Morris County Town Makes Money Magazine List of Best Places To Live

Parsippany-Troy Hills was ranked by the magazine as being among the top 50 best places to live in the country. The Morris County town was ranked 5th. It was the one of four New Jersey towns to make the list.

According to Money Magazine, Parsippany-Troy Hills ranks so high for being a true New York City suburb, far enough away to distinguish itself from the dangers that come with big city livin', but close enough to afford denizens of the sprawling town access to some of the best museums, restaurants, and architecture in the world. NYC is only a short drive or a train ride away.

In addition to the location, Parsippany-Troy Hills is a far cry away from what many people think of when they think of New Jersey: industrial city.

"Parsippany has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 40 years," says Money Magazine. "In Parsippany, you can see how New Jersey got the nickname 'the Garden State.' "

Money Magazine's annual list includes four New Jersey towns on its list, from three other counties:

• Edison (Middlesex)
• Franklin (Sussex)
• Cherry Hill (Camden)

The judges came up with the list by analyzing 60 factors, including taxes, education, jobs, home affordability and health care.

The best place to live, according to the magazine, is Columbia, Maryland, a planned community with home prices just over $300,000. The other three towns that rank high are Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Plano, Texas; and West Des Moines, Iowa.

Ranked at #20, Edison in New Jersey is also located in a prime spot, about an hour's drive to New York City, Philadelphia, and the Jersey Shore. With a diverse population and excellent schools, and major employers like Rutgers that keep unemployment low, the town is a great place to live.

At #23, Franklin, NJ is also well-loved for its scenic beauty. With 685-acre Colonial Park, an 18-hole championship golf course, and fishing ponds, there's something for everyone to enjoy out of doors. According to the magazine, the William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest also in town, is a 65-acre old-growth forest administered by Rutgers.

"Despite a sizable population, residents say Franklin is the type of place where neighbors know one another and feel safe leaving their doors unlocked," says the magazine.

Finally, the last NJ town on the top 50 list is Cherry Hill, #26. The schools of Cherry Hill are rated highly, which makes the real estate even more desirable, and the crime rate is really low. Best of all, the Hill is close to both Philadelphia and Trenton, giving residents quick access to all the accoutrements of big city life without the big city.

Image via SachinDaluja, flickr, used under Creative Commons.