Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Welcome to our guide on “The Best City to Live in Each State.” Whether you’re considering a move or simply curious about the top destinations across the country, this article will take you on a journey through the standout cities in all 50 states. From bustling urban centers to charming small towns, discover what makes each of these locations the best place to call home.
Madison, Alabama
Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images
Madison is arguably the fastest-growing city in the state of Alabama. Sitting near the larger metropolis of Huntsville, Madison is currently booming based on overall wealth, accessibility when it comes to purchasing homes, and the strong academics offered by local schools.
Simply put, Madison is quickly evolving into a hotspot for families — both in Alabama and coming from surrounding regions. This is also based upon the uptick in professions via one large tech company (which has set up shop in Madison).
College, Alaska
Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
There are a lot of positive qualities when it comes to the little hamlet of College, Alaska. Staying true to its name, it sits next to the larger city of Fairbanks — where the University of Alaska-Fairbanks resides. For those who enjoy the diversity of a college campus, you’ll likely be exposed to people from all over the world here. The same cannot be said about other parts of Alaska.
Additionally, the nearby college enables families to go and watch a plethora of sporting events virtually whenever they want without the costs associated with professional teams.
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Wild Horizons/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
For one thing, the Catalina Foothills are aesthetically beautiful. There are few places on Earth as striking as this scenery — where you’ve got reddish-colored mountains towering above the pretty prairies chock-full of imposing cacti and green/yellow shrubbery. Only a short drive from the college town of Tucson, Catalina Foothills is an area with a very affluent presence.
Aside from all the fun you could have at the University of Arizona, the area in general has terrific golf options, a plethora of exciting museums, all of the shopping you’d want, and a safety element that those with families will appreciate. In short, it’s one of the best places in all of Arizona to live.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Elizabeth W. Kerley/Getty Images
Most people know Bentonville as the location where Walmart came into existence. However, there’s far more here than just the gigantic jack-of-all-trades convenience store. Located in Northwest Arkansas, there’s a very quaint, charming downtown area loaded with wholesome mom-and-pop businesses.
Additionally, Bentonville has become a place where art is thriving. Several young artists and musicians take advantage of the venues here. Duly, there are a few museums worth checking out in the process.
Thousand Oaks, California
Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Thousand Oaks is a jewel within the region of Southern California. As the greater Los Angeles metro area becomes more and more congested, people are finding themselves heading north to this picturesque suburb. Location-wise, it’s a big draw for people. You’re only about 15-20 minutes east of Malibu, less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles, and about an hour from Santa Barbara.
Widely regarded as one of the safest cities in the country, the greater Thousand Oaks area also encompasses some of the best public school systems in the state (including Oak Park High School in particular). Affluent and still relatively roomy, this is a highly desirable area for anyone with a family. Plus, if you’re into the ‘Hollywood’ scene, you’ll soon learn that this area is a haven for many celebrities to live without being inundated by paparazzi or crazy traffic.
Holly Hills, Colorado
Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images
With a population of roughly 3,000 people, you’ve got the Denver suburb of Holly Hills. There’s a ton of practicality here with this city, particularly if you’re a fan of city enjoyment without everything that comes with it if you were to live there. Holly Hills is only a short drive from Denver — which means those living in the suburb can enjoy the sporting events, restaurants, concerts, and all of the entertainment options in Denver.
On the flip side, you’re able to make the short trip home without having to live in/pay exorbitant Denver prices. You’re also living in a quieter place with good schools and without some of the unsavory aspects of a big city.
West Hartford, Connecticut
James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images
West Hartford is arguably the crème de la crème of Connecticut suburbs. It’s a very quaint, idyllic spot where family would love to put down roots. You’ve got all of the charm and sensibilities here that people crave — including safety, affluence, good schools, local theater, weekend farmer’s markets, and more.
There are two universities within the city (the University of Hartford, and the University of Saint Joseph) giving it plenty of culture and diversity. Without a doubt, West Hartford is a gem of a place to live.
Pike Creek, Delaware
GummyBone/Getty Images
The state of Delaware isn’t necessarily known as a major hotspot when it comes to desirable places to live. However, based on certain lists and metrics, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the great city of Pike Creek. Some publications insist that it’s among the Top 100 places to live in the United States. Based upon the picture above, one can see that Pike Creek is incredibly lush and green — featuring both multiple golf courses and beautiful natural parks.
In fact, for those who love the outdoors, Pike Creek includes a treasure trove of hiking opportunities all over the area. When coupled with tremendous safety across the board and relative affordability compared to other places, Pike Creek is a slam dunk.
