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Best places to live

Best Places to Live: Top 100

For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community.

By Kate Ashford, Andrea Bartz, Jeff Cox, Asa Fitch, Stephen Gandel, Josh Hyatt, Rob Kelley, Kathleen Knight, Joe Light, Ismat Sarah Mangla, Sarah Max, Jennifer Merritt, Brad Nelson, Donna Rosato, Ingrid Tharasook

Town Hall

35 of 100

35. Rocky Hill, Conn.

Population: 19,400
Median home price (2006): $266,013
Average property taxes (2006): $4,437

Rocky Hill's close proximity to Hartford makes it an appealing choice for commuters, but there are also a number of local jobs available at large corporations, such as Paychex. Its location about two hours from New York or Boston makes it possible to visit either for big city attractions. Dinosaur Park draws people from all around. Rocky Hill schools are of high quality - the recent growth in the number of school-aged children has left city officials debating how to best accommodate school expansions. -K.K.

See complete data and interactive map for Rocky Hill
Find homes for sale in Rocky Hill

Nether Providence (Wallingford)

Franklin (Milwaukee County)

Source: OnBoard

Best places to live

Best Places to Live: Full list

Middleton, Wis., is this year's winner. See if your hometown made the cut. (more)

25 top-earning towns

Wondering where the wealth is? Residents of these 25 places have the highest median household incomes in the country. (more)

Where homes are affordable

Residents who buy real estate in these 25 towns see their incomes go the furthest. (more)

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