Moneymagazine announced its 2016 "Best Places to Live" list, and itincludes a Maryland communityat the very top spot. After analyzing 823 towns, <em>Money</em>chose Columbia as the number one best place to call home, citing diversity and nearby access to Baltimore and Washington D.C. as key factors that make it a great town.
"Columbia is a magnet in the Baltimore–Washington corridor, attracting families in search of good schools and businesses hungry for educated employees," the article stated.
Taxes, home values, incomes,education and healthcare were alsofactors thatMoneyused in determining the list. Learn more about the methodology here.
Snapshot of Columbia
Population: 102,22
Median Home Price: $310,000
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Diversity: 55% white, 25% black, 12% Asian, and 8% Latino
Average Commute: 29 minutes
Top 5% for job growth among the towns thatMoneyanalyzed
Columbia, which will celebrate its 50th year in 2017, is going through a period of growth. This growth includesthe creation of 4.3 million square feet of office space, 1.2 million square feet of retail, and 5,500 residential units,Money reported. Additionally, the town is hoping to create a more walkable and bikeable core.
"The quality of life here is already amazing," Greg Fitchitt, VP for development at Howard Hughes Corp, which is overseeing the development told Money."We're trying to create a 21st-century urban village."
