4 Michigan cities make Money Mag's 'Best Place to Live' list - Fox 2 News Headlines

4 Michigan cities make Money Magazine's 'Best Place to Live' list

Four Michigan cities have been named a Money Magazine Best Place to Live.

Troy (No. 26), West Bloomfield (No. 37), Shelby Township (No. 78) and Ann Arbor (No. 100) all made the magazine's annual Top 100 list.

Here's what the magazine had to say about each city:

Troy

Like many places near Detroit, Troy suffered during the recession, but good times seem to be back. Auto companies' profits are rising and formerly vacant office space in Troy is filling up. Detroit's woes mean housing in the area is a bargain: The median home price is just $166,000, and property taxes are ultralow. That's a pretty good deal for a city that's been rated the safest in Michigan for 10 of the past 14 years, has great schools and the best community sports program in the state.

West Bloomfield

Long a popular choice for those who work in the Detroit area, West Bloomfield boasts affordable housing (the average house costs just under $200,000), good schools, and sterling health care thanks to the high-end Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. The city's downtown area is small but chic, with many luxury boutiques and restaurants. Those in search of more vibrant nightlife hop over to nearby Royal Oak or make the slightly longer drive to Detroit.

Shelby Township

Shelby is 45 minutes from Detroit but feels worlds away. The community has a rural feel, with open spaces, well-rated schools, safe streets, and bucolic parks. At 9.8%, however, the area unemployment rate is higher than the average. In June there was a major fire in the small downtown, which destroyed three historic buildings and several local businesses.

Ann Arbor

Cheering a Big 10 football game along with thousands of other fans is a major rush, but what really powers this college town is job opportunities. Though the city has lost several large employers like Pfizer and Borders, it has attracted many others -- cybersecurity firm Barracuda Networks and hospitality giant Hyatt recently opened offices here. Families generally avoid the student-filled homes near campus, opting for the quieter west and north sides of town.

See the entire list here.