National List Ranks Westford No. 11 Place to Live

Are there any better towns to live in than Westford? If there are, it's a short list, according to one national publication.

CNN Money Magazine recently released its Top 50 Best Places to Live list, and named Westford No. 11.

"You'd never guess that this seemingly rural town, dotted with apple orchards and lakes, is also home to a bevy of high-tech jobs at companies like Red Hat and Juniper Networks," the article said. "But tech firms form the town's economic backbone."

The article went on to praise Westford for its conservation land, beaches, ski area, and close proximity to Boston.

We asked Westford Patch readers what their favorite part about living in Westford is, and the answers varied.

"My husband and I just moved here in June and I have to say, I love EVERYTHING!," Westford Patch Facebook follower Tracy Lockwood Russell posted. "The farmers market, the friendly neighbors, the hiking trails."

Below are a few more responses from Patch readers:

Cheryl Dyer: Its the people. The people in this town really care about their neighbors. I have a personal story that I always tell people about how a gas station attendant in nab handed me cash when he realized I was heading out of town for an interview and I'd forgotten my wallet. He just said "pay me back later and go get that job!" I moved out of town for a short whole but came back when I realized how rare it is to find people like that.

Danielle Angiolillo Thompson: Has the charm of an old town, and the friendliest people. With the modern indulgences of Burtons Grill and Pure Barre. Love the farmers markets, concerts on the common and library events, the parks and beaches, live entertainment at British Beer Company, Kimball's ... must i go on? It's an all inclusive town, that still feels like a town.

Heather Kuhl FitzPatrick: I was leery about moving here because my husband owns a business in town. But now that we are here, I love it! Can't say way exactly - the people, the rail trail, the orchards, the rural parts, the commercial being mostly on Route 110, the ponds, the playgrounds, the library, etc.

Cori Ryan: We lived in Woburn when we married and when it was time to pick a place to call home, I suggested we purchase a home in Westford. Today I love the ability to have horseback riding lessons on one side of town one night a week and to be able to travel in the other direction for adult archery class at the Westford Sportsmen's Club. I also enjoy the familiar faces when we eat a late breakfast at Mario's and I always order "The Nab." My last thought is that I have never had a bad flavor of ice cream at Kimball's in almost two decades of loyalty, and I love the smell of apples when I drive by the apple trees in the fall air.

While many residents praised Westford's ranking on the CNN list, it wasn't a unanimous sentiment. On a "Speak Out" posting on the subject, Westford Insider was among the residents who believed the town's ranking was too high.

"Didn't the Lowell Sun just publish a story comparing Westford's budgetary issues to that of Detroit?!," Westford Insider posted. "There is a looming $25 million deficit and the Town Manager is all roses, it's called playing both sides of the fence. No money to fairly pay teachers (many flocking elsewhere due to poor pay/ treatment in Westford), firemen are two years with no contract and have a pending lawsuit against town, then it's "we are facing huge budget deficit." But Money Mag calls and its rose colored lenses!"

So what's your take on the town's ranking? Is Westford getting too much praise? Should the town be even higher than No. 11? Keep the conversation going in the comments section below.