Nocatee, Florida
Javier delPino / 500px/Getty Images
Nocatee, Florida is BOOMING — and for good reason. Over the last 5-6 years, it’s enjoyed one of the biggest population increases of any city in the United States. Located on the east coast of Florida (close to Jacksonville), many of the town’s developments were created to take advantage of the natural beauty of the area (which includes the beaches).
These neighborhoods were crafted to make living as nice and easy as possible. There are many great restaurants in the area, as well as golf courses and all of the amenities one would want. Multiple water parks sit here for the children, and it’s a very community-driven place (with festivals, weekly food trucks, and other communal activities).
Decatur, Georgia
Prince Williams/Getty Images
The greater Atlanta area has some very nice places to live. Among them is the city of Decatur. Only a stone’s throw from downtown Atlanta, those living in Decatur can enjoy everything Atlanta has to offer without being forced to reside in ‘the big city’ limits.
Decatur is known for many things. One of which includes community. It’s a tight-knit group, which often celebrates via the occurrence of art festivals, annual parties, barbecues, and music festivals. Decatur is also the host to several beautiful breweries and distilleries.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Masci Giuseppe/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Honolulu is a very nice place to live within the islands (though to be fair, there aren’t many undesirable places to reside in Hawaii as a whole). The capital of Hawaii has many opportunities job-wise for those looking at a new career. The same exists for college graduates/young people hoping to enter the job market.
Additionally, the schools here are among the better ones in the state — a big-time positive for those with families. Coupled with the entertainment opportunities, beautiful beaches, and college options, Honolulu is quite the spot.
Moscow, Idaho
Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
On the border of eastern Washington/western Idaho sits the city of Moscow. Those living in the area find it to be a nice reprieve from some of the bigger cities (Boise, Spokane) in the general area. As one can see, the terrain is quite stunning. Those who enjoy outdoor activities — whether hiking, hunting, fishing, or biking — love living in Moscow.
Additionally, the University of Idaho is located in Moscow. The college setting provides its residents with a ton of fun and exciting opportunities. This includes watching the college’s sports teams perform against other institutions.
Clarendon Hills, Illinois
Tunart/Getty Images
Many suburbs of Chicago are known for being very family-friendly and highly desirable places to live. Among them, Clarendon Hills might be the shining star. Located north of downtown Chicago, Clarendon Hills is known for having a safe environment with excellent schools and the feel of a very tight-knit community.
Essentially, it’s the quintessential small suburban town many dream about when wanting to start a family. Those who love the arts will also be thrilled to know that Clarendon Hills has a very prominent community theater available.
Carmel, Indiana
Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Among all of the cities in the Midwest, Carmel rates out as one of the most desirable places to live in the entire region. At the very least, it’s arguably the best place to reside within the state of Indiana. Many publications rave about Carmel for its safety, top-notch schools, beautiful scenery, and host of activities one can enjoy while living here.
The Carmel Farmers Market is a massive draw for natives and tourists alike. The Carmel Monon Community Center has a state-of-the-art fitness center to go along with a tremendous water park. There’s a burgeoning art scene in Carmel, several exciting trails for exercise enthusiasts, and also the popular Kawachinagano Japanese Garden.
Mount Vernon, Iowa
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Despite having a population of roughly 5,000 people, Mount Vernon is a highly attractive hamlet. Sitting in the eastern portion of Iowa, Mount Vernon is a dream for artsy types wanting to get away from everything. There are multiple art-driven festivals in the city. One of which showcases sidewalk art via the usage of chalk. Mount Vernon plays host to a gigantic Christmas festival during the holiday season.
There are also food-centric cook-offs and festivals, as well. Liberal arts institution Cornell College is located here — which further adds to the artsy feel around the city. It’s charming, clean, understated, possessing a burgeoning culinary scene, and chock-full of artisan stores.
Prairie Village, Kansas
Julie Denesha/Getty Images
Prairie Village is a suburb of Kansas City. It’s on the smaller side population-wise, possessing slightly less than 25,000 residents in total. The famed Shawnee Mission school district resides in the region, which many consider to be one of — if not the best school district in all of Kansas.
Essentially, this is a large component of why Prairie Village is a desirable place to live. Families want to live in safe areas with top-notch schools, and Prairie Village certainly fits the bill in this capacity.
Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Cavan images/Getty images
Interestingly enough, many consider Fort Thomas to be a suburb of Cincinnati despite residing in the state of Kentucky rather than Ohio. Local high schools within the area are widely known as bastions for excellence concerning youth sports. Multiple big-time athletes have hailed from this region (including former NFL players Cris Collinsworth and Jared Lorenzen).
In general, this is a very beautiful, quiet, and safe place. The proximity to Cincinnati for entertainment opportunities is great, and the local community-based happenings are equally as fun.
