HomeFinder.com Opening Doors Blog

From affordable housing to low crime rates, great job diversity and the best schools in the nation, CNNMoney.com recently ranked the top 100 small cities to live in 2008. You won’t be finding big name metropolises like New York and Chicago on this best-of list. The news site analyzed the nation’s cities with populations of 50,000 to 300,000 for their report.

Here was CNNMoney.com’s top 5 picks:

This 5-bed, 2-bath Plymouth, MN, home boasts a heated swimming pool and a lush landscaped backyard. The home is listed for $399,900.

1. Plymouth, MN:
• Population: 70,000
• Pros: Top three school districts in the state
• Miles from Minneapolis: 10 miles
• Median home price: $350,000 for typical 3-bed, 2-bath home

View Plymouth, MN homes for sale

This gorgeous 3-bed, 3-bath new construction home in Fort Collins, CO, is listed at $380,500.

2. Fort Collins, Co:
• Population: 129,400
• Pros: Major employers include Agilent Technologies, Hewlett Packard and Kodak.
• Miles from Denver: 59
• Median home price: $380,000 for new construction 3-bed, 3-bath home

View Fort Collins, CO, homes for sale

This 4-bed, 3-bath Colonial-style home in Naperville, IL, features an inviting porch and plenty of yard space for a growing family. The home is listed for $394,900.

3. Naperville, IL:
• Population: 142,900
• Pros: 18.8 percent job growth since 2000
• Miles from Chicago: 26
• Median home price: $380,000 for typical 3-bed, 2-bath home

View Naperville, IL, homes for sale

This 3-bed, 3-bath Irvine, CA, home features a luxurious master suite and amazing outdoor entertaining area equipped with a hot tube. The home is listed for $690,000.

4. Irvine, CA:

• Population: 194,000
• Pros: The city’s school district has won national recognition.
• Miles from Los Angeles: 36
• Median home price: $700,000 for typical 3-bed, 3-bath home (one of the area’s few drawbacks)

View Irvine, CA, homes for sale

This 3-bed, 3-bath home in Franklin Township, NJ, is listed at $314,900.

5. Franklin Township, N.J.:

• Population: 59,200
• Pros: Large pool of high-tech, pharmaceutical, research and development firms in the area
• Miles from New York City: 33
• Median home price: $385,000 for typical home

View Franklin Township, N.J., homes for sale

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com