Last year an editorial in this space looked at places identified by Outside and Money magazines as the best places to live.
This summer, the two magazines (with surprisingly similar philosophies on what makes a great place to live) updated their lists. So we take another look at how we stack up.
From the metro cities to the quaint burgs that dominate the “great” lists, every place had a key asset in common: something that made it fun to live there.
Outside looked at big places this year and ranked Colorado Springs #1, based on its variety of activity options. Those range from the nearby Arkansas River to productions at a new $33 million performing arts center.
For Money’s list, still available at CNNMoney.com, Colorado again took top honors. But this list looked at smaller places, and Louisville, CO (population 18,800) took the number one spot. Colorado obviously has an edge over most locales when it comes to natural attractions, but also listed as an enticement to Louisville were regular street fairs and its historic downtown with ice cream shops and burger places.
All the other towns/cities making the list included something akin to a street fair or arts venue type feature.
Among them was Seattle with numerous museums and farmer’s markets and their “aggressively wireless coffee-house culture.”
Chanhassen, Minnesota sports a small population but an astounding 34 parks.
As noted in last year’s survey of the top places, many got lucky while others made their own luck.
It clearly doesn’t hurt to be seaside, and Albuquerque, NM has a headstart on desirability with a tall mountain range visible from town and 38,000 acres in protected wilderness nearby.
On the other hand, Middleton, Wisconsin used their tax base to create both top-notch schools and 1,000 acres of parks and path.
Frankly, Pickens County wouldn’t make a list of great places to live. In most categories, we miss the bull’s eye, but we do get close enough to score some points.
Some would dispute the notion, but on a national scale we’re not a community blessed with an exceptional natural attraction. Our mountains are nice, but so are the rest of North Georgia’s. The same kind of backdrop frames lots of communities along the Appalachian Mountain chain. There is no public access to a lake or river in Pickens County, and we have very little protected greenspace. We’re definitely well above average with our scenic views, but not so endowed that way that our “First Mountain City” motto could alone make this community prosper.
On things we have created ourselves, Pickens is at the top as a safe community. The crime rate is low. And schools here are above average compared to similar counties.
But as noted in last year’s review, when you look at the national ranking of Georgia schools, our standing there plummets. Unfair? Probably for Pickens, but it’s definitely something companies look at when relocating.
For “Small town feel,” Pickens scores near the top again. Our Main Street Manias, July 4th celebrations, and Christmas parades are not things to be overlooked when judging quality of life here.
Last year, we stamped a mediocre status on downtown Jasper. This year, we’ll raise it half a notch for more activity now available in the evenings. Streets are nice with wide sidewalks. Restaurants (Woodbridge, Crust and 61 Main) offer good dining and entertainment. Jasper won’t pass for a shopping or nightlife destination, but there are places to go now. And the monument and water park add a semblance of the arts to downtown.
Speaking of which, Pickens does not capitalize enough on the arts. From local theatre (The Tater Patch Players) to the Sharptop Arts Center, this county has a solid array of performing and visual artists and enthusiasts. We may not be able to spend the $33 million Colorado Springs lavished on an arts center, but surely we could fund something similar to #3 on Money’s list. That’s Papillion, Nebraska, a town that invested $1.5 million in its performing arts center.
On the downside, parks here are sadly lacking. We need a new recreational complex. City parks in Jasper and Talking Rock take up some slack, but overall we score an F in this category.
Our other low mark is for economic base. As the chair of Jasper’s Downtown Development Authority once lamented, if you don’t own a business here, chances are you’ll have to move after high school to find a career.
All told, Pickens isn’t quite ready for a great places list, but we should certainly rank well on a darn good places to live list.
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