Money Magazine Ranks Columbia/Ellicott City -- Again
But the ranking has changed quite a bit since 2010.
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Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” ranking has just been released, and the Columbia/Ellicott City dual entry has slipped six points in two years from being the second best place to live in 2010 to the eighth best in 2012.
And in 2011? Howard County didn’t make the list at all.
This year, CNN’s Money Magazine returned to Howard County, pointing out that living on the border of Columbia and Ellicott City:
...Offers the best of both worlds – a charming, historic downtown with plenty of restaurants (Ellicott City), and a thoughtfully laid-out planned community with lots of big-box stores and a giant arena (Columbia).
The article also notes the area’s "diverse population," “reasonable housing costs” and "terrific schools." It even points to Columbia’s Blandair Park as a reason Columbia/Ellicott City is a great place to live.
Columbia/Ellicott City comes in just behind Reston, VA, at #7 and one step ahead of #9, Overland Park, KS.
And if you’re wondering, according to Money Magazine, the Best Place to Live is Carmel, IN.
See the top 100 Best Places to Live on Money Magazine.
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Elizabeth Brunetti
2:52 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Were they being sarcastic when they mentioned the "reasonable living costs"? I suppose that when it's taken into account along with the rest of the Metro area, it is a bit more reasonable, but compared to the rest of the country…not so much!
Erik DeVito
3:06 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
The 2011 list did not omit Columbia/Ellicott City. It was a list of the best "small towns" while 2010 and 2012 lists are "small cities". There is an explaination on their site as to what the difference between the two is.
Lisa Rossi
3:10 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
I'm thrilled our communities made this list! Here is a list of things I love about the area, which I wrote around Thanksgiving: http://columbia.patch.com/articles/top-10-things-i-m-thankful-for-in-columbia
rlp
3:24 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
I question the "reasonable housing costs" also.
Tom
4:53 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Did they mention the horrid weather conditions, blistering cold winters, uncomfortable humid summers.. and a growing crime rate???
Yeah, I would rather live in San Diego, same cost of living, 75 degrees year round, no humidity..
b.santos
9:06 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
in my youth, I lived in Carmel, IN for two years. For all the homespun folksy atmosphere at the Don Thornberry's Steakhouse, I would choose Columbia/Ellicott City over Carmel ten times out of ten.
Chris T. Gaines
9:51 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Really? Big box stores as a plus? And Ellicott City- really? There's nothing there that can't be seen in 5 minutes or less.
At least Bland-air park is aptly named.
Robert Rey
10:09 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tom,
No way is cost of living the same in San Diego or any other Calif. city. Fuel, Homes, Insurance all higher in Calif. I know I lived there. Weather is a matter of taste. Oh yeah, how about fires and earthquakes. Unemployment in Calif. Enough said.