Outside Magazine has come up with their "Best Towns" list for 2007.  According to them, these are the best places to live:

Santa Cruz, California
Jackson, Wyoming
Iowa City, Iowa
Bend, Oregon
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Duluth, Minnesota
Asheville, North Carolina
Portland, Maine
Burlington, Vermont

Not so sure about Santa Cruz.  I thought it overcrowded and a little dirty myself, though I know some people really love it.  And, I really wanted to like it.   

However, I do agree about Asheville, North Carolina. 

Asheville's become a really hip place to live and visit, and Outside Magazine points out, the median home price is only $218,000.  You gotta love that.

While it's been many, many years since I visited Asheville (went to college nearby), I certainly love the area, which is surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, which means if you're into hiking or mountain biking, Asheville's the place to visit. 

Of course, if you're into having your Starbucks every morning, you'll be a little disappointed, as they point out there's not one single Starbucks in downtown Asheville.  But, is that really so bad? 

Oh, and if you love art deco, then you'll be in heaven in Asheville, which has the most art deco architecture of any southeastern city outside of Miami Beach.