St. Charles takes spot on Money’s Top 100 list along with O’Fallon

Money Magazine has recognized the cities of St. Charles and O’Fallon as two of the top 100 “Best Places to Live.”  The nationally known journal ranked O’Fallon 39 and St. Charles city 71 on its overall list.

Additionally, Money identified St. Charlesas the 11^th most affordable city in the nation and tops in Missouri.

“We are so proud to be recognized once again for being a great community for residents and businesses,” said Mayor Sally Faith.   “This clearly demonstrates our plan for growth, affordability and investment is working.”

In citing the community for its numerous assets, Money Magazine states, “History buffs may know St. Charles as the start and end point of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Wine aficionados know it as home to several award-winning wineries, like Little Hills Winery and Sugar Creek Winery & Vineyards. But to most locals it’s simply a nice place to raise kids, with great schools, very little crime, and reasonably priced homes. Extra bonus: St. Charles County residents pay some of the lowest taxes in the country, according to the Tax Foundation.”

“The magazine’s noted accolades say it all,” Faith said. “St. Charles is a great place to visit, work, raise a family, get an education and pay less taxes…who could want more than that?”

Meanwhile, for the fourth consecutive time, the city of O’Fallonhas been named one of the country’s “Best Places to Live,” according to Money magazine’s list of America’s 100 best cities. O’Fallon ranked 39^th on the 2012 list of cities with a population of 50,000 to 300,000.

O’Fallon’s ranking continues the stream of national accolades that have been bestowed on the city. In addition to Money’s previous rankings in 2006, 2008 and 2010, O’Fallon was named to Relocate-America.com’s listings of America’s Best Cities in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and O’Fallon currently is ranked as the “Second-Safest City in America” by CQ Press.

“We are truly humbled to again be on this prestigious list,” said Mayor Bill Hennessy. “O’Fallon is a wonderful community in which to live, work and play. This honor is a testament to our residents, our businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches, community volunteers and our elected officials and tremendous city staff.

“Our leaders are called on to make O’Fallon the ‘best city in the state ofMissouri. With this ranking, we have once again achieved that goal, and we have set a standard of excellence that we intend to maintain for future generations.”

O’Fallon is the highest-ranked city in the state of Missouriand one of only three Missouricities to be ranked by Money. O’Fallon andSt. Charles were joined byFlorissant with a rank of 76.