Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Fortune names Alabaster one of the best cities in the U.S. to live for families
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The town of Alabaster has been named one of the top 50 Best Cities to Live for Families in the U.S. by Fortune Magazine.
Read on to learn why this fast-growing community 25 miles south of Birmingham was the only Alabama city that made the national publication’s list.
Fortune’s third annual Best Cities for Families list
For the third consecutive year, Fortune has evaluated more than 2000 cities across America in its quest to compile for its readers the best places to raise a family.
They used the following metrics to create their list:
- Education
- General Wellness
- Financial Health
- Liveability
- Resources for aging adults
According to Fortune, Alabaster, which ranked 34th on the list, stood out because of its affordability, safety and good school system.
The nearly century-old publication also recognized the community’s proximity to natural areas and green spaces such as Oak Mountain State Park and the Cahaba River.
Who else finished in Fortune’s top 50? Cities big and small:
- Franklin, Tennessee
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Morristown, New Jersey
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Olive Branch, Mississippi
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alabaster is on a roll
Even though it is not mentioned in the feature story about Alabaster, the town of nearly 35,000 is on a roll economically. This past spring the city approved a $242 million development which will bring 75 new businesses. The unemployment level is also less than 2%.
Did Fortune get it right by choosing Alabaster? What other towns in the Birmingham metro deserved to make their list?
Tell us what you think on social media by tagging us in the comments at @bhamnow!
