It's almost August which means it's time for Outside Magazine to once again rank the best towns in America.

Determining which towns are the "best" is naturally a very subjective task; what is best for you, might not be best for me. And, if you are not a fan of Outside Magazine and the active, outdoor lifestyle it promotes, you probably won't be a fan of their "best" towns either.

The magazine seeks out towns that are "fit, fun & packed with adventure," and then gives the reader a rundown of the local job situation, housing market, and, of course, "the greatest places to play."

This year the magazine has narrowed down their list by focusing on different regions of the country. The final "best towns" and all the details aren't currently online yet, but you can probably pick up the August edition at your local newsstand today. In the meantime, here they are:

West Coast: Santa Cruz
Rocky Mountains: Jackson
Midwest: Iowa City
Northwest: Bend
Southwest: Santa Fe
Great Lakes: Duluth
Southeast: Ashville
East Coast: Portland
New England: Burlington

(Photo of Portland, Maine by Decor8, via Flickr)

Filed under: United States