This list comes out every single year and both Chanhassen & Chaska (so close together) made the grade!  I'm admittedly a city gal, but have many friends and family who hale from that end of the woods.  Check this out: Best Places to Live in 2009 

Here's the reason I think Minneapolis should have been #1:

1) Being able to walk out of your front door and nearly step onto one of the hundreds of scenic trails in Minnesota: Minnehaha Creek, River Road, Lake Nokomis, Lake Harriet/Isles/Calhoun, Theodore Worth, Luce Line (ahem check this out Bicycling in Minneapolis).

2) Fantastic neighborhood restaurants and pubs.  You'll find me at: Amore Victoria, Al Vento Restaurant, Cave Vin, Blackbird Cafe, and The Sample Room.

3) Supporting your local businesses.  For example, just 1 1/2 blocks away, I am able to get my pet food at Calhoun Pet Supply, an authentic greasy-spoon breakfast at Our Kitchen, last-minute home-improvement items at Bryant Hardware, grab coffee with a friend at Gigi's Cafe, and find that forgotten recipe item at Kyle's Market.  There's also a garden co-op called Urban Earth & Flower Garden. 

4) The most diverse looking homes.  Each block is different.  Walking down any block in Minneapolis, you can pick up fabulous gardening ideas, paint colors, home improvement ideas, and smiling, happy faces.

That's why I love my Minneapolis.  By the time I thaw out in Spring and put my first sweater on in October, I appreciate the little things I get to enjoy in my sweet little city.

What's your favorite city?