Money Magazine's Top Places to Live

I feel that Money Magaizine missed the boat, leaving Rogers City off the list.  I know, I'm biased. 

In fairness, it is not suprising since all of the places listed are  much larger communities.  Rogers City is a special place--a "small" city with under 3,000 year-round residents on beautiful Lake Huron.  We may be "off the radar" for Money Magazine and many others, but many people do love this community.  Rogers City is a fantastic place to live.

Of equal importance, Rogers City continues working to improve.  Visit and find out for yourself. 

Here is the report from MEDC on the Money Magazine article: 

Five Michigan towns named Money Magazine’s best places to live

Troy, West Bloomfield Township, Shelby Township, Macomb Township and Ann Arbor are among the top 100 small cities in America according to Money Magazine’s list of best places to live.

“This special recognition is a testament to the excellent leadership and vision of the elected officials, businesses and residents in each of these towns,” Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney said. “We are working with our partners in every region of the state to help create vibrant communities where businesses, workers, families and visitors can all share in a strong sense of place.”

As Melissa Anders of MLive noted, Michigan was one of seven states with five towns on the list. No other state had more. Troy was ranked 26, West Bloomfield Township 37, Shelby Township 78, Macomb Township 84, and Ann Arbor 100.

According to the magazine:

Troy – Like many places near Detroit, Troy suffered during the recession, but good times seem to be back. Auto companies' profits are rising and formerly vacant office space in Troy is filling up. Housing in the area is a bargain: The median home price is just $166,000, and property taxes are ultralow. That's a pretty good deal for a city that's been rated the safest in Michigan for 10 of the past 14 years, has great schools and the best community sports program in the state. Photo courtesy of Troy.

West Bloomfield Twp. – Long a popular choice for those who work in the Detroit area, West Bloomfield boasts affordable housing (the average house costs just under $200,000), good schools, and sterling health care thanks to the high-end Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. The city's downtown area is small but chic, with many luxury boutiques and restaurants. Those in search of more vibrant nightlife hop over to nearby Royal Oak or make the slightly longer drive to Detroit. Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills Country Club.

Shelby Twp. – Shelby is 45 minutes from Detroit but feels worlds away. The community has a rural feel, with open spaces, well-rated schools, safe streets, and bucolic parks. At 9.8%, however, the area unemployment rate is higher than the average. In June there was a major fire in the small downtown, which destroyed three historic buildings and several local businesses. Photo courtesy of Eric Rard/Shelby TV.

Macomb Twp. – Macomb locals can boast of their town's fiscal strength: With more than $29 million set aside for a rainy day, Macomb Township is the most financially solvent city in the state. Low property taxes and a median home price of $185,000 help explain why this city is Michigan's fastest-growing major municipality. Since most of the population commutes to Detroit, Macomb doesn't have a downtown, but it does have lots of parks, outdoor community centers, and sports courts. Photo courtesy of Macomb Twp.

Ann Arbor – Cheering a Big 10 football game along with thousands of other fans is a major rush, but what really powers this college town is job opportunities. Though the city has lost several large employers like Pfizer and Borders, it has attracted many others – cybersecurity firm Barracuda Networks and hospitality giant Hyatt recently opened offices here. Families generally avoid the student-filled homes near campus, opting for the quieter west and north sides of town. Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor.