Hunt Country Stable Tour Returns For 65th Year Providing A Rare Look At Equine Life In Virginia Horse Country

After a brief hiatus, the popular Hunt Country Stable Tour returns this year for its 65th anniversary, taking visitors through the gates of historic and private properties to experience a variety of horses and equestrian activities. The event takes place on Memorial Day Weekend— Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special hours at some venues. The tour is self-driving and tickets are available online here. The cost is $40 per person (plus taxes and fees) and tickets are for both days of the tour. There is no charge for children 10 and under.

Highlights of the tour include a chance to go behind the scenes at Kinross and Poplar Grange Farms, two private equine estates with an array of horses in training. At Kinross, horses are trained for three-day eventing and fox hunting, while Poplar Grange trains jumpers and steeplechase horses. Both properties provide incredible facilities and spectacular views of the rolling hills of horse country.

At Oak Spring Farm, established by the late Paul and Bunny Mellon, visitors can explore the renowned hunter and jumper barns. The Mellons, notable figures in the equestrian world, bred internationally acclaimed horses including Sea Hero, winner of the Kentucky Derby. Notable visitors to the Mellons' stables included Jacqueline Kennedy, who enjoyed foxhunting with the famed Piedmont Fox Hounds.

The Piedmont Fox Hounds are the oldest hunt in the United States and will be at Trinity Church in Upperville (9108 John S. Mosby Hwy., Upperville) on Saturday at 9 a.m. It's an opportunity for all ages to watch the huntsman demonstrate working with his hounds using a horn and voice commands and mingle with the hounds.

The venue at Old Denton provides a unique experience to gain a newfound appreciation for mules as visitors will see firsthand their abilities across diverse disciplines such as dressage, western reining, and foxhunting. A carriage drive will also be part of this stop.

Additional demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend at various times and locations. Polo matches will be held both days at Phipps Field. The Middleburg Training Center will open Saturday morning only from 7 to 9 a.m. for visitors who wish to watch jockeys and trainers exercise Thoroughbred race horses.

The tour also includes Stoke Farm and Welbourne Inn, historic estates dating back to the 1800s. Welbourne will host historical reenactors who will recount some of the property’s history, which includes famous guests such as F. Scott Fitzgerald to Thomas Wolfe and others. Visitors to Stoke will be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the rolling hills, verdant valleys, and distant mountain ranges while being enamored by the Ashland Bassets, Virginia’s oldest foot hunting pack, with the opportunity to get up close and personal.

Horse lovers can visit mares and foals at Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE), a 420-acre equine health and nutrition research facility. Salamander Resort will open its stables to showcase horses and students from local therapeutic riding programs, allowing attendees to engage with these special horses and volunteers. Learn more of the heritage of country pursuits with a tour of rare book and art collection at The National Sporting Library & Museum.

Proceeds from the tour benefit Trinity Ministries, providing financial support to organizations that enhance and enrich the lives of people in need.

For more information on the Hunt Country Stable Tour and its exciting line up of properties and experiences, visit https://trinityupperville.org/hunt-country-stable-tour.

Discover Virginia Gardens & Events During The National Cherry Blossom Festival®

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Visitors are encouraged to explore beyond the Tidal Basin during this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival®, as Fairfax County, Virginia is home to numerous beautiful gardens, cherry trees, and official Festival events. Celebrate Japanese culture and heritage at several exhibits, stroll cherry-tree lined, lakeside gardens, or get hands-on at a multitude of events during the 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival®, taking place March 20 – April 12. Peak bloom dates are expected March 27 – 30, 2020. For up-to-date information, visit http://www.fxva.com/cherryblossom.

Key Fairfax County events and exhibits for this year's Festival include:

March 20 to April 12 - Fairfax County's Festival Central at the Fairfax County Visitor Center
The official Fairfax County Visitor Center in Tysons Corner Center (on 2nd level outside Nordstrom) is "Festival Central" in Fairfax County. The public is invited to stop in for free souvenirs, Festival schedules and the latest information on activities throughout the region. On March 28, the Center will host its annual National Cherry Blossom Festival® Day with a special event from 1pm – 3pm with craft demonstrations, free gifts, and more! (http://www.fxva.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-center; 703-752-9500)

March 28 – Spring Fling Tour through the Woods at Frying Pan Farm Park
Take a spring trek on Frying Pan Farm Park's nature trail to experience the changes of the season. Visit special stations throughout the trail to build a fairy house, keep a tally of all the birds seen at the park, search for critters, and enjoy Japanese teas at the historic Frying Pan Meeting House. Stop by the Indoor Arena first for a map and instructions. Admission is free. (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park; 703-437-9101)

