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Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer wants his wealth to help families here at home in the US

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steve ballmer

Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, may be one of the happiest retirees in tech.

He left Microsoft in 2014 and is now splitting his time between being the owner of the LA Clippers basketball team and helping his wife, Connie, run their charitable foundation, the Ballmer Group.

Business Insider met with Ballmer at the Code Conference in Los Angeles to talk about his favorite philanthropy projects. He was all smiles, relaxed, and happy to talk.

Without the demands of running a public company, he's clearly happy to be as public or as private as he wants to be. For instance, since he is no longer working for Microsoft, not even as a board member, he no longer has to report his holdings in the company, so he doesn't, although he's still widely known to be one of Microsoft's biggest shareholders. With the stock soaring to recent all-time highs, in the $70 range, Ballmer is worth an estimated $29 billion these days, up $2.85 billion in 2017 alone, Bloomberg reports.

The Ballmer Group doesn't publicly release its total grant budget either, the amount of money it pledges to give away. Forbes estimates that it's currently on track to give away at least $500 million based on the multi-million philanthropy pledges his foundation has announced. This includes a $37 million pledge to the University of Washington School of Social work, $11 million for scholarships to Washington residents in STEM fields, a $50 million pledge to the University of Oregon for scholarships and obesity prevention, and about $60 million to Harvard's computer science facility.

Steve Ballmer and Connie BallmerBallmer bats away the latter donations to his and his wife's alma maters as being ancillary to his real charitable goal: He's 100% focused on using his money to help the people struggling here in the US.

That means he's not trying to solve world poverty, bring fresh water to Africa, bring the internet to the farthest reaches of South America, or save species in the polar regions from going extinct. Though he thinks such efforts are admirable, Ballmer's goal is to make the American dream available to American kids who are shut out of it today.

"Every kid deserves an opportunity. Not every kid really has it," Ballmer told Business Insider. "If you have a rich parent, you are going to have a better opportunity than someone who has a very poor parent. But some people's opportunity, the chance that they will be higher up on the economic rung than their parents, is almost predestined at birth," he says.

Research shows that kids born to the poorest 20% of the nation have a 50% chance that they will remain that poor their whole lives, he says, citing Raj Chetty's research at the Equality of Opportunity Project.

Ballmer realizes that he's not going to singularly solve American poverty, so he's narrowed his focus to role-model projects in the Seattle area, home of Microsoft; Ballmer's hometown Detroit area; and LA, home of the Clippers. He's also a fan of funding not-for-profit agencies that mostly rely on government grants to do community work. He jokingly calls these agencies "government contractors," in contrast to the military contractors people usually think about when you use the term.

One of Ballmer's favorite examples of what he's trying to accomplish is a grant to support a community policing project at Harvard Park, a housing project in south LA. With the grant funding, individual policeman will be embedded in the community doing social work — everything from youth programs to beautifying the area. The idea is forge trust and relationships between residents and particular policemen so when tensions arise, people have someone to turn to.

While the program will ultimately be funded by the police department and tax dollars, the program needed some "startup money" to expand, he said. When the former gang member who is shepherding this project talked to Ballmer, he asked if one of the community projects could be to "bring back midnight basketball to the Harvard gym." BallmSteve Ballmerer loved the idea and even got some of his Clippers players to agree to show up and play. 

As to how he and his wife share the responsibility of running the foundation, which was her domain for many years, Ballmer diplomatically calls it a partnership, hinting that she basically told him he wasn't going to spend his whole time playing golf  — he belongs to a long list of exclusive golf clubs, plus travels the world to play — leaving her to continue running it on her own.

"She came to me and said, 'Come-on dude,' I was feeling a little lazy at the time," he laughs. "I have referred to myself as her wing man. And she's said, 'No you’re not. You're in the front seat with me.'" 

SEE ALSO: New York Times editor: There are 2 reasons the Trump administration has so many leaks

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TIGER WOODS: How the $740 million golfer makes and spends his money

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Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods was arrested early Monday morning in Florida and charged with driving under the influence.

This isn't the first time Woods has been embroiled in a scandal. His career was derailed by his affairs and subsequent divorce from his wife, and his return to golf has been marred by injuries.

But despite this, Woods is still worth an estimated $740 million and is one of the highest-paid athletes of all time. He still has plenty of cash to spend on yachts, private jets, and custom megamansions.

