Earlier this morning on the Today Show, CNN Money released its list of "America's Best Places to Live."
Dallas doesn't make the list, even though there are 100 places, but neither does any other metropolis because this is a list of small cities that "offer strong job opportunities, great schools, low crime and a true sense of community." The methodology, which considers housing affordability, arts and culture, economy, health care and safety, considers only cities between 50,000 and 300,000 people. Seems large cities are filled with too many undesirables.
No. 1 on the list is Carmel, Indiana. No. 2 is McKinney, our exurb to the north. Here's CNN Money's take:
Established in 1849, McKinney is one of northern Texas' oldest towns. Stroll around downtown, and you'll see cotton mills and feed stores transformed into hip boutiques and art galleries.The city offers plenty of housing options, from starter homes to old Victorians and "Texas-style" five-bedrooms. Low taxes have lured companies with white-collar jobs in technology and energy, a new hospital opened in July, and a conference center and hotel complex is in the works.
McKinney's location on the fringes of the Dallas area means commuters have a longer drive downtown, but also easy access to rolling green hills, golf courses, and leafy open spaces lacking in neighboring towns.
McKinney is already touting its rank, which is up from its No. 5 rank two years ago.
"McKinney is a great place to live, arguably the best," Mayor Brian Loughmiller. "Our community has a consistently high quality of life for our residents, no matter how we grow and change. It's amazing what we have in our city, and it's just going to get better."
Arguably indeed. Also arguable: CNN Money ranked Allen at 13, Mansfield at 28, and Flower Mound at 32.
