Chanhassen named 'best place to live in US,' 2 other Minnesota cities in Top 50
Money Magazine says the best place to live in the U.S. — from big cities to small towns, and everything in between — is Chanhassen, Minnesota.
The magazine revealed its 35th annual "50 Best Places to Live" list Tuesday, looking at metrics across nine different categories to create its definitive ranking for 2021-22. And the southwest Twin Cities suburb came in at No. 1.
Money Magazine says the pandemic "upended conventional notions" about work and home life, and acknowledges the " choppy economic recovery and an ongoing national discourse around race and equality."
"But we believe Chanhassen meets this moment," the magazine writes in its lengthy profile about the city. Chanhassen also graces the cover of the 2021 issue, under the banner "The Star of the North."
The piece gives a shout-out to Paisley Park (of course), Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Minnetonka Public Schools and Chanhassen High School, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (technically in Chaska, but OK), General Mills, Life Time, Board & Brush and more.
But Chanhappenin' (sorry) is not the only Minnesota city to get a shout-out.
Money publishes its to 50 cities, and two others from here made the list.
Woodbury comes in at No. 29, with Rosemount just behind it at No. 32.
And apologies to Wisconsin as well as both Dakotas, none of which had a city make the top 50 list.
You can read about Money Magazine's methodology here. The staff weighs more than 100 different metrics across nine categories:
- Cost of Living
- Economic opportunity
- Diversity
- Education
- Fun (aka amenities)
- Health & safety
- Housing market
- Income & personal finances
- Quality of life
They had a goal "of highlighting places people can actually afford to live," while trying to "focus on somewhat lesser known spots around the United States."
