48. Edmond, Okla.

This small city is home to about 93,000 residents, many of whom know that Arcadia Lake is a terrific spot for fishing bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish and largemouth bass. (Edmond also boasts Twin Bridges Lake.) The University of Central Oklahoma, one of the state’s fastest-growing educational institutions, is a major employer; supermarket chain Homeland is also based here.

Around town you’ll find almost two dozen recreational parks plus two other universities: Herbert W. Armstrong College and Oklahoma Christian University. The beloved Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, an annual tradition for almost 40 years, presents works by more than 100 artists from all over the country. The city is also committed to promoting public art through murals, stained glass, and steel sculptures. On the sporting side of things, Edmond boasts two rugby clubs—and Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Shannon Miller grew up here.

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