CNN MONEY: Best Places to Live in 2010 - Money's list of America's best small cities

And the winners are...

These terrific small cities -- even now -- boast plenty of jobs, great schools, safe streets, low crime, lots to do, charm, and other features that make a town great for raising a family.

1. Eden Prairie, MN 2. Columbia/Ellicott City, MD 3. Newton, MA 4. Bellevue, WA 5. McKinney, TX

6. Fort Collins, CO 7. Overland Park, KS 8. Fishers, IN 9. Ames, IA 10. Rogers, AR

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Best Places to Live in 2010 : Top 100 - full list

Ranked 25. Gaithersburg, MD

Top 100 rank: 25

Population: 59,000

Compare Gaithersburg to Top 10 Best Places

Gaithersburg's ability to attract start-up companies has allowed it to rebound from the recession better than many other places. The town offers plenty of incubator-styled office space.

Large employers nearby include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

Gaithersburg is just an hour's train ride to D.C. and hour car ride to downtown Baltimore, so residents can work in either town - and soak up the culture of both. --Najib Aminy

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Ranked #30. Centreville, VA
Population: 54,000
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This historic town (it has some Civil War sites) is a close-knit suburban community with a great location.

Washington, D.C., is anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half away, depending on traffic. Centerville is also 20 minutes from Herndon, Tysons Corner, and Reston.

With major shopping centers nearby and the Bull Run Mountains an hour's drive away, Centerville lives up to its name. --N.A.

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Ranked #47. Alexandria, VA

op 100 rank: 47

Population: 145,000

Compare Alexandria to Top 10 Best Places

On the banks of the Potomac River, Alexandria offers a fusion of suburban and urban living that's just a stone's throw from the nation's capitol.

A strong government presence and a prosperous retail sector supports the local economy; many boutiques and locally owned stores lend a small-town vibe. The annual Festival of the Arts attracts nationally known artists. --N.A.

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