Forbes Magazine recently reported about a survey of America’s Top 25 Towns to Live Well and it is no surprise that Boulder, CO topped the list. And in March 2009 Forbes ranked Boulder #20 on their list of Best Places for Businesses and Careers.

So … if Boulder is a great place to work and have a career, and is a great place to live well in, then what else is left? If you can live well, and thrive professionally, then what more can a person ask for?

What makes our town so special? Quality of life and proximity to just about any amenity a person could ask for are the answers. There are no less than 10 world-class ski areas within an approximately 2 hour drive of Boulder, and in the summer these ski areas offer amenities such as golf, festivals, mountain biking, fishing, rafting, etc.. Boulder County itself has an abundance of parks and trails, as well as a strong and ever-improving bicycle infrastructure. There are museums in Boulder and close-by Denver, as well as an abundance of incredible restaurants, shopping districts, nightlife and many other cultural attractions.

Boulder Valley School District is one of the strongest public school systems in the state which is something vitally important to families. The housing market has remained relatively stable despite the downturn being felt heavily in other parts of the country. Because it is still considered a “small town” with a population just over 100,000 the area is not plagued with the traffic and congestion that is often found in larger communities, meaning shorter commute times. That said, a major international airport is just a short 40 minute drive away via a state-of-the-art toll highway.

High median salaries and an exceptionally large population of entrepreneurs are factors especially important in a recession and Boulder can boast both of those. And it doesn’t hurt to have a major university in the center of town. In August 2008 the University of Colorado made Forbes list of America’s Best Colleges. The area is a strong environment for start-ups with lots of new companies, venture capital funding, highly educated workforce, and a favorable business climate.

When you have museums and sunshine, abundant natural beauty and recreation, highly rated restaurants and a strong local economy with a highly rated university and new companies starting up, it’s not difficult to attract people willing to relocate to a desirable place like Boulder.