Small City USA: MN Claims Nearly 10% of America's Top 100

Plentiful jobs, excellent schools, affordable housing - according to CNN's Money Magazine top 100 list of America's best small cities, 9 Minnesota cities have all that and more. And even better, the report ranked named our very own northwest suburb, Plymouth, MN, as the #1 place to live among U.S. cities with populations of 50,000 to 300,000!

The ranking touts Plymouth's "topnotch" schools, plentiful jobs, affordable housing, low crime rate and active outdoor culture. In addition, the report shows that Plymouth has a significantly higher-than-average median family income, family purchasing power, math and reading test scores, and percentage of residents with a health plan (91.2%); AND lower-than-average auto insurance premiums, shorter commute times, and lower median home prices. Here are a few other things they say about our little gem of a city..."Home prices are within reason: The typical three-bedroom, two-bath house goes for $350,000. The city's main school district is ranked among the top three in the state, and for culture, Plymouth's open-air amphitheater, the Hilde Performance Center, hosts numerous summer concerts. Residents are a quick drive from the Mall of America, the nation's biggest mall.

And did we mention the outdoors? Plymouth boasts more than half a dozen sizable bodies of water. Of course, this being Minnesota, winter can be brutal: January's average low temperature is about 13°F. But when the mercury plummets, the locals get busy. In February the city hosts a Fire & Ice Festival that includes mini-golf, bowling and basketball - all right on the ice." 

Money ranks the communities based on financial data, housing, safety, crime rates, weather and similar factors. And while no other Minnesota city made the top 10, the state was well represented, taking 9 of the top 100: Eagan came in at #17, Apple Valley at 24, Lakeville at 26, Eden Prairie at 40, Maple Grove at 41, Burnsville at 43, Rochester at 70 and Blaine at 93. 

To read more about why Plymouth is such a fantastic place to live, click here for Money Magazine's full report on the city. And if you want to get your hands on your own piece of this small city oasis, be sure to check out our latest listing at 18205 County Road 24 in Plymouth or any of our other great properties at www.donedam.com/listings.