Peoria makes Money list

The city of Peoria council and staff will have one more feather in their cap this week, as Money magazine has named Peoria among its 100 "Best Places to Live."

The city ranks 55th on the Money list, featured in the magazine's August issue and online at money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL0454050.html.

Among the factors cited by Money were spring training, the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts and the amount of open space the city has set aside for preservation and recreation.

In its description of Peoria, Money magazine writes:

"You can feel Peoria's historic ties to Phoenix by walking its streets, which are aligned by a common grid system.

Sports are a big draw here: Peoria is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners baseball teams, which share the Peoria Sports Complex. There's been lots of development lately, including the 280-seat Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, which opened last year.

But the city also has set aside more than 750 acres of open space for preservation and recreation, a good thing for nature-loving residents."

Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett said he was pleased to have the city recognized in such a way.

"While it's great that the Money editors recognized Peoria, what is really neat is that they found examples from all parts our city," Barrett said.

The magazine also noted comparatively low property taxes, a rate of job growth double the average of the Top 10 cities, and the high percentage of days with clear weather.

No Arizona city made last year's Money list, but the state boasts four in 2008. Peoria is the only West Valley community. It is joined by three East Valley cities: Gilbert (No. 28), Chandler (No. 30) and Scottsdale (No. 47).

First on the list was Plymouth, Minn., a Twin Cities suburb that was hailed for its affordable housing, good schools and vibrant outdoor culture.