Well - Lancaster didn't make the cut.
Low cost of living, reasonably priced homes, and short commute times helps add to excellent schools and is what landed 10 communities at the top of Forbes magazine's best places to raise a family.
To be considered, the communities had to have populations greater than 65,000 and most of the school funding had to come from property taxes. Average SAT and ACT scores must top 1,050 or 22, respectively. These factors reduced the number of counties under consideration to 51.
After that, the magazine considered cost of living, graduation rate, home prices, property tax rates as a percentage of median home prices, percentage of homes occupied by owners, per-capita income, air quality, crime rate and commute times.
Here are the results:
* Hamilton County, Ind. (near Indianapolis)
* Ozaukee County, Wis. (near Milwaukee)
* Johnson County, Kan. (near Kansas City)
* Geauga County, Ohio (near Cleveland)
* Delaware County, Ohio (near Columbus)
* Morris County, N.J. (northern N.J.)
* Hunterdon County, N.J. (central N.J.)
* Waukesha County, Wis. (near Milwaukee)
* Montgomery County, Pa. (near Philadelphia)
* Chester County, Pa. (near Philadelphia)
Source: Forbes, Zack O'Malley Greenburg (06/30/08)
Now as far I'm concerned, Lancaster is just as good or better than either Chester or Montgomery County. If you want higher taxes and home prices then those places may work well. I'll take the quiet of Lancaster County any day!
Jeff- Sometimes I just don't get these lists!
Jeff - Like Katerina, I'm not sure I get these lists either. At least Pennsylvania was in there twice, though. From what I know, your thoughts on Lancaster are probably very right.
Hi Jeff, An interesting Post and Forbes left out your area. What do they know?,lol One opinion does make it stamped in concrete even if Forbes is fantastic for so much wonderful information. I am a bit surprised that Luzerne or Bucks counties were not included anyway. One thing certain, most of PA is a great place to raise a family.
Katerina - it's a great way to sell magazines
Jason - True, PA made it into 2 of the top ten in the US - that's pretty good.
William - Hey! One person's opinion is another person's...oh well, you're probably right about Bucks County too.
Hi,
I think these are good points which are to be considered when taking in count the most important and the beneficail communities to live. I have got site here about the real estate in the Brazil, check it here property in Brazil
when to college in Lancaster, Franklin & Marshall. Graduated 1992. What a great place to live. hope business is great for you