Life's good here, list notes

Magazine finds something for all stages in city

Monday, May 14, 2007

By WAYNE SMITH

Times Business Editor wayne.smith@htimes.com

If you're a mid-level professional living in Huntsville, you're in the right place. Young singles and empty-nesters should feel at home, too.

According to Kiplinger Personal Finance's list of the "Best Cities for Every Stage of Your Life," Huntsville is one of five cities ranked as the best for mid-level professionals. The others: Kansas City, Mo.; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Maine; and Fayetteville, N.C.

The "Best Cities" listing is the cover story for the June issue of the magazine, on newsstands today.

For the first time, Kiplinger teamed with Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class," to pick 25 cities that are suited for people in different life stages. Each city had a large creative class, or a "population that fuels cultural and economic vitality.''

Other "best city" categories included: Married with Kids, Young Singles, Empty-nesters and Retirees.

According to Kiplinger, the metro areas were all chosen because they have a strong creative class, including scientists, engineers, architects, educators, writers, artists and entertainers. Other common criteria included job growth, per-capita income growth and measures of innovation, such as patents per capita.

Jessica Anderson of Kiplinger said the rankings are based on Florida's research on creative class workers.

"Huntsville, for being a smaller city, has a very large creative class population, mostly centered in the technology field," Anderson said. "It has a low cost of living, people are generally satisfied with their jobs and they are paid well. People who move to Huntsville are very well educated, and there is a variety of cultural activities as well. It makes it a very desirable city."

While cities are ranked in the areas they scored highest in, some cities crossed over into other categories as well, Anderson said. "For example, Huntsville also ranked very well for young singles and empty-nesters in addition to mid-level professionals."

The Kiplinger article also mentions Huntsville's cost of living at 8 percent below the national average and said mortgage payments here rival rent costs in larger metro areas.

"This ranking recognizes the many career and personal opportunities available in Huntsville," Mayor Loretta Spencer said. "Opportunity combined with a lower cost of living make our city a great destination for people in all stages of life."

In the rankings based on every life stage, special consideration was given to cities with high numbers of bars and restaurants for young singles, cities with excellent education ranked highly for families and those with low-cost health care ranked highly for retirees.

"Not only do you want a strong economy where wages and opportunities keep rising, you want a cool place to call home that fits your lifestyle," said Robert Frick, senior editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.



Life's good here, list notes Magazine finds something for all stages in city Monday, May 14, 2007 By WAYNE SMITH Times Business Editor wayne.smith@htimes.com If you're a mid-level professional living in Huntsville, you're in the right place. Young singles and empty-nesters should feel at home, too. According to Kiplinger Personal Finance's list of the "Best Cities for Every Stage of Your Life," Huntsville is one of five cities ranked as the best for mid-level professionals. The others: Kansas City, Mo.; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Maine; and Fayetteville, N.C. The "Best Cities" listing is the cover story for the June issue of the magazine, on newsstands today. For the first time, Kiplinger teamed with Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class," to pick 25 cities that are suited for people in different life stages. Each city had a large creative class, or a "population that fuels cultural and economic vitality.'' Other "best city" categories included: Married with Kids, Young Singles, Empty-nesters and Retirees. According to Kiplinger, the metro areas were all chosen because they have a strong creative class, including scientists, engineers, architects, educators, writers, artists and entertainers. Other common criteria included job growth, per-capita income growth and measures of innovation, such as patents per capita. Jessica Anderson of Kiplinger said the rankings are based on Florida's research on creative class workers. "Huntsville, for being a smaller city, has a very large creative class population, mostly centered in the technology field," Anderson said. "It has a low cost of living, people are generally satisfied with their jobs and they are paid well. People who move to Huntsville are very well educated, and there is a variety of cultural activities as well. It makes it a very desirable city." While cities are ranked in the areas they scored highest in, some cities crossed over into other categories as well, Anderson said. "For example, Huntsville also ranked very well for young singles and empty-nesters in addition to mid-level professionals." The Kiplinger article also mentions Huntsville's cost of living at 8 percent below the national average and said mortgage payments here rival rent costs in larger metro areas. "This ranking recognizes the many career and personal opportunities available in Huntsville," Mayor Loretta Spencer said. "Opportunity combined with a lower cost of living make our city a great destination for people in all stages of life." In the rankings based on every life stage, special consideration was given to cities with high numbers of bars and restaurants for young singles, cities with excellent education ranked highly for families and those with low-cost health care ranked highly for retirees. "Not only do you want a strong economy where wages and opportunities keep rising, you want a cool place to call home that fits your lifestyle," said Robert Frick, senior editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.