The article based its decision on the quality of life in towns with a population of 4,000people or more. It also took into consideration housing prices, median incomes commute time, access to public land, trophy size and whether hunting and fishing was available year round.
Since it was Outdoor Life magazine, a greater emphasis was placed on the hunting opportunities. Residents of Helena agree that outdoor hunting and fishing aficionados have been a driving force in the real estate market for years.
