Yep, our town made it onto yet another list. Seems like this happens about once, maybe twice a week now. The latest? AARP designated Eau Claire as one of the “10 Best Places to Live on $100 a Day.”

After narrowing the list down to 200 places by income, AARP decided to look at what makes life worth living: the arts, culture, college, and community. As shown below, AARP chose Eau Claire for “Family-friendly values with a progressive twist.” Maybe we should put that on the sign outside of town.

AARP did get one thing right; we do have a lot of culture with the university and free concerts (not to toot our own horn, but rooty toot toot) throughout the summer. The ability to get outdoors with the river and trails are big attractions too.

As the only Midwest city to make the list, "spunky little Eau Claire" must be doing something right ...

Eau Claire, Wis.

Vibe: Family-friendly values with a progressive twist

Sunny days per year: 200

Median home price: $121,100

Fans say spunky little Eau Claire is something of a Midwestern throwback — safe, friendly and a solid family-oriented community. Recent redevelopment has seen the rise of downtown loft apartments and Phoenix Park, as well as popular (and free!) concerts throughout the summer. A branch of the University of Wisconsin provides plenty of cultural and entertainment programming. (Those 60 and older can audit courses for no cost.) And locals say volunteerism is a significant part of the town's character. But the rolling hills and river valleys that surround the area are also a lure, offering plenty of boating, fishing, camping and more than 70 miles of biking, cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. And residents love the fact that when they crave an urban experience, the Twin Cities are just 90 miles away.

– AARP