Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
location is the most important component of real estate value- To say that about the homes in Summit, doesn't give due credit for the other benefits. For instance, because summit is elevated, there are views you won't find in communities further south. Not only do you get views, you also get healthier air. 
There's a feeling of exhilaration felt by skiers as they head for the lake for a few hours of late afternoon skiing after work. Show skiers don't have it as easy as the water skiers - we'll drive further and longer, but we feel the same exhilaration and we have an excuse for staying on the slopes for two days rather than rushing back to work. 
