1. Eden Prairie, MN     Top 100 rank: 1
Population: 64,000
Unemployment: 5.1%
Why is Eden Prairie No. 1 this year? Not only is it family-friendly, it has a dynamite economy too.

At 5.1%, its unemployment rate is nearly one percentage point below the county rate and more than four points below the national average. It helps when you've got 50,000 jobs right in town.

Major employers include Fortune 500 trucking company C.H. Robinson, hearing-aid maker Starkey Labs, and the Minnesota Vikings, whose practice facility and front office are here. As for fiscal strength, Moody's gives the town a perfect AAA bond rating.

While it doesn't have much of a downtown, there's plenty of outer beauty: from gently rolling hills to 17 lakes that residents flock to year-round for swimming and ice skating. Town parks are laced with 125 miles of running, hiking, and biking trails.

Columbia, MD     Top 100 rank: 2
Population: 155,000
Unemployment: 5.2%
Ellicott City boasts grand homes, a lovely 18th-century downtown, and lots of restaurants. Columbia offers a wide range of housing, tons of parkland, and a major music venue. But those varied amenities are far from the only reasons this duo has risen to No. 2 from No. 8 in 2008. It's also an economic powerhouse with a jobless rate just as enviable as Eden Prairie's.

The nearby National Security Agency and the Fort Meade Army base together account for more than 8,000 jobs, and the government plans to move thousands more positions there by next year. Baltimore and D.C. are within commuting distance (30 and 60 minutes, respectively).

Newton, MA       Top 100 rank: 3
Population: 82,000
Unemployment: 6.0%
Less than 45 minutes from downtown Boston via train, subway, or express bus, Newton is divided into 13 "villages" loaded with classic New England charm. Most have pedestrian-friendly shopping districts, parks, and playgrounds.

The town weathered the economic downturn fairly well, thanks to such stable local employers as Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. And Greater Boston, of course, offers a wealth of health care, education, and government jobs.

Residents rave about the top-ranked schools, and parents are excited for the new high school opening this fall. "It's absolutely beautiful," says Claudia Wu, 51, an attorney with three school-age kids who has lived in Newton for 20 years. It should be: The school cost $197 million, an amount that sparked plenty of local outrage.

Bellevue, WA        Top 100 rank: 4
Population: 124,000
Unemployment: 5.8%
If forested cityscapes are your thing, this is your kind of place. Bellevue's compact downtown bristles with new skyscrapers that seem to hover above Lake Washington -- and when the clouds part, mountain views loom.

Real estate isn't a bargain, but the town's jobless rate is more than two points below that of the Seattle metro area, thanks to a recent influx of jobs from such employers as Microsoft (which has moved 6,500 positions here), T-Mobile, Verizon, and Expedia. In fact, Bellevue has more jobs than it does residents.

And the population is diverse: Nearly a quarter of residents are Asian, and nearly a third are foreign born.

Fort Collins, CO      Top 100 rank: 6
Population: 141,000
Unemployment: 7.4%
Bikers and beers. In most parts of the country, those two elements may be reasons to move elsewhere. But in the foothills of Colorado's Front Range, bikers mean cyclists: Fort Collins has 29 miles of well-used trails.

As for beers, this town has become a high-end microbrew mecca. New Belgium Brewery (maker of Fat Tire) is based in this entrepreneurial town, and competitors are moving in.

People here aren't slackers either. Bolstered by Colorado State University, which employs 7,000, "the Fort" is a center of economic activity. Hewlett-Packard, the city's second-largest employer, announced worldwide layoffs in June, but they won't affect Fort Collins. In fact, the company is adding jobs here.

       Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, most areas of this idyllic        city are accessible by foot or bicycle. Charlottesville enjoys clean air and water,        and pleasant weather year-round, highlighted by especially beautiful fall foliage.        Nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a wealth of recreation opportunities. Charlottesville        is home to the University of Virginia, which strengthens the area's healthy economy        by providing steady jobs and a wealth of amenities and entertainment. Homes are        not cheap (median home price $225,000), but the cost of living is manageable. The        city's low unemployment rate and significant recent job growth promise continued        prosperity. As more and more people learn about this year's best city, Charlottesville        may find staying affordable and sprawl-free is its greatest challenge!    

       Home to over 250 art galleries and the new Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe has        long been a haven for artists. Perched high in the desert mountains, Santa Fe's        air is crisp and clean. Daytime temperatures are mild, though the nights are often        cold. The city is surrounded by over 1.5 million acres of national forest, offering        excellent hiking, camping, and downhill skiing. Recently, Santa Fe has seen its        population skyrocket as the city has become a relocation hotspot for affluent Americans.        Despite its recent growth, Santa Fe remains relatively affordable, with a median        home price of $365,000.    

