12:28 PM PST on Monday, March 6, 2006

By ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

Housing prices gripes aside, Portlanders and Hood Riverites have long known their cities are among the best places in the country to live. Now a men’s magazine has confirmed it.

kgw.com

Children play in the Salmon Street Fountain in downtown Portland.

Men's Journal chose the “50 Best Places to Live” for its April issue and Portland and Hood River are on the list labeled "Best of the Best" and "Most Active Town", respectively.

Eugene also made the list, under the category best “Singles Scenes” and Bonanza, Ore. made the list for best “Hideouts”.

The magazine polled its writers and editors to find the best places for someone wanting to live an active and adventurous life. Most were reluctant to share their secrets, but now the cat is out of the bag.

Broken down into a variety of categories to appeal to a broad range of interests, the "Best of the Best" picks on the list feature the winners for the perfect combination of adventure, attractiveness and affordability.

In addition to Portland, Austin, Tex. and Boulder, Colo. can be found in that category and display an ideal mix of activities, culture, affordability and good nightlife.

The “50 Best” list offers picks for cities and towns that enable people to be healthy, fit and active that also offer a high quality of living.

The April issue of Men’s Journal hits newsstands on March 7.