Apex ranks ninth for best place to live in America

The magazine noted the town’s 400 acres of parks and recreational facilities, its annual jazz festival and still-affordable housing as part of its charm. It listed the median home price for Apex as $225,000.

“The ranking for Apex as one of the elite communities in the country brings credit to our citizens who exhibit daily the spirit and engagement that it takes to make a community great,” Mayor Keith Weatherly said in a statement. “The Town Council and staff work hard with our residents to maintain the quality of life that Apex is famous for.”

Apex is the only North Carolina municipality to make the list. The town was ranked No. 14 on Money Magazine’s list in 2007, and it garnered the No. 3 spot for “best place to move to” by Forbes.com in 2009.

Apex Town Manager Bruce Radford said an event is being planned to celebrate the latest designation.

Money Magazine started with 1,326 towns nationwide in the small-town category, then screened out communities based on the parameters. Highest weight was given to economic and housing factors.

Judges visited 36 towns, where they interviewed residents, assessed traffic, parks and gathering places, and considered intangibles such as community spirit.

Apex was third behind Sharon, Mass., and Louisville, Colo.

“Top 10 is nice,” Weatherly said. “But anyone who knows Apex would agree, no place really compares with our quality of life and unique small town, family-oriented environment.”