March 29 – Cherry Blossom STEM Day at the Lab at Children's Science Center Lab
Visitors to the Children's Science Center Lab can learn about cherry blossoms and the Festival through hands-on activities and experiments inspired by the flower throughout the entire lab. The Lab is open from 10am – 6pm. Admission is $13/person. Lab located inside Fair Oaks Mall. (https://childsci.org/; 703-648-3130)

April 4 & 5 – Art Blooms at Mosaic
Spring has sprung at Mosaic! Stop by Strawberry Park from 11am – 6pm for Art Bloom, where we celebrate the Cherry Blossom season with an art show, live entertainment, a farmers market, kids activities, and a handmade and vintage gift fair with URBNmarket. Free to attend, additional items available for purchase. (https://mosaicdistrict.com; 703-992-7832)

April 5 – Tour of the Bonsai Pavilion and Bonsai Care Demonstrations at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens' new Bonsai Pavilion and learn about this ancient and fascinating art from members of the Northern Virginia Bonsai Society. This special event will occur from 1pm – 4pm. Garden admission is $6. (https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens; 703-255-3631)

April 11 – Second Saturday Art Walk: Cherry Blossom Bonanza! at the Workhouse Arts Center
Enjoy art work inspired by the spring blooms in all of the Workhouse galleries, grab a specialty cocktail at the themed bar, participate in a scavenger hunt, snap photos with the newly-decorated LOVEworks sign, and admire the property's own cherry trees during the Second Saturday Art Walk. The Workhouse will feature extended hours for the Art Walk (6-9pm), though the building and Lucy Burns Museum open at 11am. Admission is always free. (http://www.workhousearts.org/; 703-584-2900)

In addition to these cultural events and activities, visitors can plan self-guided tours of the region's most splendid gardens, including these not-to-miss sites (check with the individual gardens for hours of operation):

• River Farm, a historic 25-acre site on the banks of the Potomac River that was once part of George Washington's original five farms and is now the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society.
• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a 90-acre oasis featuring more than 100 cherry trees surrounding a lovely lake, plus an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms and the very unique Korean Bell Garden.
• Green Spring Gardens, an outdoor classroom, national historic site, and museum featuring a wooded stream, a valley with ponds, a native plant garden, over 20 thematic demonstration gardens, and a greenhouse filled with tropical plants.

For more details on National Cherry Blossom Festival® signature events, peak bloom dates, special deals and offers from the hospitality community, and even more, visit http://www.fxva.com/cherryblossom.

Visit Fairfax (http://www.fxva.com) is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, Virginia. Charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, it is directed by many of the County's top tourism and hospitality leaders. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/visitfairfaxva), Twitter (@VisitFairfax), and Instagram (@VisitFairfax) for all Fairfax County events and activities this Spring! Hashtag: #FXVA

The National Cherry Blossom Festival® is the nation's greatest springtime celebration. The 2020 Festival, March 20 - April 12, includes nearly four spectacular weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information, or check out Facebook (CherryBlossomFestival), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest) and Instagram (@CherryBlossFest).

SOURCE Visit Fairfax [Fairfax County Convention & Visitors Corp.]

The Williamsburg Lodge To Join Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels

THE WILLIAMSBURG LODGE TO JOIN

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL’S AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTELS

The Historic Colonial Williamsburg Property Joins the Distinctive Collection of Independent Properties in January 2017

Williamsburg, VA  – The Williamsburg Lodge, a four-star rated Forbes Travel Guide hotel and a member of the Historic Hotels of America collection, is thrilled to announce today that it has joined Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International’s distinctive portfolio of over 100 independent, one-of-a-kind hotels.

The vision behind Autograph Collection Hotels is to celebrate individuality and independence by creating an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent four and five star hotels. Each hotel is hand selected for its memorable guest experience, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details.

“We are thrilled to be joining Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels portfolio,” said Florencio Ferrao, Colonial Williamsburg’s Vice President of Hospitality. “It’s a perfect fit that will allow the Williamsburg Lodge to refresh and retain its individual personality while offering more value to our guests through enhanced services and access to the worldwide Marriott Rewards network.”

The Colonial Williamsburg Company, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s for-profit subsidiary, will continue to own and operate the Williamsburg Lodge. By joining Autograph Collection Hotels, Colonial Williamsburg will benefit from its reservation distribution system, while guests who are enrolled in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® loyalty program are able to earn points during hotel stays at The Williamsburg Lodge. These points can be redeemed for free holidays, flights, hotel rooms and merchandise, including jewelry, home furnishings, fashion and more. 

