“I think it is important for young people to travel to see how things work and don’t work,” Brainard said. “Families and kids need to realize that not everyone lives like this. Sometimes you don’t even see that here. It’s also the parents’ job to make sure that students understand that there are a variety of places to live in. You can get exposure without living that way.”

But there is always room for improvement. In the Forbes.com article, Hamilton County received first-place ratings in nine out of 10 categories, excluding the category of air quality. Brainard said that the city government is making an effort to alleviate these environmental issues.

Such efforts include the 50 roundabouts that have been built in Carmel. Because of these nonelectric-dependent circles, this city now saves 24,000 gallons of gas per year per roundabout, according to a recent article in Time Magazine; however, the EPA still cites Hamilton County for having such coal and sulfur dependency, causing small particle discharges in the air. Various organizations throughout the county, such as City Centre Project, are trying to reduce this problem as well.

“We need to work with other energy besides coal,” Brainard said. “Even as a state we need to use electricity in a better way. That’s why (this city is) working on roundabouts.”

But even Eppley said that she cannot deny that the facilities that determined Hamilton County’s high ranking are deserving of high praise, including the Carmel Clay Public Library and over 800 acres of land for recreational parks. When Brainard first became mayor 13 years ago, there were only 40 acres of park. Also, “as land has been converted from farming to houses, tree cover has increased over 50 percent since this city was mostly farmland.” More trees have started growing since post-farmland development because of farmers clean-cropping them for land because “where people build houses trees come back,” he said. Much has changed in such little time, but no one is taking a break yet. It’s the massive amount of parks and the library that Eppley said she is truly grateful for, if nothing else.

“The Carmel Clay Public Library and parks here are really good and I’m grateful for that,” Eppley said. “They’re key sellers to Carmel and the schools here are amazing. Because of the education I received I know how to speak well.”

Hon said that she would prefer living in the county when she’s ready to settle with a family but will go wherever her future job takes her. However, Hamilton County isn’t off of her list of prospective places to raise her family. “It’s not out of the realm,” she said.