Comments on: Top Ten Towns In Which To Raise A Family

Family Circle Makes The Call; Magazine's Linda Fears Discusses Its Choices

[pwellfootbal]

i also live in kalamazoo and have lived here for 4 years now. but i grew up only 10 min. away. As much as I love kalamazoo and everything it has going for it such as the promise, taste of kalamazoo, blues fest, island fest, and so forth. just as recently as last year i believe it was ranked #1 on the most dangerous cities of under 100,000 peoples list. This list was going strictly off of violent crimes such as rape, murder, etc. just my 2 cents although culturally and artisticly this town is great.

[willybnme]

I think that someone "missed the boat." I am from Kalamazoo, Michigan and we are a city with Western Michigan University and the well acclaimed Kalamazoo College both within the city limits. The rural Kalamazoo area also hosts a fine Junior College. Our city is tops in the arts and entertainment. We have a "festival" area downtown and host different cultural festivals most every weekend in the summer. The Kalamazoo Art Institute offers classes to the young and old. I know of fellow classmates that drove across the state for classes and the almost unlimited use of the facility. Concerts and musicals are almost always available at one of several places.
BUT, what I believe makes this the best family city, maybe in the country is this: We have a program called the "Kalamazoo Promise." I believe it is maybe the first of it's kind in the US. If a student attends Kalamazoo Public Schools grades K-12, they are guaranteed a 4 year PAID college education in most any MI college or university. For those that do not attend from K up. That figure will be pro-rated .
Michigan has been hurt job-wise because of the declining auto industry. However, Kalamazoo has not been "auto minded" but rather medical based because of the once Upjohn company and all it's downtown buildings which are now Phizer which is adding more jobs again real soon. Anyways, my vote is for Kalamazoo, Michigan and I believe it is with good cause.

[bennyblack1]

Whatever you do, don't come to Killeen, TX.

[muddypixie]

What about Eugene, OR? One of the most diverse cities spilling over with activities year around for the whole family to get involved with. Not to mention one of the most environmentally conscious cities in Oregon. A true gem in my book!

[incog-nito]

Who cares about "cultural awareness" if your kids grow up in a safe environment? In schools where there are different ethnic groups, kids usually just stick with their own group and there's usually conflict between them. It's a completely meaningless buzzword.

[doro6]

I can't believe the cynacism, with many of these comments. I'm from Wichita and Derby is just a few miles away. It is a LOVELY town. Comments about 'white people' and "no one receives any cultural or educational awareness" living here are ignorant. We loved Kansas and planned all along to sell our home in Wichita and move down the road to Derby. This article is "spot on." Don't insult Kansas unless you've been there. Low crime, great schools, all four seasons, and arguably the best real estate market in the country.

[jm_rvel]

I grew up outside of Derby Kansas, it is an excellent town. Safe, excellent schools and all of the benefits of living near a major city. Definitely recommended.

[jjarden]

Franklin, MA?? You've got to be kidding? I was a Teacher for one year at Franklin High School and not only discovered that many of the boys were Thugs, but also discovered after a Jewish Boy was murdered in town that Franklin is on the Top Ten FBI List of the Most Watched Towns for White Supremacist and Skinhead Activity. This researcher got it wrong by choosing Franklin, MA.

[justpicky]

I know several cities where these are good place
to raise a family. I didn't see those cities on
that list .
1. Edwardsville , IL - College town not huge and not very small , 50,000 pop . This town is clean
many college educated families , nice homes , families here are involved in there children activities daily. This town as alot to offer.
2. Mayville ,IL - Next to Edwardsville Il , this town has population of 8,000 , there's activities to do there also , active families , there is a bike trail going through it . Families are on this trail daily , there's several trails throughout this entire southwest area .This town has many family owned restaurants and ice cream shop , called Bobby's . Bobby's ice cream shop reminds me of the 50's where you can park your car , people will bring there 1950's cars so people can check them out . I think everyone knows Bobby and if they don't , he's an easy going person and extemely nice . I knew bobby and his family ever since I been very young 9 yrs old. Again in this town there's alot of family own businesses .
3. Columbia and Waterloo IL , - are another very good town to raise a family . These cities also are involved with children and there's alot to offer . These are German towns , very clean and quiet . Family owned businesses. The crime in these two towns are extremely low .
Family Circle should considered these town just as well. There are many other towns in this whole area . Quiet , clean and affordable.

[ryindy]

The grass is always greener on the other side...

Many smaller towns like this still exist in America... That is until some get rich quick developer moves in with a scheme to build low cost housing and imports a wealth of 'Diverse people' that will work at the newly built Big Box store.

Many of these diverse people still have friends or relatives that import the drugs and crime...

Seems to me that this type of article is best left unwritten. Slience is golden.