Comprised of seven distinct buildings, the Williamsburg Lodge features include 323 attractively-appointed guestrooms with modern amenities and furnishings inspired by the collections of Colonial Williamsburg’s celebrated Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum; 45,000 square feet of meetings and banquet space including two large ballrooms, 28 meeting rooms and four outdoor function areas; two Southern-inspired food and beverage outlets, Sweet Tea & Barley and Traditions; and access to The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club’s award-winning three golf courses as well as The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg’s world-class services and facilities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, two outdoor pools and indoor lap pool.

Opened in 1939 to provide comfortable accommodations for travelers to the historic town, the Williamsburg Lodge is one of the first Colonial Williamsburg hotels constructed under the guidance of John D. Rockefeller Jr., the founder and first benefactor of the town’s restoration.  From the original blue stone floors to the cypress accents and reproduction folk art, in every cozy nook and spacious expanse, the Lodge tells the story of its Virginia setting and the history of the town Rockefeller restored.

Additional information is available online at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com, by calling 855-296-6627, on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.

For further information on Autograph Collection Hotels, visit www.autographhotels.com.

OpenTable's 2015 Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants In America Revealed

After another long winter, OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations, today unveiled the 2015 Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants in America. These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

New restaurants made a strong showing in this year's awards, including 42 that opened in 2014 and one as recently as 2015. The complete list features award-winners in 25 states and Washington, D.C., and includes Gato in New York, RPM Steak in Chicago, and Spoon and Stable in Minneapolis. California boasts the greatest number of winning restaurants with 22, followed by Florida and New York with 13 each. Illinois and Texas have 11 and seven, respectively. Nevada has five winning restaurants, and Tennessee and Georgia have four. Louisiana, Minnesota, and South Carolina claim two winners apiece.

Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. are represented as well.
Global fare menus are fashionable, with standout restaurants serving Asian, Basque, Korean, Latin, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Polynesian dishes, among others. American cuisine, sushi, and steak are also popular.

"Whether they're new or well established, there's an intoxicating buzz in and around each of these restaurants," said Caroline Potter, OpenTable Chief Dining Officer. "With inspired concepts, energetic atmospheres, and incredible food and drink, these hot spots are where diners will experience delight and excitement in the year ahead."

The Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants in America are generated from more than 5 million restaurant reviews collected from verified OpenTable diners between March 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015. All restaurants with a minimum number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. Qualifying restaurants were then sorted according to a score calculated from each restaurant's average rating in the "hot spot" category along with a minimum "overall" rating.

Based on this methodology, the following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, comprise the Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants in America according to OpenTable diners.