Take a look at how he spends it all, below.

Tony Manfred contributed reporting to a previous version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Injuries, infidelities, and poor choices: How Tiger Woods unraveled from the greatest golfer in the world

Tiger Woods has made more than $1.4 billion since turning pro in 1996.

Source: Golf Digest and Forbes



More than $110 million of that came from on-course winnings. He's No. 1 on the all-time money list, by far.

Source: PGA



But the real money comes from off the course. At his peak in the late 2000s, Woods made $100 million annually off the course. In 2016, he earned more than $45 million in endorsement deals and course-design fees.

Source: Forbes



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How to pick the right shoes for any color suit

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Whether you're buying your first suit or you already have a closet full of them, it's important to know what color shoes go with what color suits.

To answer that question, we've created a handy graphic that spells it out for you clearly and distinctly. Keep in mind that this is a baseline, and there are certain shades of brown or tan that will look better or worse with certain colors of suiting. This graphic will still keep you safe from any egregious missteps, however.

Commit it to memory — you're going to need it.

BI Graphics_How to match your shoes with your suit

SEE ALSO: Here's exactly how many days before a big event you should get a haircut

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NOW WATCH: 5 classic men's shoes for work and play

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings loves when other companies pick fights with him (NFLX)

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Reed Hastings

Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, recently had a big public fight with the French movie theater industry at the Cannes Film Festival.

And he couldn't be happier about it, he told attendees of the Code Conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"It’s been fantastic for us," he said. "Where someone picks a fight with us, that gets a lot of attention."

The dustup happened after two Netflix originals were included in the famous film festival. Representatives of the French theater industry, which plays an active role in the event, weren't happy that films from the streaming company that weren't planned for release in French theaters were getting promotion from the festival. 

When Netflix's films were shown, some people in the audience booed. Ultimately the festival — in a clear shot at Netflix — announced that all filmmakers who wanted to have their productions considered in next year's event had to commit to releasing them in theaters.

Hastings and other film industry experts think the theaters-only rule won't last. Internet streaming isn't going anywhere and it will be increasingly hard to convince film buffs that these films should be categorically ignored from such a major film festival, some say.

Cannes should focus on the artistic quality of movies, instead of being influenced by the politics and commercial leanings of festival's board of directors, Hastings said at the Code Conference. He charged that half of the festival's directors are in the French theater industry.

While it may seem like he lost the battle, Hastings smiled about the whole thing. The controversy drew attention and may mean that people will know about a movie that they may never have discovered or watched. 

"Sometimes the establishment is clumsy" when trying to squeeze out the up-and-comers "and it's the insurgents role to play that up," he said.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer wants his wealth to help families here at home in the US

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This beach estate is on the market for $48 million — 7,600% more than what its owners paid for it

The Obamas just shelled out $8.1 million for the DC mansion they've been renting since leaving the White House

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Obama Post White House

The Obamas have purchased the 8,200-square-foot home they've been living in since moving out of the White House, the Washington Post is reporting.

According to property records, the Obamas purchased the home for $8.1 million. It was previously listed for sale at $5.3 million in 2016 by Joe Lockhart, Bill Clinton's former press secretary, but it did not sell. It was then rented to the Obamas this January.

"Given that President and Mrs. Obama will be in Washington for at least another two and a half years, it made sense for them to buy a home rather than continuing to rent property," a spokesperson for the family told the Post.

Though smaller than the Obamas' former abode, the house is still a lavish residence in a desirable neighborhood in the nation's capital. It was built in 1928, renovated in 2011, and contains nine bedrooms. The sale price makes it the second-most expensive home in the neighborhood of Kalorama, after Jeff Bezos' 2016 purchase.

The Obamas likely haven't spent much time in the home, as they have been photographed traveling the world since President Obama left office in January. 

SEE ALSO: The bizarre 'Flintstones House' in a wealthy San Francisco suburb has finally found a buyer

The Obamas traded white for brick at their newly purchased mansion in the Kalorama section of DC.



It's gated and private, though it sits close to the road.



The gated driveway has plenty of space for Secret Service vehicles.



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The healthiest breakfasts you can order at 11 fast-food chains

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egg sandwich healthy wheat bread tomato breakfast

If you're on a budget and low on time, a fast-food breakfast might be your best bet every once in a while.

Whether you're headed to Burger King or Starbucks, there are usually a few healthier options to choose from.

