classic Benji, was filmed in McKinney.
It has also been featured on FOX’s drama Prison Break, HGTV and NBC’s popular entrepreneur competition show, Shark Tank.
The area is home to many growth-industry jobs.
The city’s downtown square offers more than 120 unique shops.
Career and college prep are also big in McKinney’s schools.
Local residents can purchase a three-bedroom house averaging in the low $200,000s.
2. Maple Grove, Minnesota
The heart of the city is Town Green, a lakeside park and amphitheater that hosts music, dance, theater, and outdoor movies,according to Money.
Maple Grove is located in the north central part of Hennepin County.
It has a host of magnificent parks, seasonal events, and a Farmers Market.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,111, and the median income for a family was $89,966.
It has a regional Boston Scientific development and manufacturing facility, which employs over 3,000 people.
Meanwhile, houses in the older parts of town range from $200,000 to $300,000.
3. Carmel, Indiana
Carmel’s population has more than doubled since 2000.
House prices have also climbed.
The city nabbed the third spot on the list because it is thriving.
In the north of Indianapolis, it has undergone significant change over the past 20 years under a plan masterminded by and now boasts 86,000 residents.
Most of the planning was the brainchild of Carmel’s first five-term mayor Jim Brainard.
He intentionally borrowed from European architecture and design to revitalize the downtown area of Carmel replacing intersections with roundabouts.
Today, residents can hear local symphony or travelling acts at the Palladium, a 1,600-seat concert hall.
The city has also invested in the next generation by building apartments and condominiums to lure younger residents.
There are a system of trails and bike-lanes making Carmel one of the most bike-friendly communities in Indiana.
Many residents can live, work, shop and enjoy entertainment without using their cars.
