CNNMoney recently released its Best Places To Live 2011 list.

The annual survey is based on data from Onboard Informatics. Using Quality of Life factors such as education, crime and “town spirit”, and focusing on towns with between 8,500 and 50,000 residents, the CNNMoney survey ranks the country’s best “small towns”.

To be eligible, towns must be have a median household income greater than 85 percent, and less than 200 percent of the state median income; must not be a categorized as a “retirement community”; and must be racially-diverse.

From a list of 3,570 eligible towns nationwide, Louisville, Colorado was ranked #1.

The complete Top 10 Best Places to Live as cited by CNNMoney, and their respective average home listing prices :

1. Louisville, Colorado ($383,569)
2. Milton, Massachusetts ($577,008)
3. Solon, Ohio ($291,162)
4. Leesburg, Virginia ($486,018)
5. Papillion, Nebraska ($218,520)
6. Hanover, New Hampshire ($643,500)
7. Liberty, Missouri ($177,678)
8. Middleton, Wisconsin ($347,770)
9. Mukilteo, Washington ($345,487)
10. Chanhassen, Minnesota ($418,607)

Rankings like these can be helpful to home buyers nationwide, but it’s important to remember that the Best Place To Live survey is subjective. You may find none of the above towns to be to your liking.

You may also find the lowest-ranked city to be your favorite.

In other words, before making a decision to buy, connect with a real estate agent who has local market knowledge. That’s the best, most reliable way to make sure you get the housing data that matters to you.

Louisville ranked #1 for its low crime rate, availablility of diverse jobs, abundance of outdoor activities, low sales tax (2.9%) and steady real estate market. Colorado Springs was not included in this study, as it is not considered a “small town”, but Black Forest (an area within Colorado Springs and Monument) was included and made #66!

But even given the size difference, how does Colorado Springs compare with the #1 city, Louisville?

• Colorado Springs actually has a higher job growth, at 9.6%, compared to Louisville at 3.7%.
• The median home sales price in the Colorado Springs real estate market is $179,500, compared to Louisville’s at $342,000.
• Colorado Springs median income is about $30k less than Louisville’s.
• Colorado Springs has a higher crime rate but also has a higher air quality.
• Colorado Springs and Louisville get to enjoy the same awesome Colorado weather and low sales tax.

For more information on living in Colorado Springs,
please contact the Wagner iTeam: (719) 434-8346

• Colorado College – Downtown Colorado Springs
  This is a private liberal arts college that has been around since before Colorado even became a state.
• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs [UCCS] – Northeast Colorado Springs
  This is one of 3 University of Colorado schools, with the other two in Boulder and Denver.
• University of the Rockies – Downtown Colorado Springs
  Accredited university offering Masters and Doctorate programs
• Pikes Peak Community College – Multiple locations
  Largest community college in the area, founded in 1968, with campuses in South Colorado Springs (near Ft. Carson), Downtown and North Colorado Springs (off Interquest Parkway).
• Everest College – Southeast Colorado Springs
  Business, medical and legal tech college located off Jetwing Drive.
• Regis University – North Colorado Springs
  University offering Masters and Bachelors degrees in computer information, humanities, education, management and counseling.

For information on how to buy a house in Colorado Springs while being a student, please contact the Wagner iTeam 719.434.7525

I’m a huge Zac Brown Band fan. And I love Jimmy Buffett. This is such a fantastic song, I just had to share. Even though it is about the beach, it reminded me how much I love living in Colorado Springs. Here are some great things to do this summer, if Colorado Springs is YOUR paradise!

America the Beautiful Park- Downtown
Tons of green grass, playground and a wonderful water fountain/structure.

Garden of the Gods – Westside
Breath-taking architecture from Mother Nature, walking/biking paths and rock climbing opportunities.

Manitou Springs (just west of Colorado Springs)
Walk through the historic neighborhoods with streets lined with character-filled homes, spend time in the historic arcade (play the horse races – my favorite) and visit the many natural mineral springs all over the city.

Fox Run Park – North Colorado Springs/Black Forest
Playgrounds, grassy fields, treed trails for horse riding, walking or biking, 2 ponds and a gazebo – Perfect place for a family get together or a picnic!

Uncle Wilbur Fountain | Acacia Park – Downtown
We love to grab a sub from Subway and walk across the street to play in Uncle Wilburs fountain. Watch the excitement here!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Southwest
Nested in the side of Cheyenne Mountain, you will love all the happy animals. Feed the giraffes!

Factors that contributed to this ranking included how our job industry promoted growth.

Here are the Top 10 cities:

1. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
3. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.
9. Springfield, Mo.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (09/13/2010)

Traditional Irish Sessions
Almost every Sunday, from 3-6pm
Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub
21 S. Tejon – Downtown Colorado Springs

The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Saturday, September 11 6:15p to 9:30p
Embassy Suites
7290 Commerce Center Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 45066
(719) 599-9100

Stockers Cruise Nights and Car Show
Saturday, September 18 1:00p to 5:00p
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
1805 N. 30th St.,Colorado Springs, CO 80904
(719) 219-0108

Colorado Springs Fall Home Show
Saturday, September 18 10:00a to 8:00p
Phil Long Expo Center
1515 Auto Mall Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
(888) 753-9762

For more information on things to do in Colorado Springs this Fall, please visit ColoradoSprings.com

For more information on buying or selling a home in Colorado Springs, please contact the Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Hope Realty 719.434.8346 or email team@wagneriteam.com .