2015 Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants in America

*Opened in 2014
**Opened in 2015

Adega Modern Mediterranean* – Cleveland, Ohio
Andrea's – Las Vegas, Nevada
B.B. King's Blues Club – Memphis, Tennessee
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits* – San Diego, California
Bâoli Miami – Miami Beach, Florida
Barton G. The Restaurant* – Los Angeles, California
Bathtub Gin – New York, New York
The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS Hotel South Beach – Miami Beach, Florida
Beauty and Essex – New York, New York
Bestia – Los Angeles, California
BO-beau kitchen + roof tap* – Long Beach, California
Buccan – Palm Beach, Florida
Buffalo Proper Plate & Pour* – Buffalo, New York
Cantina La Veinte* – Miami, Florida
Catch – New York, New York
Chino Latino – Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Church Key – West Hollywood, California
Ciccio's / Water – Tampa, Florida
Cleo-SLS* – Las Vegas, Nevada
Commissary at The Line Hotel* – Los Angeles, California
Cooks & Soldiers* – Atlanta, Georgia
Cork & Pig Tavern #2 – Odessa, Texas
Dirty French* – New York, New York
do Restaurant at the View – Atlanta, Georgia
Drunken Dragon* – Miami Beach, Florida
Edmund's Oast* – Charleston, South Carolina
El Camino Mexican Soul Food & Tequila Bar* – Delray Beach, Florida
El Vez – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fat Rice – Chicago, Illinois
Fig & Olive* – Chicago, Illinois
Fixe Austin* – Austin, Texas
Gato* – New York, New York
Geronimo – New Haven, Connecticut
Girl & the Goat – Chicago, Illinois
Gjelina – Venice, California
Graffiato* – Richmond, Virginia
The Grey* – Savannah, Georgia
Grille 401 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
HG SPLY CO – Dallas, Texas
The Hudson Room* – Peekskill, New York
Hydraulic Hearth* – Buffalo, New York
Ironside Fish & Oyster* – San Diego, California
Juju Asian Tapas + Bar** – Durham, North Carolina
Juniper & Ivy* – San Diego, California
Katana – West Hollywood, California
Kettner Exchange* – San Diego, California
Koi – West Hollywood, California
Kona Grill* – El Paso, Texas
La Esquina – New York, New York
The Lark – Santa Barbara, California
Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar – Boston, Massachusetts
Matador Room-The Miami Beach EDITION* – Miami Beach, Florida
Mercantile Dining and Provision* – Denver, Colorado
Momotaro* – Chicago, Illinois
MUA – Oakland, California
The Nest – Indian Wells, California
O-Ku – Charleston, South Carolina
Odd Duck – Austin, Texas
OSO* – Sonoma, California
Parachute* – Chicago, Illinois
Pitch Coal-Fire Pizzeria – Omaha, Nebraska
Prohibition Restaurant & Speakeasy* – Miami, Florida
Pump* – West Hollywood, California
The Purple Room – Palm Springs, California
Red Ginger – Traverse City, Michigan
Republique – Los Angeles, California
RoCA* – Des Moines, Iowa
Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar – Orlando, Florida
Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas* – Las Vegas, Nevada
RPM Italian – Chicago, Illinois
RPM Steak* – Chicago, Illinois
Shakou Sushi – Libertyville, Illinois
Sinema* – Nashville, Tennessee
Social Southern Table and Bar – Lafayette, Louisiana
Spoon and Stable* – Minneapolis, Minnesota
STK-NYC-Meatpacking – New York, New York
STK-The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nevada
STK-Washington, D.C.* – Washington, D.C.
Sub Zero Vodka Bar – St. Louis, Missouri
SumoMaya Mexican-Asian Kitchen – Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunda – Chicago, Illinois
Sur Restaurant – West Hollywood, California
Sushi POP – Oviedo, Florida
The Sutler* – Nashville, Tennessee
Tao Downtown – New York, New York
Tao Restaurant and Nightclub – Las Vegas, Nevada
Teak on the Hudson* – Hoboken, New Jersey
Three Dots and a Dash – Chicago, Illinois
Three Muses – New Orleans, Louisiana
Toku Modern Asian – Manhasset, New York
TORO – New York, New York
The Tropicale – Palm Springs, California
Uchi – Houston, Texas
Ulele* – Tampa, Florida
UMI – Atlanta, Georgia
Union 50* – Indianapolis, Indiana
Untitled – Chicago, Illinois
Virago – Nashville, Tennessee
Vitello's – Studio City, California
Whiskey Cake* – San Antonio, Texas

10 Best States For Retirement

• Contributed By Chris Kahn
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yahoo! Finance/Getty Images -

What are the best states for retirees? The popular answer seems to be anywhere along the Sun Belt, where retiring Americans have flocked for generations in search of sunshine, swimming pools and year-round golf.

Yet, if you consider other factors that are important for seniors, you'd find that some of the best spots are actually located farther north. Bankrate pored through a slew of key factors, including access to medical care, cost of living, local crime rates, state and local taxes -- as well as climate.

Here, in ascending order, is Bankrate's list of the 10 unexpectedly best states for retirement.

No. 10: North Dakota

Saddako/Shutterstock.comYes, it's frigid there. The 30-year average annual temperature in North Dakota is around 41 degrees, making it the coldest state in the continental U.S.

If you can handle the cold, North Dakota could be an excellent place to settle down. Consider its access to hospital care. There are five beds available for every 1,000 people in the state, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's tied for second-best in the country.

North Dakota also has the second-lowest crime rate in the nation, and the state and local tax burden, which takes into account income, sales, property and other taxes, is at a relatively mild 8.9 percent of income.

No. 9: Nebraska

Katherine Welles/Shutterstock.comThe Cornhusker State ranks at No. 9 on Bankrate's list for several reasons.

Nebraska residents have excellent access to hospital beds, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, and FBI statistics show that its crime rate is slightly lower than average. Its cost of living also is one of the lowest in the country, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, which tracks the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care in most major U.S. cities.

The state and local tax burden is near the national average at 9.7 percent, according to the Tax Foundation. And its 30-year average temperature is about 49.2 degrees, which is colder than the national average.

No. 8: Alabama

Shackleford-Photography/Shutterstock.comHome of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama boasts a trio of benefits that retirees may find alluring. It has some of the lowest local and state taxes in the nation. Its cost of living also is relatively low, especially for a Gulf Coast state. And its temperatures are among the warmest in the U.S.: Its average annual temperature of 63 degrees compares favorably to the national average, which is more than 10 degrees lower.

However, Alabama has relatively high crime rates, with 4,026 property and violent crimes per 100,000 people (compared to the national average of 3,253). And access to medical care isn't as good as the national average.

