tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665995.post-1140012686345472842006-02-15T09:09:00.000-05:002006-02-15T09:11:26.806-05:00The February, 2006 issue of the Progressive Farmer Magazine has named Oconee County, Georgia as the #1 place to live in the Southeastern United States and the #3 place to live in the entire country. Counties in the overall top 10 and the regional top 20 lists are ranked first according to cost of living (the ratio of average household income to average household spending). Oconee County is just minutes away from downtown Athens and the University of Georgia which received a top ranking for Best Graduate Schools for 2006 by U.S. News & World Report.<br /><br />As one of only two places that made the top 10 two years in a row, it is especially impressive since the formula for selection was changed extensively. The formula takes into account crime rates, air quality, access to health care (the number of medical professionals per thousand people), education (student/teacher ratios and college-bound percentages) and leisure activities (restaurants, museums, parks, golf courses, etc.) A four-star rating indicates the county finished in the top 25 percent of the top 200 list in a category, while one star would indicate the bottom 25 per cent. Oconee County has 4 star ratings in Education, Low Crime and Low Pollution. Received 2 star ratings in Access to Health Care and Leisure Activities.<br /><br />For the entire article go to www.pfbestplaces.com<div class="blogger-post-footer">Athens Georgia Real Estate</div>Burton Real Estate &amp; Developmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08818859657451845676noreply@blogger.com