A team of seven CNN Money reporters spent months analyzing data from OnBoard Informatics and other sources to identify small towns with populations of 50,000 or less that had the best combination of:
- job opportunities
- fiscal strength
- top-notch schools
- safe streets
- good health care
- cultural and outdoor activities
- good weather
Which cities or town in Wisconsin were ranked in the top 100? (Whole CNN article available here)
#8 Middleton, WI, population 17,400. Middleton is located in Dane County just 10 minutes from downtown Madison and is known as the “Good Neighbor City“. Middleton has an historic downtown, award winning community trail system, is home to Capital Brewery and unique attractions such as the National Mustard museum. There are currently more than 170 homes for sale in Middleton and almost 90 condos. Middleton is located on Lake Mendota.
#65 Whitefish Bay, WI, population 14,000. Whitefish Bay is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee County just minutes from downtown Milwaukee and all it’s cultural offerings and lakefront activities and nightlife. Currently there are almost 160 homes for sale in Whitefish Bay, WI and just 5 condominiums. Whitefish Bay is just 2.4 square miles in size
#71 Germantown, WI, population 20,600 is located in southern Washington County. Germantown offers a rural feel with convenient shopping, several golf courses and an easy commute to downtown Milwaukee. About 200 homes are up for sale in Germantown and so are over 100 condos.
# 94 Franklin, WI, population 37,000. Franklin is a growing community in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor offering numerous community events such as St. Martin’s Fair and Concerts in the Park. Plentiful shopping is nearby. Almost 200 homes are for sale in Franklin along with almost 150 condos – all in a wide variety of price ranges.
#99 Oregon, WI, population 9200. Oregon, WI is in South Central Wisconsin just a short drive to Madison, Wisconsin’s capital city. Oregon has a budding downtown business district and numerous buidlings on the National Registry of Historic Places. There are almost 140 houses for sale in Oregon, WI anywhere from under $100,000 to over $800,000. 35 condos are also currently for sale in Oregon, WI.
To search for homes for sale in Middleton, Whitefish Bay, Germantown, Franklin, Oregon or just about any other place in Wisconsin, please search firstweber.com for detailed information and numerous photos from all participating brokers throughout 5 Multiple Listing Services, not just First Weber listed properties. When you are in the market for a new home, make sure the Wisconsin real estate website you are using allows you to access all listings, not just those of the listing company. Contact First Weber Group for more information on the listings or contact First Weber’s Relocation Department if you are moving to Wisconsin and need an area tour, a Relocation packet or need to meet with a Relocation specialist in Wisconsin.
Thank you for reading the First Weber Wisconsin real estate & Wisconsin living blog for information on Wisconsin properties that made CNN Money’s list of the top 100 small towns in which to live, 2011: Middleton, Whitefish Bay, Germantown, Franklin and Oregon, WI.
photo credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/microcline/244194818/