<p>According to an article in today's CNN/Money:</p>
<p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/5.html%5B/url%5D">http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/5.html</a></p>
<p>"For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."</p>
<p>"Thirty miles east of Los Angeles, Claremont came into its own in the early 20th century after the founding of Pomona College. Streets were named after prestigious East Coast schools, and residents were encouraged to plant trees. </p>
<p>Today, Claremont is called the City of Trees and Ph.D.s. The city has won the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA award for 19 straight years, and Pomona is part of a prestigious consortium known as the Claremont Colleges. </p>
<p>The downtown is a mix of hip boutiques and old-school businesses. And the historic College Heights Lemon Packing House is now home to the Claremont Art Museum, restaurants, a jazz bar and artists' lofts. And relative to much of California, it's affordable (emphasis on "relative")."</p>
<p>It's a wonderfully livable place. A bit warm in the summer, but gorgeous the rest of the time.</p>
<p>I loved Claremont as a town (note, not college town). It's an oasis in the midst of SoCal's urban sprawl. And good news for prospective students: the Claremont Village ("downtown") is currently undergoing a pretty major expansion, and an increase in student appeal is one of its goals! Having a movie theatre as well as some more student-accessible eating and shopping options all within walking distance should boost student opinions a bit. </p>
<p>(That said, I still loved Claremont :))</p>
<p>Here are the businesses moving in to Claremont village:</p>
<p>Casa 425 Hotel 28 Room Inn
Laemmle Theatre 5 Screen Arts Theatre 816 seats
Tally 4 Men Men’s Clothing
Cloud Nine Fine Paper Stationary
Kazama Sushi Restaurant
O My Sole Shoes
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Coffees and Teas
Too Blond Women’s Clothing
Astuce Bistro Restaurant
American Apparel Clothes (College Age)
Eco Terra Health Market
Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream
Isabella Dees Clothing
California Pizza Kitchen – ASAP Restaurant
Sanam Clothing Active Wear
So Fresh Salad Cafe
The Pita Pit Fresh Sandwiches
Chico’s Women’s Clothing
Casablanca Bar & Grill Mediterranean Restaurant
PH Wine Merchants Wine Sales, Tasting, Ed
Three Forks Chophouse Steak House Restaurant
Claremont Jazz Lounge Jazz Club
Maui Wowi Coffee and Juice Bar
Edible Arrangements Fruit Arrangements
International Glass Bead Glass and Bead Gallery
La Bamba Vintage Accessories
Studio Claremont Gallery and Art Classes
Home and Abode Home Furnishings
Claremont Museum of Art Art Museum
Bua Thai Thai Restaurant
21 Choices Yogurt Yogurt and Smoothies</p>
<p>I'm sure Claremont is a beautiful place to live, but I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in that ranking as my town is listed as the 7th most desirable place to live.</p>