Money Magazine Ranks Chanhassen As 'Top 10 City'
CHANHASSAN, Minn. (WCCO) - A Twin Cities suburb has bragging rights Monday after being named one of the top cities to live in America.
Chanhassen was ranked 4th by Money Magazine for cities with a population under 50,000.
The city has been in the top 10 before, and ranked as high as number two a few years ago.
Money Magazine looked at stats - including schools, housing, jobs and crime - when ranking the cities.
The city has 34 parks and 90 total miles of trails, including the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Mayor Tom Furlong says parks are a crucial element to his city.
"One of the priorities that our city has had for years is to have a park within a half mile of every home," Furlong said.
While the accolades are nice, cities that rank high shouldn't expect a sudden boom in business or population. Money Magazine ranked Eden Prairie as number one in the nation a couple years ago for cities with a population over 50,000.
According to Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, he reward was a poster.
And while it was hard to tell if the top spot helped the local economy, Tyra-Lukens said she enjoyed the distinction.
"You mention that you're from Eden Prairie. They've heard of it because it was [the] cover of Money Magazine of the year that we were number one," Tyra-Lukens said.
Chanhassen is hoping that same kind of recognition comes with being ranked number four.
"We're proud of the ranking, but we are also humbled," Furlong said. "We're proud to be a part of that and be recognized for that for everybody."
Money Magazine has been around since 1972, and has a total circulation of just fewer than two million.
Chanhassen wasn't the only Minnesota city recognized. Apple Valley came in at number 17, and Savage was 21st place.
