http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/article_a8741be2-a21c-11de-9e0b-001cc4c03286.html

Our local paper had this article about the best places to raise a family. I tried the link within the article to take me to the actual site but it was not working.

My city is #4 on the list. I guess that's something to be happy about!

Does your city come in on this list or do you have reasons why it is/is not a great place to raise a family?  What do you think of the criteria?

BTW: I think there are other factors that make a place a great place to raise a family other than those listed. My guess is the magazine used objective and measurable criteria, things which are not available in every city/town.

The children's magazine article

Actually I turned down military orders to Southern California because I did not want to raise my children there even though it was where I was born and raised. I live in a small town between Syracuse and Rochester NY. Just relaxed enough - not too city or rural. Never regretted my decision and I think my children were better off for it as well.

I raised my children in the mid hudson valley of New York and believe they had a good childhood.  Also, a small town.

If I could relocate I would move to a small town.  Now it would be difficult to do but not impossible. I'm happy for all those people who live in the places ranked as "best to raise a family".  Does anyone here live in the top 10.?

we live in small town America  somewhere were everyone knows your name and your family ... 

my kids are surrounded by family  they know the Sheriff .. their oldest helps with the foot ball team .. their BIl is a deputy ...they never lived anywhere but  here .

I live in a suburb of one of the towns on the list. I've lived all over the country, and I like it best here.

Jill

gayla50:

my kids are surrounded by family  they know the Sheriff ..

Oh Gayla, that sounds heavenly! I would love for my kids to grow up in a town where they wouldn't dare get in trouble when they were away from home, because everyone who saw it knew them, and would call me up and tell me about it! LOL

 Well, my kids gre up in Idaho Falls, but Boise is the only city ranked (39) & wouldn't have wanted to raise the kids there. Salt Lake is the only city in Utah ranked (79) & I also would not want to live there - - the inversions & smog are terrible! 

We are in south Utah County & it is a nice place, but we didn't raise the kids here. We moved for DH's job after they were grown.The youngest moved with us & had her senior year here, but when people at college ask her where she is from, she says, "Idaho Falls".

 I think that being raised in a small town is always the better choice. They can move to a big city later on in their lives but the childhood should be spent in a small town.