The Triangle has garnered more than its share of national accolades in the quality-of-life and business-climate categories over the years.

Now Businessweek.com has dubbed Raleigh as simply "the best American city."

Of course you already knew that if you live here, but it's been a tough slog proving Raleigh's merits to your hip friends in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and Durham.

Now we have Businessweek.com to back us up. Based on a slew of standards that matter to real people, Raleigh edged out Arlington, Va., and Scottsdale, Ariz., for the top ranking.