BEST PLACES TO LIVE?

Bremerton, Wash., blessed with a low crime rate and an environmental awareness, was rated as the ``best place to live'' in the United States in a Money Magazine survey dominated by cities in the Northwest. Seattle, 15 miles away from Bremerton, was second after being rated first in 1989 by more than one survey.

San Francisco held on to its third-place ranking. Tacoma, Wash., ranked fourth, and Columbia, Mo., fifth.

The survey pointed out that areas in New England comprised half of the top 10 in 1989, but said those cities were ``among those that dipped in the rankings because of economic stagnation and depressed housing prices.''

The analysis was based on a reader survey. Also included for the first time was use of economic data to rank each place on its insulation from recession.