Cache Valley on a Host of 'Best Places' Lists Recently

By David Baker, staff writer, Herald Journal [www.hjnews.com], May 16, 2007

Cache Valley isn't a secret anymore.

The Logan metropolitan statistical area, which includes Cache and Franklin counties, was ranked No. 12 in a new book, "Cities Ranked and Rated." The book ranks more than 400 metropolitan areas using criteria like economy and jobs, cost of living, climate, crime, leisure and overall quality of life.

Logan has also appeared on a rash of "best places" lists as of late. It was ranked No. 3 on Money Magazine's "Best places to retire young," No. 12 on Forbes Magazine's "Best small places for business and careers" and No. 3 on an MSN real estate article listing "Low-cost locales where jobs are plenty."

"People are discovering what kind of an asset we have here," Logan's Economic Development Coordinator, Kirk Jensen said.

Each list used slightly different criteria, but most agreed Logan's natural beauty, recreational opportunities, low crime rate and diverse economy were things the area had to offer. The presence of Utah State University and low cost of living were other oft-mentioned factors.

"There is a reason for it, and it doesn't take a Ph.D. to figure that out," Jack Nixon, a local real estate agent, said. "All you have to do is walk out your door on a crisp May morning."

Jay Nielson, the city's community development director, agrees that it's the environment that brings people in and puts Cache Valley on these lists. He also mentions access to public lands and the beauty of the valley as other reasons. Nixon said the high housing costs in surrounding states may also contribute, because the increase makes Logan inexpensive by comparison.

The reasons for being on the lists may be fairly clear, but it is unknown how people use the lists.

Nixon said some people use the lists as a confirmation for what they already want to do, while others notice the lists and use them to start researching Logan as a place to relocate. "People who are just looking to escape from other places they don't like watch for good places to live," said Nielson. "You and I both talk to people regularly that have moved here because they just wanted a good place to live. There are no family ties. They just want to raise their family in a good place."

As a realtor, Nixon has seen people who move to Logan for the reasons Nielson mentions.

He said he had one couple from Kansas stop in his office after driving through Logan Canyon. They decided they had to move to Logan.

But it isn't just individuals and families who are drawn to Logan by these lists. Jensen said the lists boost interest in the corporate sector as well.

"The type of national notoriety that comes from being on those lists bring economic development potential, because they become suddenly places where people want to locate businesses, because they're good places to live and typically where you have good places to live there's a good dependable job force," Nielson said.

Even though the area has received some publicity recently, Jensen and Nielson both said residents shouldn't worry about rapid growth.

Nielson said the valley's growth may increase a bit, but he doesn't see it increasing at rates similar to places like St. George.

"Nobody can look into the crystal ball and see what's going to happen in the future," Jensen said. "We've forecasted 2 to 3 percent growth for the foreseeable future."

But a little growth doesn't worry Nixon - he sees positives in it.

"We, as natives here, welcome those people because they bring with them a desire to raise our standard," he said. "They come here because they expect us to be better than what they come from, and they're great contributors ... They really enhance us."