Motorists traveling into the city now will be aware of something many have believed for a long time — Suffolk is a great place to live.

Signs declaring the city’s place in Money magazine’s “Top 100 Small Cities to Live” were installed this week along the major corridors leading into the city. Suffolk ranked 91st on the list, which was published in the magazine’s August issue.

Each sign includes a different photo of items that make Suffolk unique, ranging from its recreational opportunities to its historic buildings. The one on U.S. Route 58 westbound shows the old Nansemond County courthouse, recently remodeled to become the new Visitor Center.

Coincidentally, that sign sits near the city’s border with the only other Hampton Roads city to make the list. Chesapeake edged out Suffolk in the nationwide ranking, placing in the 85th position.

Suffolk leaders and residents found out in July the city had made the list.

The magazine compared statistics from 746 U.S. cities with a population of 50,000 to 300,000 to make its rankings. Then, it sent staffers to the top 30 cities on the list to interview residents and assess traffic, parks and other community resources.

Suffolk made the list largely because of its economic development. Suffolk posted more than 25 percent job growth since 2000 — nearly 10 percentage points better than the average of all the “best cities.”

“I think it really comes down to the diversity of product,” Kevin Hughes, director of economic development, said in July. “We’re not a city who only has one industry, and you either depend on them doing well or not. It’s one of the things we really try to focus on as a government. It also helps the city get through a tough recession.”

The list is available online at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/.