Two Oregon cities make Money’s best places to live 2016

PORTLAND — Beaverton, Ore., called a “melting pot in Nike’s backyard,” has been named one of Money Magazine’s top 50 small cities in the United States. Portland was recognized as the best big city in the West.

Money cites diversity, affordability, good schools and a strong foodie scene as reasons Beaverton ranked ninth on its list of cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.

“What an incredible honor for our community,” Beaverton mayor Denny Doyle said in a news release. “It is particularly gratifying to be recognized for our affordability, cultural inclusiveness and proximity to Nike.”

If you’re looking for a change of pace and Beaverton doesn’t suit you, one of the other top 10 small cities might. Columbia, Md.; Eden Prairie, Minn.; Plano, Texas; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Parsippany-Troy Hills, N.J., are the top 5. The top 10 is rounded out by Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Clarkstown, N.Y.; Weston, Fla.; Beaverton and Naperville, Ill.

Portland was recognized as one of the magazine’s six best big cities, and the best in the West.

“That quirky spirit, coupled with a vibrant tech culture, is precisely why people are moving here — or moving back,” Money writes about Portland, after citing some of its better-known stereotypes. It calls Sellwood-Moreland the “hot hood.”

The other big cities Money recognized are: Boston; Raleigh, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Arlington, Texas; and Colorado Springs, Colo.

Beaverton was listed as the best place to live in Oregon and one of the 10 best places to live overall. No Oregon towns made the list of healthiest places to live or the best places to be rich and single.

Better luck next year.