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← Older: America’s Best Places to Live 2008: No. 28, Gilbert, Arizona
In the early 1900s, Gilbert was known as the Hay Capital of the World. Today it is a bustling small city and the fastest-growing town in Arizona in the last decade.
Newer: America’s Best Places to Live 2008: No. 11, Olathe, Kansas →
One of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Olathe was reportedly named for the Shawnee word for “beautiful.”
America’s Best Places to Live 2008: No. 12, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
As seen in the August 2008 issue of Money magazine and on the web at CNNMoney.com.
Highlands Ranch, CO
Top 100 rank: 12
Population: 102,600
Just 12 miles southeast of Denver, Highlands Ranch is a young unincorporated community — only 27 years old this year. Settled by Native Americans long ago, it remained a series of farms and ranches until the 1980s brought suburban development.
The community is home to the Highlands Ranch Mansion, or “Castle Isabel,” a turn-of-the-century, 22,000-square foot structure built by a wealthy resident in 1904.
Though the area is still unincorporated – you might not find it on a map – community is strong here. All Highlands Ranch residents must follow a community covenant that has firm guidelines on housing modification, fencing, and contribution to the local library and recreation centers.