For this list, we tried to prioritize breakfasts that contain whole food ingredients like eggs and whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Most are 400 calories or fewer and pack a hefty amount of protein to fill you up and fuel your body for the day ahead.

Still, one caveat with most of these items, is that they pack a lot of salt, so watch your sodium intake on the days you eat them.

SEE ALSO: Our obsession with calories can be traced back 100 years — and it hides a bigger problem

DON'T MISS: 15 of the healthiest fast-food menu items

McDonald's — Egg McMuffin, no ham (300 calories)

The fruit and yogurt parfait isn't the only healthy morning item McDonald's offers. Avoiding the meat is an easy way to lighten up the chain's traditional breakfast items. An Egg McMuffin has:

300 calories— not too high, not too low

17g protein— a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

12g fat— not too high, not too low

29g carbs— pretty low

730mg sodium — high; a little less than half your recommended daily allowance



Starbucks — Spinach and Feta Wrap (290 calories)

While the yummy pastries at Starbucks are sure to catch your eye, sugary muffins and scones can leave you hangry. Their hot breakfast items, like this wrap, are likely a healthier, more filling AM meal, with:

290 calories— on the lower side

19g protein— a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

10g fat— not too low, not too high

33g carbs— pretty high; replace sugary or carb-heavy snacks with protein-rich ones

830mg sodium — just under half your daily allowance



Subway — Egg and Cheese Sandwich (360 calories)

"Eating fresh" in the a.m. is pretty easy at this chain, where you can get an egg sandwich on flatbread loaded with veggies. Our only caveat is that the sandwich is very high in sodium, which research suggests may be bad news for your heart.

360 calories— not too high, not too low

19g protein— a good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

12g fat— not too high, not too low

44g carbs— roughly 15% of your daily allowance

860mg sodium— high; more than half your daily allowance



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The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is one of the oddest and most memorable cars we've ever driven (FCAU)

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Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 26

After two decades away from the US market, Alfa Romeo returned in 2014 with the 4C sports car. A year later, the company followed up with the 4C Spider, and in 2017, it's selling the Giulia sedan and launching the Stelvio SUV. The return of Alfa Romeo is a key component in Fiat Chrysler's strategy to incorporate its European holdings in its US offerings.

Although Alfa Romeo is a brand steeped in history with a reputation for building stylish sports cars, it's probably best known for its appearance in the 1967 film "The Graduate." The decision to pair Dustin Hoffman's character up with an Alfa Spider instantly propelled the car and the company into pop-culture-icon status.

The car sits in an odd place in the market. It's a small, stripped down, turbocharged, carbon-fiber two-seater priced below $100,000. About the only thing you can compare it to is a Ferrari — except that a mid-engine 488 GTB will set you back $300,000. Coincidentally, the Alfa 4C is built in Ferrari's hometown of Modena, Italy. 

A little while back, Alfa dropped off a red 4C Spider for Business Insider to check out. The open-top 4C starts at $64,000, but our option-laden test car left the showroom with a $74,000 price tag.

Photos by Hollis Johnson.

SEE ALSO: The 25 coolest cars in Jay Leno's garage

After departing the US market in 1995 due to financial and regulatory issues, Alfa Romeo returned in 2014 ...



... with the pint-size 4C sports car.



In 2015, Alfa followed up with the ragtop 4C spider.



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If you want to sell your home for more money, these are the colors you should paint your walls

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light blue bathroom

When it comes time to sell your home, you might consider making some changes to make it more appealing to buyers. 

According to a new analysis by Zillow, paint color should definitely be a change you consider. 

After analyzing more than 32,000 listing photos of homes that have sold across the US, Zillow came up with a list of the colors that performed the best.

For example, homes that are painted "greige," a shade somewhere between light gray and beige, tended to sell for $3,496 more than similar homes in brown or tan. 

"Color can be a powerful tool for attracting buyers to a home, especially in listing photos and videos," Svenja Gudell, Zillow's chief economist, said in a press release. "Painting walls in fresh, natural-looking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray, not only make a home feel larger, but also are neutral enough to help future buyers envision themselves living in the space. Incorporating light blue in kitchens and bathrooms may pay off especially well as the color complements white countertops and cabinets, a growing trend in both rooms."

