The Best Small Town You've Never Heard Of

"Exeter has long been a preferred place to live in the citrus and cattle country near the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These days, downtown Exeter throbs with local energy as people fill sidewalks, shops, offices, restaurants and gathering places. Storefront vacancies are rare, and litter even rarer."

"In recent years, city boosters have started a mural program that has really taken off, and the arts have become a larger presence in downtown."

"How has this small farm town in a remote location done it? Aggressive planning, maintaining high standards for development and civic pride, says the longtime city planner."