Greensburg, KS

Greensburg is a quiet, friendly town in southwestern Kansas with a story unlike almost anywhere else. For decades, it was best known for the Big Well, a massive hand-dug well dating back to the late 1800s. That all changed in May 2007 when a massive tornado destroyed nearly the entire town. Rather than letting the community fade away, residents chose to stay and rebuild Greensburg from scratch with an eye toward the future.

ATTRIchabod / CC BY-SA 3.0

That rebuilding effort turned Greensburg into a model for green living, with 100 percent renewable energy and some of the most eco-friendly buildings in the country. For people considering a move, the town offers a brand-new K-12 school, modern healthcare facilities, and a tight community where neighbors genuinely look out for one another. Between catching up over milkshakes at the Kiowa County soda fountain and enjoying the open prairie skies, it is a peaceful, welcoming place to put down roots.