About Our Cover

About Our Premier Issue’s Cover

Recently a prominent "money" magazine rated Harrisburg, PA 267th out of the top 300 cities to live in, in the United States.

That’s fine if you a) live in a city rated above 267, or b) you don’t care.

We at MODE decided a) because we did live in a city rated 267, and b) we did care, that this article was unfair to the city of Harrisburg, and downright insulting to the people who choose to live here. We believe this to be so true that we dedicated our premier issue’s cover to topic.

First and most disconcerting is the fact that the folks rating these 300 cities only visited the top 10 and bottom 5 , leaving 285 cities to be rated on statistical data and subjective opinion only. That’s fair. Second, why in the world rate 300 cities. Because you have statistical data for 300? Wouldn’t you agree that rating the top 100 cities would make more sense? By rating 300 cities, it appears to me that this "money" magazine is sending a message to its readers that the bottom 150 cities are places you probably don’t want to live. If you were looking over this list, would you consider the bottom cities?

As relative newcomers to Harrisburg, We’re proud of our decision to move here. Would we have moved if we had read this "money" magazine’s article? Of course, but because we visited Harrisburg several times and discovered how wonderful the people are and what great things the city has to offer. How many other cities do you know of that own their own baseball team?

We believe Harrisburg, PA should NOT be included in any further surveys or lists published by this "money" magazine. If you feel the same, tell them! Harrisburg is a wonderful city, as are many that probably came in at the bottom of that list. Until that magazine visits each and every city before they pass judgment all we can say is: 267th, Are You Kidding!

We urge you to read this article yourself. You’ll have to go to the library or borrow a friend’s because the July issue is on longer on the newsstands. But, as of the printing of this issue, the above internet address will take you directly to the Harrisburg, PA page within the "money" magazine’s web site. (They make it simple to browse their site, don’t they?)

Originally published: July, 1996