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.

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.