In the past 18 months, nearly half of Americans have either moved or are considering it. If you look at your options, you will find that the most livable places in the US are not necessarily the largest, and sometimes amazing. So if you are one of the millions of people considering moving out and looking for a small to medium city that has it all, then this list of the best places to live is for you.
How did we choose these 25 best places to live?
For eight years, Livability.com has collected survey and research data to analyze 1,000 cities in America to find some of the best places to live in our country. They look at factors that people care about for their hometown, such as how safe it is, how affordable it would be to live in it, stability and well-paid jobs, opportunities for outdoor activities, and the degree of community involvement.
Then they make a list of places that seemingly do the impossible. These unicorn cities score high on several metrics and provide so much to the residents. So what are you waiting for? Your next hometown could be one of these 25 best places to live.
1. Madison, Wisconsin
One of the nation’s finest campuses, Madison, Wisconsin is much more than meets the eye. Located between Lake Mendota and Monona (offering residents many hiking and cycling options), it also has a strong economy. This is a great destination for college graduates and retirees, and anyone in between. On top of that, it also has beautiful architecture (thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright) and lovely farmers markets.
2. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Known mostly as the home of the University of Michigan, this campus is packed with culture, green perspectives, and innovation, making it one of the best places to live in the United States. Ann Arbor has a startup tech site that helped launch Nokia and Duo. Safety and help drive tomorrow’s innovations.
3. Overland Park, Kansas
If you are looking for a suburb with a serene landscape, check out Overland Park. With excellent schools, affordable houses, and many theaters, this city next door to St. Louis has received high marks. Overland Park offers a variety of options, from a stunning barbecue to an expansive botanical garden, and from big employers like T-Mobile.
4. Frederick, Maryland
If you had to describe Frederick in one word, it would be charming. With rural wineries, beautiful architecture and rich history, this small town is truly one of the best places to live in the United States. If you need to travel to Baltimore or DC from time to time, this is a fantastic regional option. However, don’t be fooled by your country. Frederick is also home to many startups and tech companies doing cutting-edge research right in the city.
5. Charlottesville, Virginia
Another campus, Charlottesville, has grown with the creativity and energy of the prestigious public college, the University of Virginia. Once home to Presidents Jefferson and Monroe (and The Dave Matthews Band), this once rural but now bustling city offers a host of theaters, outdoor venues and a variety of local restaurants that will make you immediately feel at home. …
6. Quincy, Massachusetts
Close to hundreds of colleges and universities (including Harvard), Quincy has retained its historic spirit while not forgetting its future. Downtown Quincy is Boston’s largest renaissance project, with the perfect mix of shops, restaurants, homes and commercial spaces.
7. Hillsborough, Oregon
Part of the Oregon Silicon Forest, Hillsborough is home to the headquarters of many high-tech companies, including Intel and Genentech. Although right next to Portland, rest assured that Hillsborough has a personality of its own, offering exceptional healthcare, family farms, and arts and culture organizations for days.
8. Roseville, California
If you want warm weather with great summers and short winters, but don’t want to spend money on housing, Roseville is the place for you. Aside from fantastic weather, Roseville is just 20 minutes from Sacramento and a short drive from the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills and Lake Folsom.
9. Colorado Springs, Colorado
No list of the best places to live would be complete without Colorado Springs, home to the stunning Garden of the Gods, the US Air Force Academy and the official US Olympic training center. Located in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs provides its residents with ample access to nature, plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities and a strong job market in and of itself, as well as close access to Denver’s sprawling cities.
10. Vancouver, Washington
If Portland is too big for you, check out one of the neighboring cities, Vancouver. It is known for its wide variety of food with Latin American and Asian markets, delectable Eastern European bakeries and French restaurants. Grab a treat at one of the city’s smaller businesses and travel to the Cascade Mountains, the Pacific shores, the Columbia River, or Mount Hood nearby.
11. Corvallis, Oregon
Lots of hiking and biking trails? Check. A relaxed atmosphere? Check. Free public transport? Check. Strong job market? Check! In the heart of the Willamette Valley wine region, home to the University of Oregon, Corvallis has a lot to offer its residents.
