Louisville tops list of Best Places to Live

Colorado seems to have representation on every “best of” list out there, so it’s no surprise that yet another Colorado community heads up Money magazine’s latest Best Places to Live ranking of America’s small towns.

With a population of 18,800 people, a strong economy and plenty of outdoor activities, Money ranked Louisville as the best place to live for 2009. Ranked 13th, another Boulder County community – Superior – was the only other Colorado town to appear on the list.

Money’s findings were based on measuring and weighting factors Americans value most, including jobs and a strong economy, low crime, affordable homes, activities, schools, health care, diversity, weather and more. In addition to those factors, Money looked for that something special, such as community spirit, positive attitudes and old-fashioned charm, that makes a town the place to raise a family.

The magazine highlighted Louisville’s ice cream shops and Waterloo Café; its summer-long Friday-night street fair, complete with a beer garden, live music, and games for the kids, that runs all summer; a low unemployment rate, thanks to “robust” industries including high-tech, energy and health-care; high-rated schools; and plenty to do outdoors, such as nearly 30 miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park that is less than an hour away and world-class ski resorts within a two-hour drive. Those factors, along with great weather, little crime rate, good health care and low taxes make Louisville the town to beat.

Money reported that, with Denver, Boulder, and Eldora Mountain Ski Resort each less than an hour away, Superior’s name reflects its location, as well. Its 27 miles of trails, 594 acres of parks and open space, and nearby employers including University of Colorado, Sun Microsystems, IBM and Ball Aerospace, make Superior an ideal town to live in, as well.

Here’s a look at the small towns that made Money’s top 10 Best Places to Live 2009:

Louisville's Downtown Boom

Louisville's appeal
Louisville is drawing people with the appeal of its "downtown" lifestyle and the upcoming FasTrack stop, providing transportation north to Longmont, south to Denver and west to Boulder. RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors watch the market closely. Most recently, buyers have purchased small, older buildings in the downtown area to renovate or raze and rebuild with quality, high-end homes. The city is restricting this activity on some historic buildings but growth and change are still occurring. The market has been very active and growing for the past six months with 20 percent to 30 percent of the homes offered for sale under contract. Homes available in Louisville are in all price ranges and types to fit the economics and family dynamic of a varied group of people.

Louisville has a great sense of commuinty. If you already live in Louisville or are interested in making your home there, check out the city’s website which provides a calendar of events from meetings to area revitalization discussions to social activities. Or, better yet, stop by the Downtown Street Faire on a Friday night to see the art work and listen to the music - you just might run into a RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. Realtor!

By RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc.