BEST CITY TO LIVE IN THE US..

No doubt about it. Folsom, California, named by money magazine, "Best city to live in California" Since CA is the best state, I would say, Folsom, CA is # 1.

I was just talking about this with someone today. I grew up in suburban Chicago and had it all -- nice house, great schools, safe, parents had good jobs, but they got in there well before the population explosion and the dramatic increase in cost of living. With that, i just started a family -- we make about 80K as family and just bought a really nice 200K house and got in the top county in the state in terms of schools and it is in none other than Nashville, Tenn.

I went to college down here and have migrated back and have nothing but good feelings about the place not only from a guys perspective, but a "family guys" perspective as well. It is dirt cheap to live down here. A 300-400K house costs at least 750K in most metro-suburban areas. I don't know much about the job market -- I lucked into mine. My only knock would be the heat in the summer because overall, the Nashville area has tons of runner interest and trails. Just look at how big the Music City Marathon has become.

There are other places out there, but Nashville has a lot to offer in my opinion based on what I have seen.

You're right. Nashville rocks. Knoxville on the other hand SUCKS!

You must be joking try to compare CA to TN.

If you are a family guy why do you care about the people being good looking?

I really like my city of Colorado Springs.

This is really a silly question in a lot of ways since what I like about COS, you might hate. Hard to hate the weather here even coming off the worst of the 9 winters I have been through here.

Intel wrote:

You must be joking try to compare CA to TN.

If you're that much of a cocky prick, you must be from California.

CA has it all but the attitude of the place sucks. it all depends on what you are looking for. if you are all about nice people that live ordinary lives then cali sucks. if you are into attitude and way to many people cali is fantastic. i love california but it isnt everyones cup of tea like all the smug califonians think it is.

California is a money pit. Taxes are out of control, cost of living is, and EVERYONE wants to live there. Other than San Luis, I have not been impressed with California at all. I lived in Eugene, OR for three years and would live there before California any day of the week. If you have the money, the kudos, move to Cali. But I'd rather be in NC, TN, KY, OR, WA.

TN is too humid in the summer. TN has too many Jesus-Nazi's and Nazi-Zionist transplants from Hell. Plus approximately 1/3 of the population has a speech disorder and talk funny, I don't know what the disorder exactly is though.

Oh yes....Folsom...Home of the Folsom mommies and the materialistic capital of California.

And...oh yes the smog that sits there in the summertime that blows in from Sacramento. Don't you love how is just sits there and in the foothils. So much you can taste it.

While it might be very cold there during the winter, Minneapolis/St. Paul is a great place. Not overly expensive, very outdoorsy when it is nice out and the people in Minnesota are the nicest people I have ever met. It is one of the nicest places I have ever been and is definitely the top place I would live outside of where I live now. Portland and Lake Tahoe are the other top two places I have visited that were just great.

Humid yes. Suprisingly it is turning into - or maybe already has depending on who you talk to - an Atlanta-type city with Northern transplants looking for warmer weather and cheaper housing.

I find the religion craze down here no less or more than in Chicago. Maybe I've just become numb to it.

To me, 20 minutes from the city and 20 minutes from being in the sticks is ideal. Not a lot of places left like that.

Doesn't look like the #1 place to live if you ask me.

California's population growth rate slipped for a sixth year in a row as tens of thousands of residents left for other states, according to new estimates the state released Wednesday.

Demographers said many of those who left probably were seeking a lower cost of living.

San Jose, as the nation's least affordable city, San Francisco as No. 2 and Los Angeles as No. 9 make California the state with the most, least affordable places to live among the Top 10 "Most Overpriced Places," according to Forbes magazine.

Top 10 Smartest Places to Live -- Missing Folsom, CA :(

#1 Nashville, Tenn.

Our top pick offers affordable homes, a mild climate and a phenomenal entertainment scene that goes far beyond country.

#2 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

The Twin Cities offer a hip and progressive atmosphere with a midwestern sensibility, multiple cultural outlets, pro teams in all four major sports, a dozen universities and colleges, and a diverse economy.

#3 Albuquerque, N.M.

This laid-back city offers resort-town ambience, a boomtown economy and cow-town prices.

#4 Atlanta, Ga.

The capital of Georgia is a vibrant city with a rich history, good health care, a great cultural scene and genteel neighborhoods shaded by magnificent dogwood and magnolia trees.

#5 Austin, Tex.

Home to the University of Texas, the state capitol, the Zachary Scott Theatre and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, Austin is a sophisticated salsa of culture, history and politics.

#6 Kansas City

This city split along state lines offers something for everyone: from stately houses to downtown lofts and world-class museums to barbecue.

#7 Asheville, N.C.

A virtually franchise-free downtown, world-class cuisine, amazing crafts, live music venues and fine arts make this city tucked into the Blue Ridge mountain range one of a kind.

#8 Ithaca, N.Y.

True, it's in the Finger Lakes boonies of central New York, but Ithaca is an Ivy League outpost with great food, beautiful scenery and Naderite politics.

#9 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Currently undergoing a renaissance, this hidden gem has distinctive neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, glittering skyscrapers, upscale shops and a diversified economy.

#10 Iowa City, Iowa

An oasis on the prairie, this wholesome middle-American city is bursting with creative and intellectual energy.

Orem/Provo, utah

Gaspee; Warwick, RI

Quiet and great for running. Minutes from Providence.

Ithaca isn't bad, but other than that, I don't think I'd live in any of those top 10 places to live. Atlanta and Austin are fun to visit, but I don't think I'd live there under pretty much any circumstances.

My favorite places in no particular order:

Portsmouth, NH

Newburyport, MA

San Francisco, CA

Portland, OR

Seattle, WA

#7 Asheville, N.C.

"A virtually franchise-free downtown"

Whatever...more like most franchised town in America.

many roads seeing more & more 'box' stores.

For sure it's the most over rated town...quickly losing what made it great--in terms of running & living, however still some cool places to live on the outskirts.

Charlie Daniels wrote:

#5 Austin, Tex.

Home to the University of Texas, the state capitol, the Zachary Scott Theatre and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, Austin is a sophisticated salsa of culture, history and politics.

I've never even heard of the Zachary Scott Theatre and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum... and I live in Austin. That list is weird anyway.

Since this is going to turn into a brag about your hometown thread -- I'll go ahead and say Austin has a ton to offer. And it's not not really a "Texas" town if you know what I mean. Texas natives hate Austin.

can't believe Ladysmith ,Wisconsin isn't on here. Hmmm........