Livin' here and lovin' it

Livin' here and lovin' it


Publication Date: 06/18/09

We who live in this paradise don't need U.S. News & World Report to tell us that St. Augustine is one the 10 best places to live in the United States.

We know it every day, rain or shine.

But we'll take the magazine's recognition. There's something about outsiders looking in and finding enough good points to lift the Nation's Oldest City to the top 10 from a database of 2,000 cities that have at least 10,000 people and crime at or below the national level. St. Augustine also had to pass through other filters the magazine used to whittle the list to 200, including a measure of the cost of living.

The magazine's ranking is a good way for communities to see how they stack up nationally.

The report pegged the city as the one we know: Writer Luke Mullins said, "With a highly educated workforce, world-class golfing nearby, and that refreshing Atlantic breeze, St. Augustine, Fla., offers enough activities to satisfy even the most fanatical outdoor sports enthusiast."

Some key points, though, need correction:

* The eight schools in the St. Johns County School District within the city include four elementary schools, not three, and two middle schools, not three. There are two high schools. The generalization that scores were lower in math and reading is not exactly correct. Three schools of the eight had scores lower than the state averages.

* The "no hospital in location" comment is not exactly right. Nationally accredited Flagler Hospital is just outside the city limits. In fact, U.S. News recently ranked Flagler one of the top 50 hospitals in cardiac care nationally.

Credit U.S. News, too, in responding to several commenters who read that Flagler College was incorrectly identified in a photo caption. As of June 9, the day after the story appeared, the magazine corrected itself.

If you haven't read the "Best Places to Live" story, go to www.usnews.com and follow the links. Also scroll through the comments. Of those posted about St. Augustine, most were favorable, noting lower taxes, miles of beaches, golfing, name entertainment, a beautiful downtown and no snow in the last six years.

One candid posting was the couple who said they came here often as visitors for years and now regret having moved here. They found it more interesting as a vacation than a permanent address. That's OK. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Former residents choose to return. They join newcomers in giving back to the community and enjoying its benefits. We welcome all with their new and renewed voices and fresh eyes.

We've said enough.

We'll end with this online posting from a Pat Smith of St. Augustine: "If you're bored in this town, it's your own darn fault."

On the Web

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/real-estate/2009/06/08/best-places-to-live-2009.html

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http://www.staugustine.com/stories/061809/opinions_061809_050.shtml

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