HUNTINGTON -- Huntington may not be included in Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" this year, but some say that's a matter of opinion.

The magazine looked at factors such as income, job growth, housing, education and health. No city in West Virginia, Kentucky or Ohio made the top 100.

"It's all relative because the criteria that one magazine uses is different than what another magazine uses," said Kim Harbour, director of marketing and c

For example, Forbes ranked Huntington the 100th-best place for business and careers this year, and Southern Business & Development magazine recently ranked Huntington among its top 10 small towns.

Money Magazine reports a median family income of $44,651 in Huntington, compared with the top 10 cities' average of $93,075. A job growth rate of minus 8.05 percent was reported for Huntington from 2000 to 2007, compared with an average 18.72 percent growth in top cities.

The median family income in Ashland was $48,015, and $58,629 in Charleston, according to the rankings.

Harbour works with the Come Home to West Virginia campaign, an effort of the Department of Commerce to tell former residents and people living in metropolitan areas about the quality of life in West Virginia.

Harbour said many people in surrounding states recognize West Virginia as centrally located, safe and friendly with low-cost housing and lots of recreation. The Come Home campaign works to update them on what else is happening here, she said.

"We can build on those positive perceptions to promote things that they may not be aware of," Harbour said.

Harbour grew up in Wayne County and attended Marshall University, but later spent 10 years living in New York and seven years living in Los Angeles. Moving back to the area three years ago (she now lives in Hurricane) gives her children a safe place to grow up, she said. Her quality of life has improved, even if it meant taking a pay cut.

Harbour also went from having very high homeowners association dues to having a less expensive, custom log home with land.

"You're paying less for a comfortable house in a safe neighborhood with hopefully less commute time and traffic," she said.

She said growth in Huntington, such as that at Pullman Square, also is exciting.

Harbour said many people may not realize the opportunities that exist in West Virginia, including the large cluster of biometrics companies in North Central West Virginia or the aerospace and automotive parts manufacturing sector.

Gov. Joe Manchin also has reported positive changes in the state's business climate, including more than $4.7 billion of business investments in the state since 2005.