Story originally printed in the Coulee News or online at www.couleenews.com

Published - Friday, April 27, 2007

West Salem makes list of best places to live

The village of West Salem was one of 100 places in America named the best place to live.

By MATTHEW PERENCHIO | Assistant editor

West Salem residents probably already knew this, but they live in one of the best places in the nation.

Relocate-America.com recently released its annual list of “America’s Top 100 Places to Live,” and West Salem is among those communities to receive the distinction.

The list has been compiled annually since 1998, and the Web site, owned by Michigan-based HomeRoute, provides relocating consumers access to resources for their next move.

Communities are nominated via the Web site, and Relocate-America’s editorial staff weighs the submissions based on 40 factors, such as economic health, schools, unemployment, crime, housing data and beauty.

West Salem was among more than 2,000 communities nominated.

“Frankly, I am not surprised,” said West Salem Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler. “West Salem definitely deserves this recognition, and I believe the residents of West Salem have known all along we have one of the best places in the country to live.

“West Salem has so much to offer its residents through recreation opportunities, scenery and its proximity to a wide variety of amenities,” Schnitzler added. “The small town feel is exceptional here, the people are friendly and who could ask for more?”

Steve Nickerson, president and CEO of HomeRoute, said making the list gives communities a sense of pride. Plus, he said, it’s a good marketing tool to promote the community.

“It shows that there’s a sense of passion, a sense of pride for that community,” Nickerson said. “The towns that make the list can see it as an honor.

“In addition, our purpose as a company is to educate consumers and give them access to places that they might not have. This does that.”

Nickerson said it takes about eight weeks for his staff to go through the nominations and choose the top 100. This was the first time West Salem has made the list, and it was one of only three Wisconsin communities. Madison and Stevens Point also represented the state while nearby Minnesota had Duluth and Marshall on the list.

Nickerson points out there are no limitations as to what cities, villages and towns can be nominated. The list of top places to live includes large cities like Chicago and New York as well as smaller communities like West Salem.

“We keep the list very open,” he said. “We include everybody. Our demographic on our site is so varied.”

From the top 100 communities, Relocate-America ranks the top 10 while the remaining 90 are listed alphabetically.

Topping the list this year is Asheville, N.C., followed by Traverse City, Mich., Ithaca, N.Y., Chicago and Cary, N.C.

The remaining five are Portland, Maine; San Francisco; Stevens Point; O’Fallon, Mo.; and Spencer, Iowa.

“West Salem should be proud to make this list, and it speaks well of our village,” Schnitzler said. “The attraction to West Salem is evident by so many new residents coming to our village as well.”