2 SoCal cities make 'Best Places to Live' list

This year, Money's annual report examined 746 cities with populations between 8,500 to 50,000 and narrowed the list down by removing areas that had significant job losses, low salaries, overly expensive housing or poor school systems, in its judgment.

Irvine ranked 22nd.

"Welcome to one of the most educated towns in America. This diverse Orange County community, which ranked No. 4 on MONEY's Best Places to Live list in 2008, was founded in the 1960s when the /*University of California*/'s Irvine campus was built. The university is still the town's largest employer, but others, including /*Broadcom*/, have moved in. Given California's massive budget problems, which threaten university funding, that's a good thing", Money Magazine reported.

Yorba Linda comes in 38th.

Money Magazine says, "Yorba Linda has 100 miles of horse trails, but this Orange County community is more than just an equestrian's paradise. Just 45 minutes from Los Angeles, it's an affluent city with top school districts, extensive shopping and dining, and access to dozens of nearby golf courses."

Eden Prairie, Minn., won the top spot in the annual survey.