12. Raleigh, North Carolina
One of the more famous cities on the list, Raleigh’s secret of being a city that really has it all has been around for a while. Whether you’re an aspiring chef looking to get started, or a gourmet loving new experience, an entrepreneur starting a business, or a remote worker looking for fiber optic internet, you’ll find it in the capital. North Carolina
13. Omaha, Nebraska
Whether you are in the business of personal finance or investing, you know Omaha as the home of legendary investor Warren Buffett! Once you dive deeper into the authentic community, creative food scene, low cost of living, and museums, you will see that Corn State has something for all age groups.
14. Rochester, Minnesota.
Hate waiting in traffic? Well then, Rochester is the perfect city for you, with an average travel time of just 16.5 minutes! With major medical and tech employers such as the Mayo Clinic and IBM, the city impresses with its low cost of living and significant employment opportunities. Rochester also offers many activities for the whole family, a vibrant city center and many outdoor activities.
15. Columbia, Maryland
Everyone in Columbia, Maryland, is shouting: Come here and live. Another city conveniently located between DC and Baltimore, this community was built according to a master plan. Unsurprisingly, Colombia continually lists the best places to live in terms of quality of life, from natural parks to open spaces and cultural events.
16. Franklin, Tennessee
Is it possible to have a city with a strong historical heritage, innovative technology, outstanding healthcare offerings and many vibrant festivals? As Franklin shows, Tennessee, yes it is. Known as Nashville’s wine country, you’ll be less than an hour’s drive from Music City with easy access to everything it has to offer.
17. Plano, TX
A city must combine all the important elements to make it to the list of the best places to live. This is exactly what Plano Texas offers. With two huge upscale shopping malls, many local boutiques, over a thousand restaurants, a massive headquarters and no state income tax, Plano is well loved.
18. Lincoln, Nebraska.
Lincoln, home to the University of Nebraska, is the epitome of the campus. But don’t let that fool you. Lincoln offers its residents fantastic healthcare, small businesses to shop, and affordable housing (average home price is $ 177,000). Consider Lincoln if you want to move to a city with a lot of spirit and activity that won’t be worth all of your retirement savings.
19. Asheville, North Carolina
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a beautiful mountain town with a big city vibe. Featuring excellent beer, award-winning chefs and local drumming, Asheville combines a small-town vibe with big city culture and events every Friday night.
20. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
With a booming economy, all four seasons and plenty of family-friendly activities, Sioux Falls is vying for a spot on the list of the best places to live. If you’re looking for a home with a decent cost of living, low crime rates, and a small-town vibe, look no further than Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city.
21 Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is one of the best places to live in the United States when it comes to wildlife. An abundance of forests and lakes, as well as the youthful energy and intercultural curiosity of Indiana University, make Bloomington another gem of the Midwest.
22. Framingham, Massachusetts.
Framingham is another great American city to start a family or retire, with charming neighborhoods, exciting nightlife and bustling subway areas. You can get it all in Framingham with a six-figure job in nearby Boston, a great school system, and all the goodies of the suburbs.
23. Tacoma, Washington
If you like Seattle’s vibe and scene but are looking for a smaller town, visit the sister city of Tacoma. It has all the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, convenient suburbs, great job opportunities, and the arts and culture for which the region is renowned.
24 Boise, Idaho
The secret of Boise as one of the best places to live has been revealed! This small town has a lot to offer given the low cost of living and the fastest growing labor market in America, especially in high tech and healthcare. Enjoy life in style: fly fishing, skiing, college football games, a jazz music center, and craft beer.
25.Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a beautiful blend of history and innovation, ranking among the best places to live. This mid-size city, known as the Research Triangle Park, employs 80,000 people and constantly attracts people from high cost of living areas. You’ll find affordable places to live, an entrepreneurial economy (for those with ideas for the side hustle and bustle), and a rich artist community.
Summary: Best Places to Live in the USA
Whether you want to stay in the same region with friends and family, move out of town, but still have access to city life, or find a fantastic place to retire, America has many options. So take a vacation to one or more of these top locations to see what they are like. You can fall in love with a new city faster than you think!
This post originally appeared on Savoteur.