On September 22, 2020, Money Magazine released its 50 Best Places to live in the U.S. Our very own Mount Laurel was ranked #16 in the U.S. and #1 in New Jersey. This proves what we all know - that Mount Laurel is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Money magazine cited our family-centered events such as the Summer Concert Series and our proximity to Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. It also cited the availability of housing and a reasonable median home price of $214,000 – described as a “steal given its location.” In contrast, “real estate in nearby Cherry Hill can go for almost $50,000 more.” Local employers such as Concentra, Aveanna Healthcare, Bayada Pediatrics, and Lockheed Martin were said to further our town’s desirability.
Money Magazine prepared its rankings by considering cities and towns with a population of at least 25,000. Only towns with a crime risk less than double the national crime risk, a median income higher than 85% of its state’s median, and with ethnic diversity were considered. These initial parameters yielded 1,890 locations for consideration. The remaining locations were reviewed in the following categories:
• Economy & Income: local industry diversity, local employment opportunity and household debt, among other factors.
• Housing Market: based on measures of housing affordability, supply and demand and problems such as overcrowding or overspending.
• Cost of Living: based on tax rates, insurance costs, and cost of owning a house.
• Diversity: based on racial makeup, number of income brackets and the level of integration.
• Education: based on local math and reading scores as well as high school graduation rates.
• Health & Safety: based on property and violent crime risk, rate of unnatural deaths such as drug overdose, life expectancy, access to physical activity.
• Health & Safety Amenities: based on health care providers and facilities, fire and police departments, and exercise facilities within the town’s boundaries.
• Entertainment Amenities: based on facilities for entertainment and leisure including bars, restaurants, museums, green spaces, and concert venues.
• Weather and Lifestyle: based on weather and environmental advantages such as air quality, number of superfunds, and access to local parks.
“Mount Laurel checks off all of these boxes. We are very fortunate to live in Mount Laurel and the Money Magazine ranking affirms the choice we all made to reside here”, Mayor Irwin Edelson stated.
Councilman Kurt Folcher said “Mount Laurel is an awesome place to live, now the secret is out, we are the best in NJ and in the top 20 nationally. It is great recognition for Town Council, our dedicated municipal employees and most importantly all of our residents that make our town such a diverse and flourishing community.”
For the Money Magazine article, go to https://money.com/collection/best-places-to-live-2020/5699453/mount-laurel-new-jersey/.
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