How the Best Places Search Tool Works

Reader Comments
Back to article

Wow ,being an African American /Native American Indian,I now live in an all white community ravished by Meth. and crime due to drug use.It is not the shade of a person but their character.I now have my home on the market due to the crime rate going up.Its not just a black thing ,its a human thing.Until you have walked in others shoes ,don't be so quick to judge them.For the man with an Asian wife ,their are so many stereo types of all cultures.You don't want to know what yours are! Until you get over your fears and be around (living) with other cultures ,You are not as diversed as you think.Some people don't want to live around your culture for various reasons,they are just as ignorant as you.

R.O of KY 12:51PM October 22, 2012

important for excellent health care and hospital.

kaysfan45 of TN 8:48PM September 05, 2010

My wife is an Asian-American (born and raised in India) and I'm a white American born & raised in the USA. Our children's skin color, features, culinary tastes, travel experiences, etc. all reflect this combination. Their genes comes from at least five different ethnic groups/countries, namely India and four countries in central, southern, and eastern Europe. So we're well aware of the potential benefits of racial and cultural diversity -- our very relationship and family! ...................... But "Ella of DC" and other PC folks shouldn't get away with pretending that "diversity" is always and everywhere a net positive. It definitely is not. Not for us, and not for most others who actually have a choice about where to live, in retirement and otherwise................................ It is a fact, borne out by decades of statistics from neutral non-political sources, that "African-Americans" commit far more violent crime than people of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. We can argue forever about the causes of this disparity, and the possible solutions for it, but a huge persistent disparity is undeniable. Would it help us, therefore, to live in a neighborhood with a "diverse" population, if "diversity" means more African-Americans and everything that tends to come with it? Hell no................ Now let the hysterical cries of "racist" and "bigot" begin, that's the price we pay in today's timid society for speaking honestly about race and behavior that is highly correlated with race.................. By the way, how many of you sanctimonious, pro-"diversity" folks out there earn the resources to live somewhere decent and still choose to live long-term in an African-American neighborhood while raising children? Very few..................... So, Ella in DC, we'd like racial composition data to be part of the search function too. We'd actively seek out a neighborhood and region with a heavily white and asian population and very few others. Our "right to choose", isn't it?

J of MI 12:13PM August 13, 2010

This tool should allow us to specify the maximum average (or top-bracket) income-tax rate we will tolerate. Same for sales tax. If taxes don't matter much to others, that's great; everyone has his own values, priorities, and preferences. To us, taxes matter quite a bit. Without needing to be in a particualr State for job purposes, we place a high priority on living somewhere where we are "allowed" to keep the maximum possible percentage of our earnings (i.e., interest and dividends on our past earnings which we had the discipline and foresight to SAVE instead of spending).

John & Regina of MI 12:03PM August 13, 2010

Frankly, I can't use this search tool at all because it's missing one very important factor: diversity. I base my search on whether our inter-racial, multi-cultural family will be comfortable in a particular city. Sure, the midwest offers affordable living in abundance, but would we be comfortable in such a demographically homogenous environment? More food for thought: it has been our experience that, in homogenous populations, there are fewer opportunities for minorities. That lack of opportunity has a direct (negative) impact on our standard of living. Since so many of our lives are affected by diversity (or lack thereof), why wouldn't US News & World Report think to include it as a search option?

Ella of DC 2:37PM July 01, 2010

I live in a wonderful place, spectacular scenery all around (1 mile away from my place), high general standards mean it is good for raising families, cultural and arts events are first rate, nearby educational institutions are excellent for students and in research, cold enough in the winter to kill the bugs, dry enough in the summer to make the high temperatures easily bearable. Great outdoor activities summer and winter. Governing Magazine calls it one of the best governed states in the US. I'll let you find it.

Neil 1:05AM August 22, 2009

I work in Durham but would never ever think of living here. Many people who work at the Duke University or for the health system do not live in the city either. I think that you confused Durham with surrounding Raleigh and Chapel Hill that get lumped together. Crime is a huge issue in Durham. Great baseball team (Bulls), University and hospital but you pull those out of Durham and you are left with nothing.

Shocked in Durham of NC 11:09AM June 15, 2009

I just want to say La Crosse has more to offer then just fishing and camping. There are great schools, great hospitals (one part of the Mayo Health System), great family fun as well as arts and music. Before you pass La Crosse up as just a small town with beautiful scenery and cold winters do a little more checking and you will discover the richness it holds.

Holly of WI 9:46AM June 13, 2009

If you plan to live anywhere in Wisconsin you better consider the tax liability. Wisconsin property taxes are among the highest in the country. Add income taxes and a multitude of other "fees" on services and you may want to look elsewhere. Check out the dysfunctional state legislature and you will find a very undesirable, albeit aesthetic natural surrounding, and things don't look that peachy. But everyone has their "special" place. Just be sure to research your choices thoroughly.

Bill of AZ 10:37AM June 12, 2009

I live in Durham and I think it's a place on the rise. I agree that there is too much racial politics, but culturally there's a wonderful new cultural arts center bringing top notch talent and shows. The schools are improving and I'm very happy with Rogers/Herr MS for my child. It's ranked very high statewide. I haven't seen a drop in housing prices like in other areas. You can't beat the health care in the area. We have a new police chief who seems to be doing a good job since I've seen a drop in crime reporting. Being next to Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill and Raleigh without having to pay as much for your home makes it ideally situated for the future. Can't speak to the singles scene as I'm married, but being involved with church or clubs is the best way to meet people and these are abundant in Durham.

Jeanie of NC of NC 10:47AM June 11, 2009