No. 7: West Virginia
Steve Heap/Shutterstock.comRetire in the heart of Appalachian coal country? Absolutely. West Virginia ranks No. 7 on Bankrate's list of great retirement states for three main reasons: It has a lower-than-average cost of living, boasts a lower-than-average crime rate, and residents also have better access to hospital beds than the national average.

And then there are the intangibles: The mountain ridges that ripple across the state are home to countless trout streams and hiking trails. Its vistas look like something sketched by Thomas Kinkade. And temperatures are right in the middle range for U.S. states. Last year, temperatures in Charleston, W.V., ranged between a low of 12 and a high of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and the 30-year state average is about 52 degrees.

No. 6: Virginia

Alfred Wekelo/Shutterstock.comVirginia isn't just for lovers. It's for seniors looking for an all-around good place to settle down.

The Old Dominion is better than average in most categories that Bankrate considered, including cost of living, warmer temperatures and access to physicians.With only 2,446 property and violent crimes per 100,000 people, Virginia has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Throw all of that in with Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Colonial Williamsburg, the Blue Ridge Parkway and other gems, and you have one of the best states in the U.S. for retirees.

No. 5: Virginia

SNEHIT/Shutterstock.comMississippi is the fourth Appalachian state (including Alabama, Virginia and West Virginia) to make the list so far, and we're only halfway through the ranking. Sensing a trend here?

The Magnolia State is not just one of the warmest in the U.S., it also has relatively low state and local taxes and a lower-than-average cost of living.

Those factors make Mississippi an accommodating place for retirees, even though its crime rate is a little higher than average. It also has only 178 doctors per 100,000 people -- one of the lowest physician-to-resident ratios in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

No. 4: Kentucky

Mark Ross/Shutterstock.comOne of the strongest benefits that Kentucky offers retirees is an extremely low cost of living. The Council for Community and Economic Research, or CCER, which collects data on the relative costs of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care in communities across the U.S., found that retirees in Kentucky are paying less than many of their counterparts across the country.

Bankrate, which analyzed CCER's data, found that Kentucky boasts the fifth-lowest cost of living in the nation.

The Bluegrass State also has warmer-than-average temperatures and a crime rate that's slightly lower than average.

No. 3: South Dakota

Jesse Kunerth/Shutterstock.comAnd the third-best state for retirement is ... South Dakota? That's right. The Mount Rushmore State may not be on many retirement wish lists, but it should be. What it lacks in warmth, it makes up for in a variety of ways.

South Dakota has the lowest crime rate in the nation. The Tax Foundation also says South Dakota residents have an estimated state and local tax burden of 7.6 percent, which is lower than every other state except Alaska. Its temperatures are on the chilly side, with a 30-year average of 46 degrees -- about the same as New York and Colorado.

No. 2: Louisiana

pisaphotography/Shutterstock.comBesides jazz and beignets, Louisiana offers retirees an excellent combination of low taxes (the Tax Foundation ranks it as the fourth lowest in the nation) and balmy weather. Louisiana has a 30-year average temperature -- that includes both winter lows and summer highs -- of 66.7 degrees. That's higher than every other state except Hawaii and Florida.

It also has better-than-average access to medical care and a relatively low cost of living.One major knock on Louisiana, however, is a crime rate that's among the highest in the nation. The FBI says there are 4,244 property and violent crimes per 100,000 people in Louisiana.

No. 1: Tennessee

Boykov/Shutterstock.comThat's right, Tennessee hits our No.1 spot. Its cost of living is the second lowest in the country, just behind Oklahoma, according to data collected from the Council for Community and Economic Research. And the Tax Foundation puts Tennessee's state and local tax burden as the third lowest in the nation.

Tennessee also ranked among the best in the country for access to medical care, and its weather is warmer than average.

All of those factors make Tennessee an excellent place for retirees, especially those on a tight budget and fixed income. There is still one main drawback, however. Tennessee's crime rate is among the worst in the U.S.


Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation; U.S. Census; 2011 FBI Uniform Crime Report; the Tax Foundation; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Western Regional Climate Center; Council for Community and Economic Research.

Source methodology: Medical statistics include number of hospital beds per 1,000 people from the Kaiser Family Foundation and number of doctors per 100,000 residents from the U.S. Census. Crime statistics of violent crimes and property crimes per 100,000 people are courtesy of the 2011 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Tax rates are based on an estimate of the state and local tax burden (income, sales, property and other taxes) by the Tax Foundation. Average temperatures over 30 years (from 1981-2010) come courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Western Regional Climate Center. Cost-of-living stats are from the Council for Community