Gainesville, FL tops list of 400 cities in U.S., Canada

[Herman Munster]

http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/SUNFRONT/705060331

Of the 400 cities in the United States and Canada cataloged, examined, analyzed and described in the 850-page book, Gainesville ranked No. 1. "What a shocker," Loog said.

The book, written by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander and published by Frommer's, goes on sale Monday. And many involved in promoting Gainesville and Alachua County say the book and Gainesville's top ranking could be a powerful tool for bringing people and businesses to the area. It also provides an impressive addition to a list of top rankings Gainesville has already garnered.
..

In general, college towns did well in Sperling and Sander's study. Last edition's top city, Charlottesville, Va., is home of the University of Virginia, and 10 of the top 25 spots on this year's list went to cities that are the host to major universities.

This is common among many lists of cities, in part because university communities are able to offer cultural, athletic and educational amenities that otherwise would only be found in major urban areas, Sander said. A small college town, however, usually doesn't have to contend with the same levels of crime, congestion, pollution and other issues that plague urban areas, he said.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Wow, hate crimes and serial killers

notwithstanding, huh?

[Herman Munster]

2. well

the serial killer thing was 16 years ago could have happened anywhere.

What hate crimes are you talking about? Alachua County where Gainesville is one of the few reliable blue counties in florida.

[jmowreader]

3. Charlottesville is also FULL of government agencies

The University of Virginia is there, but so is the Office of Personnel Management and a BUNCH of other stuff--the US Army Foreign Science and Technology Center, the National Ground Intelligence Center...lotsa spooks running around that place.

[frankenforpres]

4. it's a dump

one road full of traffic