Here are Zillow's findings on what colors to choose (and which to avoid): 

Kitchens: 

  • Blue (light blue to soft gray-blue): home sold for $1,809 more on average
  • Yellow (straw yellow to marigold): home sold for $820 less on average

Bathrooms: 

  •  Blue/purple (light powder blue to periwinkle): home sold for $5,440 more on average
  • White/no color (off-white or eggshell white): home sold for $4,035 less on average

Bedrooms: 

blue bedroom

  • Blue (light cerulean to cadet blue): home sold for $1,856 more on average
  • Pink (light pink, to antique rose; often found in kids rooms): home sold for $208 less on average

Dining Room: 

  • Blue (slate blue to pale gray blue; navy blue also found in dining rooms with white shiplap): home sold for $1,926 more on average
  • Red (brick red, terracotta, or copper red): home sold for $2,031 less on average

 Living Room:

  • Brown (light beige, pale taupe, oatmeal): home sold for $1,809 more on average
  • Blue (pastel gray, pale silver to light blue, periwinkle): home sold for $820 less on average

Home Exterior:

  • Gray/brown (greige — mix of gray and beige): home sold for $1,526 more on average
  • Brown (medium brown, taupe, or stucco): home sold for $1,970 less on average

Front Door:

  • Gray/blue (navy blue to dark gray or charcoal): home sold for $1,514 more on average 

SEE ALSO: Zillow is launching a new site just for millennials looking for their first home

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These are the monsters that today's animals descended from

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After dinosaurs went extinct, things were still pretty big. During the rise of the mammals, enormous creatures roamed the Earth. These monsters would go on to become some of our smaller creatures, with one big exception.

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I tried the 'Mercedes Benz of toilets' that comes with a remote control and costs $10,200

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toto toilet Neorest 750H

Heated seats, doors that open automatically, and an energy-saving system — these are features we've come to expect from luxury cars. But Japan's biggest toilet maker has brought these high-tech features and more to its premiere line of commodes.

Founded 100 years ago, Toto makes toilets — most of which include remote-controlled bidet spouts — that have become mainstays in Asian households, restaurants, and public buildings. The company has struggled to crack the North American market.

Earlier this year, Toto opened a showroom in San Francisco to give urban-dwellers the chance to experience Japanese-style toilets. On a recent visit, I used the company's most expensive and luxurious toilet. Here's what it was like.

SEE ALSO: Alarming photos of the uninhabited island that's home to 37 million pieces of trash

This is the Neorest 750H — the porcelain throne to rule all thrones.



As a company spokesperson walks me through the showroom, she describes the Neorest 750H — not the sexiest name — as the "Mercedes Benz of toilets." It costs $10,200.



She shows me to a bathroom where the Neorest 750H, the company's most expensive toilet, sits. I ask if visitors can actually use it and she tells me "it's encouraged."

I move closer to the toilet and the lid opens for me.



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Steve Wozniak tells us what he wants to be remembered for

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Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has arguably been called "The inventor of the personal computer." But even if you believe that the title belongs to one of the pioneers before him — you can't deny Wozniak's contribution to modern-day computers. With all of that success, you would think that Woz would want that achievement to be engraved on his tombstone. Instead, he wants to be remembered for the quality of his work, and not his achievements. Following is a transcript of this video.

"Happiness = smiles - frowns," would be the best thing on my tombstone.

I think that what I did, I didn't know it necessarily at the time, is we all don't necessarily know. It made a huge impact on the world was the Apple II computer and some early, unusual approaches. Everything was so out of the book and so different than any engineering book, any book on computers could have ever said before. And I go back and I'm proud of that, I don't even understand my designs anymore. I look at them and I say, "How did that even come out of my own mind?"

Everybody would tell you, "No." Everybody would say, "No." Remember, when we started Apple, the amount of memory that could hold a song cost a million dollars. Okay, how far in the future can you risk seeing? You know, we knew about Moore's Law, we knew that computers were important, they could help people. The fact that they could do everything in your life was such a foresight in science fiction thought. Steve Jobs may have had some of that — at the start. We didn't ever talk about it, really. We just talked about what we could build today, short-term, you know, etc.

But, going back to legacy — I don't want to be known for inventing the first personal computer and you know, bringing personal computers into our life. I want other engineers to look at my work and say, "Wow he did some outstanding engineering, soldering wires the right way, writing code a certain way."

