Vote on the Coolest Small Towns in America

Every year, Budget Travel surveys readers to gain ideas for their "Coolest Small Towns" fall issue. Then they filter the candidates using the following definition:

A Coolest Small Town is a town of under 10,000 residents that's beginning to draw attention—and new residents—because of the quality of life, arts, and restaurant scene, or proximity to nature. We want towns with an edge, so think avant-garde galleries, not country stores.

As you can see, I'm not alone in hankering for small town life with a slice of sophistication. Nor am I the only one who believes it exists!

We are now at the next step in selection process, where readers get to vote on the finalists. There are currently 22 towns in the running for 2009's Top Ten Coolest Small Towns, and I've only been to one: the wily, mountaintop bohemia that is Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

So my vote is no surprise. But yours is. Check out the finalists - from Silverton, Oregon, to Owego, New York - and place your vote here.

p.s. Anyone been to Onancock, Virginia? I feel sheepish that I'm not familiar with the lone candidate from my home state!