6. Colorado Springs, Colo.

U.S. News & World Report analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life, job market prospects and value of living. Colorado Springs ranked No. 6. Denver has been on the list and continues to flash growth, but the hotter metro is Colorado Springs. Located along the I-25 corridor, 60,000 cars travel this stretch of highway each day, a significantly high number and something for expanding retailers to consider, says Travis Heiser, president of IMST Corp.