       This quiet group of towns on the central California coast could easily qualify as        paradise. The climate is among the country's most pleasant, with 285 mostly sunny        days per year and temperatures rarely above 90 degrees, or below freezing. The presence        of academic heavyweight Cal Poly helps anchor the local economy- the unemployment        rate is well below the national average. It's fortunate that local jobs are plentiful,        since it's too far to commute to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Considering further        its low crime and unemployment rates, the San Luis Obispo area seems to have it        all. But home prices here have risen steadily in the last few years, so that the        median is now $536,300. While this isn't unreasonable by California standards, it        can be out of reach for many of us thinking of moving from other parts of the country.    

4. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA    

       A few miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has long been a

       Everyone knows that Honolulu is a great place to vacation, but what about putting        down roots in Hawaii's capital city? After a slow start, home appreciation is taking        off like a rocket as well-to-do mainlanders are looking for a place to invest, and        enjoy. The laid-back and easy-going attitude of the islands is infectious and helps        explain the low violent crime rate. Restaurants, eager to please the international        tourist clientele, are excellent and numerous. For the same reason, entertainment        options are various and exciting. Even Honolulu's economy is remarkable—the unemployment        rate is low and recent job growth is well above the national average. There are        some downsides to consider. Nearly all consumer items must be shipped from the mainland,        and this translates to a high cost of living. Other drawbacks are the high median        home price ($550,100) and the possible claustrophobia of living on a small island.        But if you don't mind the cost and isolation of living far off the mainland, then        Honolulu is a safe and beautiful place to live.    

       The University of Michigan is the foundation of the city's economy, providing stable        employment to many residents and keeping the unemployment rate well below the national        average. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the residents of Ann Arbor are well educated--        more than 20% have college degrees. Not only are there enough jobs to go around,        but they also pay well—Ann Arbor's per capita income is nearly 25% greater than        the national average. The city's value makes it even more attractive-- its median        home price is $220,000. Just be prepared for long winters—the temperature dips below        freezing 139 days a year. In addition, political conservatives might want to think        twice about Ann Arbor, however, as its residents and city government are vigorously        liberal.    

       Atlanta is the largest city in our Top 10 Best Places to Live, having recently experienced        a huge population boom. The crossroads of the South has become especially popular        with young people looking for a sunny and exciting urban center that is easy on        the checkbook, with its reasonable cost of living. Indeed, the city's affordable        homes (median home price $164,100) and robust economy (high per-capita income) make        Atlanta an excellent choice for young people concerned with value. The South has        a reputation for oppressive heat and humidity, but statistically Atlanta has a warm        and pleasant climate. Throw in four pro sports teams, great restaurants, and a diverse        arts scene and Atlanta emerges a sizzling city on the move.    

       Asheville is situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest part        of the Appalachian Range. A low cost of living and affordable housing (median home        price $202,100) offset the area's low measure of diversity and unremarkable economy.        This mountain getaway was settled in the 1850's as a slow-paced health retreat,        and it continues to be appealing to both families and retirees. Since the median        age of Asheville residents is above the national average, retirees moving here will        find themselves happily surrounded by their peers.    

       Reno is another one of the Top 10 cities that has recently experienced significant        population growth. New residents are attracted by the area's lack of crowding and        absence of income tax. Reno boasts ample options for outdoor recreation, including        skiing the Sierra Nevada's and exploring Lake Tahoe and its surrounding national        forest. The days are sunny and the air is especially clean, but nights are cold        and sub-freezing temperatures occur 189 days a year. The crime rate is a bit higher        than the national average, but the Reno area is affordable (median home price $292,300),        which makes it a smart choice for young people looking to move into a California-like        climate on a budget.    

       Corvallis is home to Oregon State University and hence many young singles. Technology        stalwart Hewlett-Packard has a major presence here, which helps explain the city's        low unemployment rate and impressive recent job growth. The presence of OSU and        HP has created something of an intellectual center-- over 20% of its residents have        earned a graduate or professional degree. The fertile Willamette Valley was the        destination of 19th-century settlers from the Midwest, and since then has retained        a peaceful agrarian feel. Summers are sublime and the winters are mild, if a bit        wet. For recreation, the rugged Oregon coast is a 90 minutes to the west, the nearby        Cascade range offers great skiing, and Portland is about 100 miles to the North.        Considering it's affordability ($194,800 median home price), Corvallis presents        an attractive mix of youth, intellectualism, and natural beauty.