[Brandon Martus]

In the weekly newsletter from the city I live in (Sterling Heights, MI):

Sterling Heights named among best places to live in the nation

Sterling Heights is among the best cities in the nation in which to call home, according to Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to Live for 2006. The study examined 670 cities nationwide with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.

At 37 out of the top 100, Sterling Heights was the third highest ranked Michigan city among the five communities from the state to make Money Magazine's list.

The annual list is based on comparisons to national averages in areas such as housing prices, availability of cultural and leisure activities, job opportunities, crime rates, commute times, education levels, access to health care, air quality, and income levels.

Housing in Sterling Heights, for example, is more affordable than housing markets nationwide, with median home prices in the $186,000 range, compared to $259,000 nationally, according to Money Magazine. The study also said the risk of personal and property crime in Sterling Heights is lower than the average cited in the top 100 list, while the city scored much higher than most cities in terms of culture and leisure activities offered to residents in the form of movie theaters, restaurants, public golf courses, libraries, and sporting venues.

Finally, the median family income in Sterling Heights is $78,947, more than $2,000 higher than the national average, while residents in Sterling Heights have access to 13 colleges, universities, or professional colleges, compared to the national average of just eight.

Mayor Richard J. Notte said the study is reflective of Sterling Heights' efforts to establish itself as a clean, safe, livable community worthy of being called home by first time buyers, empty nesters, single folks, families, and retirees.

"It's always nice to see Sterling Heights recognized," Notte said. "We've dedicated ourselves for years now to making this city the kind of community that offers something for everyone, and studies like the one by Money Magazine prove that we have achieved that goal."

A similar study by Money Magazine recently revealed that Sterling Heights is one of the nation's fastest growing large cities, with a population now estimated at 128,000. For more information, contact Community Relations at (586) 446-CITY (2489).