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U.S. News & World Report magazine has named La Crosse one of the nation’s 10 Best Places to Live, ranking with Albuquerque, N.M., Austin, Texas, and St. Augustine, Fla.
“This is huge. To get on U.S. News’ list is an outstanding honor,” City Planner Larry Kirch said. “This confirms everything that community and business leaders have been working on for the past 10 to 15 years.”
Magazine staff said its first annual listing of Best Places to Live was compiled by its editors, who chose from 2,000 locations nationwide. The cities are featured in the magazine’s July issue; the article also is available online.
Factors included an area’s economy, cost of living, population, crime rate, and access to educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.
Each of the 10 Best Places offer strong economies, low living costs and ample, affordable recreational activities, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The story describes La Crosse as “a great staging ground for exploring the natural wonders of the upper Mississippi River,” with an “active outdoor culture” that includes camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and skiing. With a 2008 median home sale price of $113,000, it’s also an affordable destination, the story said.
“That’s all true,” said James Hill, executive director of the La Crosse Area Development Corp. Hill said LADCO will use the magazine listing to help market the La Crosse area.
“It makes a heck of a difference being able to cite others who make positive statements about your area,” Hill said. It’s especially nice, he added, “when it’s a respected third party like U.S. News & World Report.”
The 10 cities on the list are, in alphabetical order: Albuquerque; Auburn, Ala.; Austin; Boise, Idaho; Durham, N.C.; La Crosse; Loveland, Colo.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; St. Augustine; and Upper St. Clair, Pa., southwest of Pittsburgh.
