What are some of the best mid-sized US cities in your opinion?

My mom is contemplating a move somewhere but she doesn't know where to go. She wants to live in a mid-sized city (not too big but not too small) that is growing but not growing too fast. It has to be fairly safe, clean, attractive, and have somewhat affordable housing or apartments available. What is your opinion on the best mid-sized city in the US? Please explain. daniel

Public Comments

1. detriot, compton, harlem, watts, st louis, richmond ca, camden, cincy, new orleans, philly, just to name a few clean attractive cities. What? don't be so shallow ahahahahahah
2. depending on what you are looking for or where i would recommend college towns. for example U of I located in Champaign. i have visited there and its REALLY nice place to be around, downtown is nice, but its not to big ( like chicago(where i live)) anyways college towns are reallly nice.
3. The answer to this question all depends on what your mother is looking for and what her priorities are. Does she need to work, or is she retired? Another person suggested a midwest college town. I will agree with that. The most beautiful and cleanest city I have visited has to be Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It also boast a great academic community and is rather artsy considering it is surrounded by a substantial farm economy. Also, Des Moines and Omaha and Lincoln are similar. If she is on a budget, and would like a warmer climate, then I suggest any place in Texas. The state is steadily growning. There are a plenty of interesting things to do there, and it is dirt CHEAP compared to the rest of the nation. Please consider this.......visit a place first and make some friends. Even find some friends on the Internet first, and then try a visit. Do your research! I have known to many people that have moved on a whim and have disliked their choice after the fact.
4. I'd recommend Pittsburgh, which is where I live. It is safe, very affordable, and has lots of nice parks. You can buy a house or find an apt. that is v. reasonable. You get the four seasons, but the winter's not v. snowy and the summer not overly hot. Culturally, it's hard to beat it, and we have some of the best hospitals/healthcare in the world. I would not say that Pittsburgh is growing. But it does have a very neighborhood, small town feel and the people are friendly. Most of the residents are native Pittsburghers (it's something like 75%). I'd recommend coming here for a visit and seeing if you like it.