Top 100 Suburbs in the U.S.

When you're young you think there is nothing that could get you to move out of the city. Being away from the shopping, museums, nightclubs and food is unthinkable. But then one day you find yourself an adult with kids and your priorities suddenly change. Now you're looking at schools, yards and safety.

But there are suburb options that are not the cliche Leave it to Beaver neighborhood. This list takes cities with 7,500 to 50,000 people and rates them by looking at economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community. Also added into the equation is racial diversity, home prices and property taxes. Because real estate prices have gone up some much recently it has been given extra attention causing some cities to do better than in the past and some to do worse.

1. Middleton, Wisconsin; 2. Hanover, New Hampshire; 3. Louisville, Colorado; 4. Lake Mary, Florida; 5. Claremont, California 6. Papillion, Nebraska; 7. Milton, Massachusetts; 8. Chaska, Minnesota; 9. Nether Providence (Wallingford) , Pennsylvania; 10. Suwanee, Georgia.

18. Sherwood, Ore.

Population: 14,800
Median home price (2006): $303,126
Average property taxes (2006): $2,889

Like much of the Northwest, Sherwood is home to an array of beautiful parks and natural beauty. But the quickly growing commercial sites of Sherwood offer true insight into the town's character: a juxtaposition of old and new, with reverence toward both the city's historic past and its bright, expanding future. The community events calendar is always full and the town's location makes for a fairly easy commute to nearby Portland. -A.B.

32. Lake Oswego, Ore.

Population: 38,600
Median home price (2006): $533,103
Average property taxes (2006): $3,173

One of the major attractions of this Portland suburb is the 405-acre artificial lake whose banks it sits on. Waterfront properties are highly sought, and many residents take advantage of the lake, either by boating on the weekends or hanging out at one of the parks on its shores. Another big appeal is shopping and dining. Lake Oswego is full of many one-of-a-kind boutiques and unique restaurants. And for arts lovers, the Lakewood Center offers top-notch instruction at its dance studio along with fantastic shows put on by its theater company. -B.N.

63. Camas, Wash.

Population: 17,400
Median home price (2006): $390,016
Average property taxes (2006): $2,602

Situated on the northern bank of the Columbia River, Camas is a waterfront community that prides itself on its impressive outdoors. The city boasts extensive forested open spaces and you can walk to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Its true gem is the predominately residential Prune Hill - a dormant volcanic hill which affords panoramic views of both the urban (downtown Portland) and the suburban (Mount Hood). As for downtown Camas, the city has worked extensively to revitalize its economy and attract businesses. -I.T.

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/103225/Best-Places-to-Live

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/103227/Where-We'll-Live

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