Affordable Homes in Communities
With Good Schools and Low Crime

Some suburbs with good schools and low crime close to big cities are affordable for families making $50,000 to $60,000 a year, according to Sperling's Best Places research published in Business Week. Here are homes in three such towns.

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PLACE/PRICE: Matthews, N.C. / $249,900
TAXES*: $2,273
THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2,920 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 1991 two-story was custom built on a corner lot. It has hardwood floors in the foyer, great room, kitchen and powder room. There is a large screened porch overlooking the backyard.
NOTABLE: Matthews, located 10 miles from uptown Charlotte, offers a median home price of $205,200 and a cost-of-living index of 104.6, with 100 being the national average. Its violent-crime index is a mere 29.

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PLACE/PRICE: Roswell, Ga. / $250,000
TAXES*: $2,123
THE PROPERTY: 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2,492 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 1994 stucco-front home has bay windows in the dining room and a fireplace in the two-story family room, which is open to the kitchen. The master bathroom has a vaulted ceiling and a walk-in closet.
NOTABLE: Roswell, located 20 miles from downtown Atlanta, has a median home price of $304,000 and a cost-of-living index of 126.6, with 100 being the national average. Its violent-crime index is 29.

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PLACE/PRICE: Castle Rock, Colo. / $345,000
TAXES*: $3,856
THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,819 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 2000-built home has a main-floor study with double French door entry. The two-story family room has a gas fireplace. There is a full walk-out basement, a covered deck and a three-car garage.
NOTABLE: Although about an hour commute to and from downtown Denver during rush hour, the median home price is just $240,000. The cost-of-living index is 133.4 and the violent-crime index is 22.

*Current owner's payment

Sources: businessweek.com, bestplaces.net, hussmmh.com, broylesteam.com, thekirkteam.com

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