Those seeking a place to live, work or raise a family in a safe and secure environment should consider the Pacific Northwest, according to the fifth annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies.
The Seattle area encompassing Puget Sound topped all large metropolitan areas (population of 500,000 or greater) in the 2008 study. A high job growth rate and long life expectancy, along with minimal housing depreciation and lack of extreme weather contributed to the area’s top rating. The area is home to such Fortune 500 companies as Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Safeco Corp. and T-Mobile USA.
“The extremely clean air and the long life expectancy of Seattle’s residents also helped make the number one ranking,” according to Susan Bithell, Farmers vice president and Washington State executive director.
The rankings, compiled by database experts at www.bestplaces.net, took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. municipalities. The study divided the communities into three groups: large metropolitan areas, mid-size cities and small towns.
Farmers will conduct a special ceremony on May 13 to honor Seattle.
Farmers Group Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets.
Source: Farmers
Topics USA Agribusiness Washington
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