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Top Twenty Cities for Jobs (and Quality of Life)

Did your city make Forbes' cut?

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Finding the next great job may mean making a move, especially as the economy cools. Forbes.com recently ranked the top cities for jobs in 2008. Its rankings were based on unemployment rates, job growth, income growth, median household income, and cost of living. I read the list with great interest—then started looking for other kinds of information on these cities. In addition to the cost of living, I wanted to know about the style of living. We all want to be in places that make us happy. Here’s the list:

1. Salt Lake City

This city was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and became the capital of the Mormon community. Want a big family? You will fit right in. The state boasts the highest fertility rate in the nation. From an employment standpoint, the city has an abundance of tech jobs, according to Forbes.com

2. Wichita

Known as the air capital of the world, Wichita is home to a handful of air manufacturing companies and McConnell Air Force Base. Random fact: Wichita was the site of the first Pizza Hut.

3. Austin

The state capital and home to the University of Texas, the city is known for its music scene. In the business world, it is known as a leader in the semiconductor industry.

4. Atlanta

Nicknamed “the city too busy too hate,” Atlanta was the capital of the civil rights movement and is still known as a mecca for well-educated, wealthy African Americans. Atlanta is home to many Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola.

5. Fort Worth

Often overshadowed by its cousin Dallas to the East, Fort Worth is known as “cowtown” and considered a gateway to the west. It is the home of American Airlines.

6. Indianapolis

Best known as the site of the Indianapolis 500, which is held every Memorial Day weekend, Indianapolis is home to corporations including pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and insurance firm WellPoint.

7. Houston

This is oil country, though other industries, including the chemical industry, are also important. And who could forget the famous line, “Houston, we have a problem”? Yes, NASA is still the city’s most famous employer. Houston boasts a low cost of living and plenty of sunshine.