Reprinted with permission of the News-Register. Find more News-Register stories about Linfield College here.
Jan. 18, 2016
By Starla Pointer of the News-Register
“Sunset editors searched the West, from the Arizona desert to the Washington coast, to find towns, cities and neighborhoods that are easy to love,” according to a “Welcome Home” story listing top places in five categories.
McMinnville was named first runner-up to the much larger Ogden, Utah, in the “Best Medium-Size Town” category. Missoula, Montana, also much larger, and Laramie, Wyoming, about the same size, were the other runners-up in the category.
The listing noted Mac’s prominent place in Willamette Valley wine country, along with its “charming architecture” and proximity to Portland and the Pacific Coast.
“McMinnville has been drawing young chefs and entrepreneurs,” Sunset said, and its showcase downtown drag earned a “Great Street” award last year from the American Planning Association.
The magazine named Claremont, California, “Best Suburb;” Bisbee, Arizona, “Best Small Town;” Santa Barbara, California, “Best Sustainable Community;” and Seattle’s Beacon Hill “Best City Neighborhood.”
Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood earned runner-up honors in the “City Neighborhood” category. It’s the only other location in Oregon earning mention in the report.