Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Four local communities made the top 20 list of best small cities to live across the country.
Money Magazine based its rankings on the cost of housing, family income and overall quality of life.
Carmel, Ind. came out on top. But Reston in Fairfax County checked in at No. 7.
“It’s a very environmentally sensitive community and it’s a very financially viable community,” says Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, who represents Reston. She also serves as the chairwoman of the board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Reston was cited as having an urban looking downtown, 55 miles of bike paths, its closeness to the region’s technology hub and the impending completion of the Silver Line.
“We’re all waiting for the Silver Line,” says Hudgins. “It’s everything we’ve been trying to do here.”
Nearby Centreville, also in Fairfax County, made the list at No. 17.
Other local communities on the list include Columbia/Ellicot City in Howard County, Md., at No. 8. The magazine described the community as having a “charming” historic downtown and pointed to plenty of restaurants.
Waldorf in Charles County, Md. came in at No. 20 for housing costs, along with its closeness to D.C. and plenty of shopping.
Other local communities made separate lists for the best in housing, family incomes or quality of life. Dale City in Prince William County, for example, was 20th on the housing list because its affordable homes.
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
