Databases & Websites by Subject

Booklists - Moving Places

A list of resources for people who are considering moving to another part of the country.

Comparative Sources

Consult these to compare cities across the country and view several different city rankings.

Ref 307.76 AME
America's Top Rated Cities - 4 volumes - 2008
Includes background and statistical information on 100 U.S. cities that have populations of at least 100,000.

Ref 307.76 AME
America's Top-Rated Smaller Cities: A Statistical Handbook - 2 volumes - 2008–2009
PProvides information on 111 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 99,999. Each entry includes background information, the city’s ranking in a variety of categories, and business and living statistics.

Ref 307.76 COM
The Comparative Guide to American Suburbs - 2007
Compares suburbs of the 60 largest metropolitan areas. Each metro section has individual community profiles and concludes with rankings in areas such as income and crime.

Ref 307.76 MOV
Moving & Relocation Directory - 2007–2008
Lists information for 121 popular relocation destinations in the U.S. Both metropolitan areas and smaller cities are included. Each entry contains information on local government, surrounding communities, major employers, media, shopping, and much more.

306.0973 SHA
50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family by Kathleen Shaputis - 2006
Offers descriptions and a section on "possible drawbacks" for each location.

307.76 SAV Also in Reference
Places Rated Almanac: The Classic Guide for Finding Your Best Places to Live in America by David Savageau - 2007
Rates and ranks 379 metropolitan areas by nine factors, including education, health care, crime, recreation, and climate.

307.76 SPE
Best Places to Raise Your Family: The Top 100 Affordable Communities in the U.S. by Bert Sperling - 2007
Provides facts and figures for the 100 rated locations, including the pros and cons of living in each community. This work also offers a list of the "Best of the Best" cities and ranks the best places for standard of living, education, lifestyle, and health and safety.

307.76 SPE - Also in Reference
Cities Ranked & Rated: More Than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada by Bert Sperling - 2004
Compares and contrasts cities in ten categories, including economy and jobs, cost of living, and health and health care.

648.9 ROM
Insiders' Guide to Relocation by Beverly D. Roman - 2004
Provides advice on relocating to a new community and offers tips on researching new areas. The last chapters provide snapshots of popular relocation destinations across the U.S.

Information about Specific Places

In addition to the resources listed below, you can search for books on individual cities or states by using SWAN, the online catalog.

Ref 307.76 PRO
Profiles of America: Facts, Figures & Statistics for Every Populated Place in the United States - Volume 3: Central Region - 2003
Contains profiles of all counties and communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Ref 317.3 COM
Community Sourcebook of ZIP Code Demographics - 2008
Provides statistics on demographics, income, and more arranged by ZIP code.

Ref 317.3 COU
County and City Extra - 2006
Contains maps and tables of statistical information for all U.S. states, counties, metropolitan areas, and cities of 25,000 or more. Includes basic population data from the 2000 census, as well as information on housing, income, and education.

Ref 381.1 EDI
Editor & Publisher Market Guide - 2009
Provides brief market and demographic information for over 1,600 U.S. and Canadian cities. This publication offers facts and figures that could be of use to those seeking information on smaller cities. Topics include transportation, principal industries, shopping centers, restaurants, and colleges and universities.

Ref 381.1 LIF
The Lifestyle Market Analyst - 2008
Combines both population data and lifestyle information for over 200 cities and metropolitan areas. Though geared toward marketers, Section I provides interesting insight into the fitness, home life, hobbies, and leisure activities of residents in a particular location.

Retirement Places Rated

These sources can help you find the best place to live after retiring.

305.26 AME
America’s 100 Best Places to Retire - 2007
Criteria include cost of living, climate, housing costs, health care, and tax rates.

305.26 BLA
Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada by Warren R. Bland - 2005
Twelve comparisons and rating tables help readers find upscale communities.

305.26 SAV
Retirement Places Rated: What You Need to Know to Plan the Retirement You Deserve by David Savageau - 2007
Rates almost 200 cities and towns, ranking each according to cost of living, climate, services, and other important criteria.

Magazine Collection

Where to Retire
Bimonthly magazine with articles on places to retire and things to think about when retiring.

Additional Sources of Information

*Ref 070 BAC
Bacon’s Newspaper Directory - 2009
Arranged geographically, this guide provides a list of the newspapers in a community. Subscribing to a newspaper in advance of the move will yield information on town events, real estate, and local concerns. This volume is part of a set that also offers listings of radio, television, and cable stations in a particular location.

Ref 027.25 AME
American Library Directory - 2 volumes - 2008–2009
Provides the names and contact information for libraries in the United States and Canada. A visit to the local library when you are house hunting may yield helpful information.

Ref 060 WOR
World Chamber of Commerce Directory - 2008
Provides the contact information for local chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus in the United States and abroad. These organizations may offer a great deal of information about their respective communities.

Ref 370.58 PAT
Patterson’s American Education - 2008
Contains the names, addresses, phone numbers, and principalsÆ names for public and private secondary schools in the U.S.

Ref 370.58 PAT
Patterson's Elementary Education - 2008
Contains the names, addresses, phone numbers, and principals' names for public and private elementary schools in the U.S.

Useful Websites

The Internet also has valuable information on moving and relocation. Most cities have websites, and you may be able to find local newspapers online. Try looking at the sites of realtors, visitors bureaus, or chambers of commerce for your future home, as well. Here are some additional websites you may find useful:

American FactFinder
Get a fact sheet on any community to learn more about that population’s characteristics. Information comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Best Places to Live
Learn more about Money Magazine’s choices for the best places to live in the U.S. A number of other rankings are available, as well as a listing of the top cities within each state.

CityRating.com
Offers city guides, school rankings, and statistics for a select number of U.S. cities.

SchoolMatters
Find information about individual public schools or compare different schools. The website includes tables, graphs, and data on school performance, safety, and staffing.

Prepared by Bonnie Reid, March 2009