Everything you do for work, you should have a lot of fun in your life. That when you die, your life is based on happiness. Not your wealth, not your possessions, not your career, not how you succeeded. It should be based on how much you smiled in your life. "Happiness = smiles - frowns" would be the best thing on my tombstone.

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Tour the beachfront estate that entertainment icon Dick Cavett is selling for $62 million

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Dick Cavett's longtime Montauk home Tick Hall

Dick Cavett, longtime talk show host and entertainment icon, is offloading his estate in Montauk, New York.

Known as Tick Hall, it was built in 2001 after the original home on the 20-acre property burned down in 1997. 

Now Cavett is looking to sell the plot he's owned for 50 years, and he's listed it for $62 million. In an email to the Wall Street Journal, he said that offering up the estate was "the hardest thing in the world to do."

The Corcoran Group has the listing.

SEE ALSO: The Obamas just shelled out $8.1 million for the DC mansion they've been renting since leaving the White House

Tick Hall lies on 20 acres of property in Montauk, New York, on the far eastern end of Long Island.



It's surrounded by 77 acres of preserved land that Cavett sold to a government consortium for $18 million in 2008.



The home is clad in the classic Hamptons slate shingle siding.



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The top 25 cities for the future

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moscow russia

By 2050, approximately two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities, up from just over half right now.

In order to accommodate the masses, it's important for urban centers to rev up their preparations for the future — through infrastructure improvements, technological innovation, policy-making, environmental protections, and other forward-looking strategies.

A new report from AT Kearney, a global business-consulting firm, ranks 128 cities based on their projected levels of importance and competitiveness in the future. The ranking combines cities' scores across various data points, including environmental performance, patents per capita, the number of business incubators and Fortune 500 companies, and quality of life.

In order to suss out the top cities of the future, AT Kearney calculated scores in four categories: personal well-being, economics, innovation, and governance.

These are the cities to keep an eye on in the coming years.

SEE ALSO: Surreal photos of China's failed 'city of the future'

25. Los Angeles, United States

Los Angeles, which fell four spots on the ranking from 2016 to 2017, continues to be a center for business and technology. It's home to several tech giants, including Snap and SpaceX, and fosters the growth of future tech leaders through its startup incubators.



24. Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver edged one spot up the list from No. 24 in 2016. That's because of its rise in tech entrepreneurship and the legal medical marijuana industry. In 2016, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced an agreement to invest CA$900 million in the city's transit infrastructure, which is likely to improve its scores in the years ahead.



23. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has the largest population of college graduates. But its human capital wasn't enough to keep the Japanese capital from sliding four spots this year. In 2016, the governor of Tokyo resigned because of a spending scandal. Yoichi Masuzoe is the second leader of Tokyo's municipal government to leave office because of a financial scandal in recent years. 



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This 'ninja house' has holes for walls and ladders for stairs

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T_06

Taking the stairs can sometimes feel like a chore. But that's nothing for this Japanese couple, who navigate their four-story home by ladder.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects — also dubbed the "Ninja House" — has no interior walls, hardly any floor space, and only a few wooden ladders to maneuver between its levels.

Take a look below at the radical design.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is putting a homeless shelter inside its new Seattle office building

House T is tucked between two other townhomes in Tokyo. On the outside, it looks like a normal home.

It was completed in 2013.



But on the inside, there are gaping holes in the floors and walls.



On the first level, there's an office and living room. Wooden stairs that double as a bookcase lead to the second floor, which requires a bit of a jump.



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21 of the most affordable zip codes to raise a family in the US

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House home neighborhood

A neighborhood with high-quality schools and affordable homes sounds like the ideal place to raise a family, but it's not easy to come by.

Luckily, HomeUnion, an online real estate investment management firm, recently dug into its database of more than 200,000 neighborhoods to find out which US zip codes fit the bill.

To compile its list, HomeUnion analyzed the 50 largest US metros to find the one zip code in each with the lowest median sale price for single-family homes sold between late 2016 and early 2017. From there, they sourced Maponics, which ranks public schools based on average math and reading scores, to find the most affordable zip codes that also have an average school rating in the 80th percentile or higher. Metros with zip codes that had no school ratings above 80 were eliminated entirely, including New York City.

“As home prices continue to increase in many coastal markets, particularly in the Western US, we are seeing the best opportunities for first-time home buyers with families in the center of the country," said Steve Hovland, director of research for HomeUnion, of the company's findings.

