Sarasota

One of America's best places to live, work and raise a family. Our clean air, sparkling beaches and sunny climate have made us world famous as a center for the good life. And our vibrant recreational and cultural scene offers activities for every taste and budget. We are a diverse area of big city amenities and small town ease of living. Business owners and employees enjoy not only the good life but a thriving business climate. Our top-rated schools, motivated workforce and affordable cost of living make Sarasota home to some of the most successful and productive companies in the country.

Sarasota may be the ultimate beach town, with its sun-kissed location on the Gulf of Mexico, more than 200 sunny days a year and an average year-round temperature of 71°F. Yet there are plenty of other reasons why we named it the best small city. The county -- which includes Venice, Northport, Longboat and Siesta Keys -- has its own symphony, ballet and opera companies. The 1,800-seat Van Wezel Performing Arts Center lures productions like the Broadway road company of Chicago. The Ringling Museum of Art -- established by circus baron John Ringling, who settled in the area in the 1920s -- has an extensive collection of American and European art. Like sports? Just an hour away there's the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and arena football's Storm.

-Money Magazine