Alva, Oklahoma: One of the Murals in the town, painted by Roger Cooke

Alva, Oklahoma: A College Town, A Mural Town

                                                                                                                                                                                 

Laramie, Wyoming: A University Town that is also A Western Town

Laramie has just under 28,000 population, and an unemployment rate of just 1.4%. The University of Wyomng has a campus here, with a wide range of majors and very reasonable tuition for resident students. Homes can be bought for as low as $100,000 and the median price is about $170,000.  The cost of living is about 12% less than most towns nationwide.

The city sits at an elevation of about 7100 ft., and there are many outdoor activities one can enjoy. Fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, and a variety of winter sports such as snow mobiling are part6s of the Laramie lifestyle. The town offers a small town flavor while also having a full array of big city amenities such as fine restaurants, art galleries, schools and colleges, and businesses as well.

for more photos of Laramie, click here

Bellingham, Washington: All this and a college town, lake town, and Arts Center too..

Bellingham, Washington, is a bit larger than the small towns I normally focus on, at over 75,000 population, but it has retained the small town flavor. It also has a number of factors that are inviting for those who want to live in such a town: lots of water: lakes, ocean nearby. Also a great college and arts and entertainment in abundance. Then there is also the beauty of the northwest setting, with forests and meadows in the richest greens. It is an abundantly pleasant place to be, and is not too far from the Canadian border.

Sandpoint, Idaho: Charm and Water, what could be better in a small town?

Sandpoint Idaho is a town that has the benefit of a low population (about 8000), water features, and a charming downtown. It also has some notable industries, such as Coldwater Creek and Quest Aircraft. In 2006, the community initiated the first international film festival in Sandpoint. The

Lakedance International Film Festival, showcasing independent films at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint, has become an annual event that attracts visitors from around the world.

Park City, Utah: Resort Plaza Cam Viewer

To see a live televised  wide angle and telescoped camera view of the plaza in Park City, go to this link:

http://www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/conditions/mountain_cams/controllable_cam_01.html

Park City, Utah: Only about 8000 permanent residents, it is a tourist, sport, and film mecca

Park City has had a long history, first as a silver mining center, then later as a center for winter sports such as snowboarding and skiing. Its primary claim to fame today is the annual Sundance Film Festival, which draws film producers and film stars from around the globe. The independent films that are showcased here are the best to be found anywhere. There are art galleries and bistros in abundance. The charm of the city is in its mountain high beauty, resting at 7000 feet elevation, and the marvelous lodge style architecture of its many hotels, resorts, and homes. Young adults gather into the city seasonally for employment at peak events. The city has so much to offer and so much potential growth. It is only about 33 miles from Salt Lake City but is one of the cities not founded by Mormons. It is a multicultural, multiethnic city of snowy beauty and crystal clear nights lit by the brilliance of electric lanterns. Take a visit, you will love it. It is one of the wealthiest towns in the nation but offers opportunity for those whose pockets are not as full as well.

Pahrump, Nevada: Rodeos and Golf Courses

The population of Pahrump is around 37,000. The elevation is approximately 2600 feet above sea level. The town is a good one for solar power, as it has at least 216 days a year that are clear and sunny. The town is in Nye County, the largest county in Nevada and the third largest in the country. A major attraction of the town is that it has no personal income taxes, no corporate income taxes, no franchise taxes, inventory or estate taxes. Property taxes are reasonable on top of that.

Another great feature of Pahrump is that it is only an hour from Las Vegas, and is growing in the same manner that Vegas did. The down side is that there are brothels in Pahrump.. but hey, no place is perfect. They are legalized and controlled, so that those who do not frequent them can go about their lives with no concern over them. The town is expanding and has much to offer: great climate, low prices, and lots of space to grow.

Mountain View, Arkansas: Folk Music and Art, Tiny Town

The 2005 census lists the population of Mountain View as under 3000. Yet the small town has vitality, creativity, and joy.  It is surprising to discover that the film star Dick Powell was born in Mountain View.
The town thrives mostly on tourism. The area has many attractions to draw visitors, from the Blanchard Springs Caverns to the Ozark Folk Center to the White River to the Ozark National Forest. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound here. There are several major festivals held each year, and a number of jam sessions for musicians at the local cafes and the courthouse square. The largest business is the Stone County Iron Works. There is of course some small scale farming, some cattle and chicken raising as well.
In October, the Arkansas Bean Fest includes an outhouse race. In Mid-March there is a Bluegrass Festival, and of course Christmas is a great time to be in Mountain View. The town's charming woodsy setting is perfect for winter celebrating and warm gatherings in front of a fireplace. At the folk art center you can even take banjo lessons. Gosh, you might never want to leave this great little town.
An interesting historical note about Mountain View is the 1929 murder case involving in which a young man was killed. Years went by before evidence came to light that while on a date with his young girlfriend, four men attacked them. They raped the girl, who testified at the trial, and then killed the young man and buried him. The Connie Franklin case makes good reading.