Below, check out 21 of the best places to raise a family, ranked by median home sale price. Each zip code's metro and average school rating are included as well.

All photos feature the metro area the zip code is a part of. 

SEE ALSO: The 15 US cities where it's easiest to save money

DON'T MISS: Here's how big a home you can buy for $400,000 in the 25 biggest cities in America

21. 97035: Lake Oswego, Oregon

Metro: Portland

School rating: 87.9

Median home sale price: $417,500

 



20. 80122: Centennial, Colorado

Metro: Denver

School rating: 83.3 

Median home sale price: $380,000



19. 78717: Williamson, Texas

Metro: Austin

School rating: 84.9 

Median home sale price: $375,000



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The 'world's most powerful address' is home to big shots like Lloyd Blankfein and Denzel Washington — here's what its like inside

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There are plenty of legendary addresses in New York City, but 15 Central Park West stands out. The ultra-luxury condominium on the corner of West 61st St. and Central Park West has been home to a long list of bankers, celebrities, and assorted bold-faced names.

Author Michael Gross, who published a history of the condo called "House of Outrageous Fortune" in 2014, calls it the world's most powerful address.

Business Insider took a peek inside the famed address. Compass has listed unit 8B for $33 million. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home is coveted real estate even inside the building — it has nearly 50 feet of unobstructed views of Central Park and the New York skyline.

The home was staged by luxury staging firm Interior Marketing Group.

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The 22 best places to live in America if you want to make a lot of money

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chicago

Finding a great job that comes with a significant salary boost is one of the top reasons to move to a new city.

In its updated 2017 ranking of the best places to live in America, U.S. News & World Report gathered data on the 100 most populous US cities. Among the factors it considered were affordable housing, a low cost of living, good schools, quality healthcare, and access to well-paying jobs. You can read U.S. News' full methodology here.

Business Insider reranked these cities based on average annual salary to find the cities where residents earned more than $50,000 a year — on par with the national average. They don't all rank highly on U.S. News' overall list, given higher costs of living and other factors, so we've included each city's overall ranking for comparison's sake. For instance, Chicago ranks at No. 19 in terms of salary, but it came in only at No. 83 on the list of 100.

Of the 100 best places to live in the US, here are 22 where you can land the highest-paying jobs:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best places to live in America

DON'T MISS: The 15 best states to live in when you retire

22. Santa Rosa, California

Population: 495,078

Average annual salary: $50,540

Overall rank on best places to live list: 52

Just 55 miles north of San Francisco sits Santa Rosa, one of Sonoma County's premier wine-country towns. According to US News' local expert, Santa Rosa is an originator of the farm-to-table movement and "a haven for bicyclists, who train on its rural western roads and visit en masse for two major cycling events: the Amgen Tour of California and the Levi's GranFondo."

The job market in Santa Rosa is powered by tourism: 9% of residents work in the industry, mainly at local farms, wineries, and brewpubs.



21. Albany, New York

Population: 877,846

Average annual salary: $50,880

Overall rank on best places to live list: 30

Despite the snowy winters, living in Albany comes with several advantages. Albany offers a cost of living lower than the national average and the cost of housing sits well below the rest of the US as a whole. In terms of jobs, the city's tech and healthcare industries are on the rise.

Albany's downtown is lined with art galleries, wine shops, and churches for visitors to peruse. In keeping with the city's cold climate, hockey is the sport of choice for residents. 



20. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Population: 1,750,865

Average annual salary: $51,150

Overall rank on best places to live list: 7

Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill are collectively known as the Triangle, an area anchored by its foundation in research and tech. The Triangle employs nearly 40,000 residents at companies like IBM, SAS Institute Inc., and Cisco Systems as well as surrounding colleges Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A strong job market coupled with a burgeoning microbrewery and dining scene draws 80 new residents every day, said a local expert.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What it’s like living in North Korea — according to a North Korean defector

Here's an easy way to unshrink your clothes

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We have all had clothes shrink in the wash — but don't waste money on another piece. Instead, gather up a bucket or sink, hair conditioner, and towels.

Fill your bucket or sink with warm water and a tablespoon of hair conditioner. Mix it up, and let your clothes soak for about 15 minutes. Ring the item out, then place on a towel. Stretch the cloth carefully, and wait for it to dry.

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