Prairieville, Louisiana
Jaimie Tuchman/Getty Images
Baton Rouge is a major metropolis for culture within the state of Louisiana. Outside of New Orleans, this is the place to be when it comes to entertainment. Among other things, Baton Rouge is the location of LSU. Football-crazed fans in the heart of the South get to watch their Tigers compete at the highest level within the SEC.
Prairieville is a suburb of Baton Rouge. Families can enjoy a slower pace of life while also being near bigger city fun. Among the communities in Louisiana, it’s one of the fastest-growing places in the state. The area continues to be revamped, and as such, various sportspeople (who played at LSU) end up living in Prairieville.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
When you think of Maine, you think of sleepy seaside towns with lighthouses, charm, and loads of lobster. Of course, Cape Elizabeth is no different. The population of Cape Elizabeth is roughly 10,000. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more naturally stunning area. Those living here clearly have a fondness for the ocean.
The area has two prominent parks (Crescent Beach State Park, and Portland Light Head) which draw people from all over the world. This affluent community is also a stone’s throw from Portland. Without a doubt, Cape Elizabeth encompasses everything you’d want in a quiet yet stunning getaway.
South Kensington, Maryland
wirestock/getty images
South Kensington is a very nice area. Some metrics detail that the median income for a household in the city is over $100,000. Based on the picture above, we get a small encapsulation of what the city looks like. More suburban than urban, South Kensington is green and expansive.
More than that, the city has a very solid school system — and is said to be extremely safe. There’s not a whole lot going on in terms of activities or tourist attractions. However, based upon the close nature of many states in the Atlantic region, it’s not a very long drive for South Kensington natives to seek out big city life.
Brookline, Massachusetts
Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Brookline is a very famous city in New England. One of the primary suburbs of Boston, more than 60,000 people reportedly call this neighborhood home. This is considered one of the upper-crust parts of Massachusetts as a whole. Many professional athletes competing for Boston-based teams (Patriots, Celtics, Bruins) end up living in Brookline. The area as a whole has more space than Boston proper. It’s considered far safer, and the school systems are said to be top-notch.
Simply put, for those who want to live near Boston but not actually in Boston, Brookline is a happy medium. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better situation within the Greater Boston area for a family.
Okemos, Michigan
Ali Majdfar/Getty Images
Here’s another affluent suburb just outside of a major college town. Okemos is about only 10 minutes from East Lansing. Of course, East Lansing is home to Michigan State University. For those successful professionals who don’t want to reside in a college town, many of them set up shop in Okemos. It’s not as congested as East Lansing — though it’s close enough to go watch the Spartans compete on the gridiron and the basketball court.
As it pertains to families, the city is constructed to be very friendly for those with children. We’re talking about high-level schools and a plethora of youth sports leagues.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
JOEY MCLEISTER/Star Tribune via Getty Images
The state of Minnesota generally has one of the highest quality-of-life metrics of any state. As Minneapolis has grown in recent years, many of its suburbs have exploded. They’ve become hotbeds for families in search of somewhere that is both safe and affordable. Eden Prairie fits the bill brilliantly in this capacity.
Various publications insist that Eden Prairie is among the better places to live across the United States. A host of athletes, politicians, and actors (based in Minneapolis work-wise) end up residing in Eden Prairie. There’s a strong presence of healthcare here, and the city is set up to focus heavily on the community (with theater, farmer’s markets, youth sports, etc.).
Madison, Mississippi
Judy Rushing/Getty Images
Mississippi as a whole is a very cost-effective state compared to many others within the union. In terms of an attractive place to live, look no further than the city of Madison. It’s not too far from the city of Jackson — though it’s far enough away to still offer somewhat of a small-town feel. People who like acreage, space, scenery, and quiet will love the city of Madison.
For those looking to expand their knowledge collegiately, both Jackson State and Tulane have opened satellite campuses in Madison. Strawberry Patch Park is a beautiful space where families get together to hike, picnic, and fish (among other activities). There are also many stunning walking trails here.
Richmond Heights, Missouri
Eifel Kreutz/Getty Images
Richmond Heights is the perfect mix of suburban life with the elements of big-city living. Located within the city limits of St. Louis, Richmond Heights offers its residents a real richness as it pertains to culture. It encompasses cuisine from all over the world, in addition to a population rooted in diversity.
The schools are great, the area is safe, and it’s close to all of the major aspects one could enjoy in St. Louis (including watching the St. Louis Cardinals). For younger families who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, this might be the best spot for you.
Bozeman, Montana
Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The state of Montana has skyrocketed when it comes to popularity. All of a sudden, tourists are heading here to Big Sky country in droves. Even further, many are moving here for expansive properties, jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery, and some rich culture.
