12 Great Places You've Never Heard Of

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The city’s slogan is “cows, colleges and contentment.” Although the cows are in decline as the human population increases, the colleges are thriving, and Northfield has an air of prosperous contentment that’s quite unusual for a town this small.

Population: 18,567
County: Rice
Climate: pleasant springs and summers; exquisite autumns; cold winters
Cost of living index: 111.5
Median home price: $231,700
Alternative energy: net metering and renewable energy incentives
Don’t miss: Carleton College’s Cowling Arboretum, which has 880 acres of prairie and forest with 10 miles of trails.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Sheltered by the magnificent Colorado National Monument to the west and the Grand Mesa to the east, Grand Junction is a charming town in a dramatic setting. Located in the 30-mile long Grand Valley, it is the major population center in an agricultural valley famous for its orchards. In recent years, wineries have become common in the valley, and the area is now regarded as one of the best winegrowing spots in the West.

As Grand Junction is surrounded by national monuments and forests, those who love the outdoors will find plenty to do: hiking, camping, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting and mountain biking.

Population: 44,693
County: Mesa
Climate: mild, dry and sunny year-round
Cost of living index: 98.3
Median home price: $181,700
Alternative energy: net metering; no local incentives
Don’t miss: Colorado National Monument

St. George, Utah

St. George is fast becoming a top tourism and retirement spot, thanks to its mild winters, lovely red rock scenery, skiing, mountain biking and an abundance of golf courses. In fact, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and development is a controversial topic. Those interested in sustainable living will find a strong community of environmentalists working to preserve the spectacular and biologically diverse landscapes of the area.

The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm offers fun for adults and children; it features the rare combination of dinosaur bones and footprints.

Population: 59,780
County: Washington
Climate: wide daily temperature range; hot summers with low humidity; mild winters with traces of snow.
Cost of living index: 98.5
Median home price: $200,200
Alternative energy: net metering and renewable energy incentives
Don’t miss: Zion National Park

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