Mike Goodwin is reporting for the Times Union the city of Albany is the top place to live in the state of New York, according to U.S. News and World Report's latest ranking of best places to live in the U.S. Overall, Albany ranked 21st in the survey's annual catalog of top American metropolitan areas. U.S. News notes that homes in Albany sell for "less than the national median sale price" and the average income is higher than the national average. The story promotes life on Lark Street, noting the heart of the city's Center Square neighborhood features small businesses, galleries, churches and "wine shops featuring New York state vintages." The magazine also highlights Albany's proximity to the Adirondacks and Catskills as well as its architecture, both its residential brownstones and the State Capitol and the Empire State Plaza. Albany bested Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and New York City in the rankings. Huntsville, Ala., was rated the best place to live in the U.S., followed by. Colorado Springs, Colo., Green Bay, Wisc., Boulder, Colo., and San Jose, to round out the top five. Read the full story in the Times Union.