Austin #3 on U.S. News "Best Places" 2009 (Sugar Land: best cities, sales)

[ILikeSmartHippies]

quoting.. (I lived in #8 as well and it's definitely worth it's rank though it is too small of a city to really be on a city list.)

Best Places to Live 2009

U.S. News looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do


Here's our list of the 10 best places to live:

1. Albuquerque, N.M.
2. Auburn, Ala.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Boise, Idaho
5. Durham, N.C.
6. La Crosse, Wis.
7. Loveland, Colo.
8. San Luis Obispo, Calif.
9. St. Augustine, Fla. (http://www.usnews.com/business/best-places/listing/florida/st._augustine - broken link)
10. Upper St. Clair, Pa. (http://www.usnews.com/business/best-places/listing/pennsylvania/upper_st._clair - broken link)

By Luke Mullins
Posted June 8, 2009
With the decade winding to a close, Americans have grown increasingly reluctant to gas up their moving vans. Last year, the Census Bureau's national mover rate—which represents the percentage of Americans 1 year and older who moved within the past year—hit its lowest level since 1948, when the bureau began tracking the data. And who can blame us? In the face of a terrifying banking crisis, a historic housing crash, and a grueling recession, relocating to a new city isn't exactly on the to-do list. But despite the uncertain economy, the nation's diverse topography presents an enviable menu of great places to find work, retire, or just change your scene.


In selecting our Best Places to Live for 2009, U.S. News took a thrift-conscious approach: We looked for affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do. The cities we selected are as distinct as America itself—ranging from a quaint suburb to a live-music mecca. But whether you prefer hiking through the Rocky Mountains, pulling a fish out of the Atlantic Ocean, or grilling hot dogs at a college football tailgate, here are 10 places that will fill up your daybook without emptying your wallet.




....



Austin, Texas
If you're a free spirit, music junkie, or barbecue lover--or if you simply have what it takes to "keep Austin weird"--Texas's state capital is for you. Considered ground zero for live music, this city of 716,000 residents is home to legions of musicians and nearly 200 performance venues. In addition, Austin hosts the always popular South by Southwest festival. Since its inception in 1987, the event has mushroomed from a local gathering to a 1,800-band, 80-stage extravaganza of music, filmmaking, and interactive activities featuring performers from all over the world. Austin is also a high-tech hub, with companies like Dell and IBM, which employ thousands of residents.
The city's warm climate offers plenty of sunshine, while the open green spaces don't provide any excuse for staying indoors. Head over to Lions Municipal Golf Course for an inexpensive round. Wander through the 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park until you find Barton Springs Pool, a 3-acre water source fed by underground springs that keep its temperature around 68 degrees all year long. To escape the city, head for the nearby Hill Country. "It's rolling hills cut with lots of little creeks and streams," says Tom Beach, a sales clerk at Austin Canoe & Kayak. "It makes for a nice road trip."

[Alatex]

U.S. News looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do

Then, they threw out a couple of those great cities and put crappy towns like Auburn and Durham in their place

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Alatex

Then, they threw out a couple of those great cities and put crappy towns like Auburn and Durham in their place

and another report will come out next week telling us, Jacksonville Fl is number one. These polls or studies are fun, but that is all they are, something to entertain us.

Nita

[austinite45]

This "Best places 2009" story is just a duplicate of the one by another poster.

US News would have been correct if it had removed 2 letters from "BEST"

[llkltk]

It's just an article, who cares anyway? If Austin had been voted worst place to live, all of you posters would be crying "our city rocks".

[gb0610]

You're right OP, San Luis Obispo is one of the BEST towns in America, if not the best. It really is about perfect. But yes, to small to be on the list in my opinion as well.

If I could live in any city, San Luis Obispo, Ca, Bend, Or. and Austin would be my top three.

[Jennibc]

FYI, that isn't a ranking per se as the cities are just listed alphabetically. According to the magazine they are the top 10 but in no particular order.

[Trainwreck20]

I think Austin would be on a top-10 list of cities on top-10 lists......

[AK123]

I'm still convinced that ever since Sugar Land made one of these lists (I think it was #3 in Money Magazine best cities to live) a few years ago, home prices have gone up and almost unreasonable in some neighborhoods.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by llkltk

If Austin had been voted worst place to live...

I would have been long gone before that happened...