Westerville has great suburban homes, bike paths, parks and a kick-butt rec center

Remember a couple years ago when Westerville and Gahanna made the national list of best suburbs and places to live? Well, they’ve been resting on their on their laurels since then and I’ve wondered every time I’ve gone into one or the other to show home or what not why neither has made a re-appearance.

Well, I have always liked Westerville and Gahanna and I’d take them over Plain City or Obetz any day and today I found out what happens next, WESTERVILLE was ranked by Money Magazine at No. 15 in a list of America’s best places to live.

The ranking is based in part on quality of life, schools, crime rate and the local economy. From a 10tv new story….

More than 35,000 people live in the community but to some, its most charming feature is a small town feel, 10TV News reported.

“It’s just a great place to grow up,” said Colleen Gustafon, a resident.  “I grew up here and thought it was a good place for my family so we thought we’d stick around.”

The median family income in Westerville is just over $105,000 a year, while the median home price is a little more than $189,000.

Another important ranking is education.  CNN-Money found that Westerville has 15 colleges, universities or professional schools within 30 miles and a median commute of 20 minutes.

It found 24 movie theaters, more than 350 bars and more than 2,000 restaurants within 15 miles.

Westerville did not make Money’s list last year.  In 2007, it ranked No. 46.  The best small hometowns have been ranked since 2005.