Naperville again named one of 'Best Places to Live' by Money magazine

Lakes and mountains trump prairie in Money magazine's latest ranking of its "Best Places to Live."

The magazine released its annual list Monday with Naperville coming in third behind Plymouth, Minn. in the top spot, and Fort Collins, Colo., in second. Two years ago, Fort Collins beat out Naperville. Plymouth wasn't listed in that year's rankings.

"Number three in the nation, that's pretty good," said Naperville Mayor George Pradel. "We're still behind Fort Collins, and one of the hurdles is they have a mountain to look at, and it's pretty hard to move a mountain."

Last year, the list comprised small American towns with populations of less than 50,000. This year's list was similar to the 2006 rankings, when the magazine chose "America's best small cities," with populations between 50,000 and 250,000.

Plymouth was chosen mainly because of its many outdoor attractions, according to the magazine's Web site. All the cities were judged on criteria such as housing costs, taxes, job growth, community amenities, schools and other features.

Illinois fared well, placing four other cities in the top 100. Some states had no cities on the list.

Three of the other cities on the list share a border with Naperville.

Bolingbrook came in at No. 32, and Wheaton was ranked No. 54. It is the first time Money has ranked either city on any list of top places to live since the rankings began decades ago. Aurora was ranked No. 74, which is a drop from its No. 55 ranking in 2006. Orland Park also fell from No. 45 in 2006 to No. 92 in this list.

"I thought we should have been 53 slots higher," said Wheaton City Manager Don Rose. "It's a great recognition, but I've always wondered about some of these surveys. How do you go from not being on the list to first place?"

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar said he was "surprised and thrilled" when magazine officials called to tell him the city would be making the list this year.

"It's a tremendous honor, and we're going to try for a higher number," he said. "I was going to do that anyway. I never let up."

Pradel said he was equally excited about some of the neighboring towns that fared well.

"It just goes to show we're in the midst of what's happening," he said. "I want to be a cheerleader for all of them."

The mayor said his city's quality of life makes it an easy pick for the list.

"We've got a booming downtown and a safe community with the best schools," he said. "It's just a great place to live and it's always nice when others see that too."