Ranked as the No. 1 Best Small City in the United States by CNNMoney.com in 2010, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a family-friendly community that boasts of a low unemployment rate. The major companies in this town of 64,000 are C.H. Robinson, Starkey Labs and the Minnesota Vikings. The town has 17 lakes where residents swim and ice skate, and has numerous parks for hiking and running. Eden Prairie has eight public schools, one charter school and several technical colleges.
Less than an hour from downtown Boston, Newton, Massachusetts, is a mid-sized town ranked as one of the safest cities in the U.S. by City Crime Rankings. Most of the city's 13 villages have bustling shopping areas, playgrounds and quaint restaurants. A large portion of Newton's employment comes from nearby hospitals and the greater Boston area. The schools are plentiful and diverse. A number of preschools, middle schools and high schools are in the area. Boston College has two campuses in Newton as well. As of 2006, the population was 91,309.
With the largest urban area in New Zealand, Auckland offers its 1.4 million residents a diverse population, temperate climate and a fourth place world ranking by Mercer Quality of Living. Auckland has many volcanic parks and nature preserves, as well as a dynamic music and arts culture. As the economic capital of New Zealand, the city employs a booming technical and business work force. Auckland has some of the largest colleges in the country that serve as centers for international students, and more than 50 public schools in the area have been certified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Voted as the 2010 World's Best Place to Live by CNBC.com, Vancouver, Canada, is clean, safe and has a generous health care system. Many residents find employment in the timber industry as well as companies that produce software and biotechnology. The Hollywood film industry brought many productions here, giving jobs to locals who work in casting, production and editing. Vancouver is home to more than 100 public schools and two major universities, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. As of the 2006 Census, the population was 578,041.
