As Americans, we are lucky. As every third grader knows, our nation includes every landscape, every culture and so, so many choices.
Most moves are pretty much pre-determined. People move to specific places for jobs or for family, but what happens when you don’t know where to go? With rapidly rising Bay Area real estate prices, people are either being driven out of their homes or they are deciding to cash in and move where the cost of living is cheaper.
Every year, Livability.com rates cities as the best (and worst) places to live. They ranked cities that were between 20,000 and 350,000, so no tiny towns and no huge cities. The cities were ranked based on amenities, demographics, economy, education, health care, housing, social issues, transportation and infrastructure.
Here are the cities:
Fargo, North Dakota. They have a low unemployment rate and a cheap cost of living. The median home price is just $157,900.
Overland Park, Kansas. They have a low crime rate and a great economy.
Ft. Collins, Colorado. If you love the outdoors, legal pot and a casual culture, Ft. Collins could be the place for you.
San Mateo, California. Okay, this one is right in our backyard. In fact, it literally is our backyard, but as you know, the economy is strong, there’s a lot to do and there are tons of jobs. There is a reason the cost of living is so high. People love it.
Walnut Creek, California. Clean, great schools, great outdoor activities. Again, in our backyard.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Lots to do and cheap housing.
Iowa City, Iowa. It’s a college town with great primary schools and a surprising cultural life.
Ann Arbor, Michigan. Another college town that’s very culturally rich.
Bismarck, North Dakota. Cheap housing, great healthcare, lots of outdoor activities. The winters can be tough, though.
Palo Alto, California. We know.
Boulder, Colorado. A great college town, but best for liberals. Boulderites enjoy the outdoors like no one else. There’s skiing, rock climbing, miles and miles of serious hiking, and don’t forget, you can relax with a microbrew and, if you so desire, a legal joint.
Santa Barbara, California. The only city in the southern part of our state. What’s not to love about Santa Barbara? Beautiful people, beautiful beaches and beautiful architecture.
Madison, Wisconsin. The capital of Wisconsin is an oasis for liberals in a conservative state. As a college town, Madison is cultured and educated.
Bellevue, Washington. Best known for outdoor activities, although the cost of living is high.
Rochester, Minnesota. Rochester was ranked the best city for 2015. it’s a city on the rise. It’s home to the Mayo Clinic and the general quality of life is very high. Again, though, the weather.
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