Bozeman is considered a college town — though it’s also expanded into a bustling metropolis of sorts. You’ve got a beautiful downtown area with artisan stores. This mom-and-pop feel isn’t enjoyed in very many places nowadays. There’s a propensity for the arts in addition to an ever-growing culinary scene. Also, as is the case virtually anywhere in Montana, you aren’t too far from some striking outdoor opportunities.
Chadron, Nebraska
jmoor17/Getty images
The city of Chadron is a little bit off the beaten path. It’s not in Omaha or Lincoln — but rather on the Great Plains. It takes a certain type of individual to want to live in what many consider to be more of a rural environment. With that said, as shown above in the image, Chadron has a ton of natural beauty.
Unsurprisingly, outdoor enthusiasts love this area. There’s plenty to do in the sunshine — particularly in the Nebraska National Forest. Interestingly enough, the city of Chadron is also said to roughly be the midway point between New York City and Los Angeles.
Incline Village, Nevada
George Rose/Getty Images
In a word, stunning. This idyllic location sits on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. People from all over the world come here to vacation. Imagine living here — where world-class skiing and boating exists. For those who love nature, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot than Incline Village.
Among its laundry list of potential activities, those living here can enjoy fishing, water skiing, inter-tubing, hiking, biking, walking trails, skiing, snowboarding, playing in the snow, and much more. Plus, it has some fabulous restaurants, movie theaters, and much more!
Hanover, New Hampshire
Sarah Rice for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Hanover might not be a household name outside of the New England region. However, when digging beneath the surface, you’ll soon learn that this city has plenty to offer. For one, it has a bit of a cosmopolitan feel to its population. This is in large part based upon the fact that Ivy League institution Dartmouth is located here. Some of the brightest minds in the country use Hanover as a playground. This in and of itself is a big positive for living here.
On the opposite end of the academic spectrum, the area is located adjacent to some beautiful country. We’re talking about nature preserves and ample wildlife. The famed Appalachian Trail cuts through this artsy town, and there’s plenty of access to many mountainous areas surrounding the region.
Princeton, New Jersey
Oliver Morris/Getty Images
Princeton looks like the type of place you’d see in some sort of fairy tale. The campus itself is grandiose with brick buildings covered in pretty ivy. The fall season has stunning colors of red, yellow, and orange — while the summer months are quite pleasant. This is a highly affluent community, where professionals of all fields end up residing with their families.
One big point of emphasis is location. Princeton is essentially a hop, skip, and a jump from both New York City and Philadelphia. People working in those cities can rely on public transportation to take them to and from work. Princeton unsurprisingly also has some of the best schools in all of New Jersey.
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images for Lumix
Weirdly, Los Alamos is known primarily as the city in which the atomic bomb was created. However, there’s much more to this place. The Santa Fe National Forest — a truly marvelous plot of land — covers most of the city. There are plateaus, mesas, and canyons galore. This is a major boon for those adventurers who like to traverse picturesque terrain.
For those who like a slower pace, there are golf courses in the area. There are also national parks and a ton of highly-priced areas (based on the scientists and engineers in the area).
Jericho, New York
John Parra/Getty Images
The city of Jericho sits near both Manhattan and Long Island. It serves as an ideal suburb for those who work in the city — though would rather live in a quieter place. Unsurprisingly, the school districts in Jericho are top-notch and rank among the best in the general area when compared to other institutions.
A multitude of famous people have called Jericho home/currently call Jericho home. Among them include Natalie Portman, Madison Beer, and Jamie Lynn-Sigler (among others). Another nice aspect from a privacy standpoint is the fact Jericho has reportedly less than 15,000 people within the city limits.
Morrisville, North Carolina
Licec/Getty Images
Morrisville is a smaller city nestled in between the bigger cities of Raleigh and Durham. This affluent community is one of the most diverse in all of North Carolina. In terms of enjoying various activities, there are nearly 10 parks from which families can go experience during warm weather months.
There are also some tech companies present (which makes sense considering its location among the noteworthy research triangle). As such, the area is highly purposed towards education and innovation.
Fargo, North Dakota
Davoud Davies/USA TODAY Sports
Most people know of Fargo from its namesake film/television show. However, there’s much more to this city than a bunch of people walking around in the snow with exaggerated accents. North Dakota isn’t exactly a hotbed for entertainment and frivolity. However, if you’re looking ‘for a good time’ on a weekend, you’d do well in Fargo.
The city has many very fun bars and restaurants. It’s also the location of North Dakota State University. Aside from various seasonal festivals, some may be surprised to learn that Fargo also is home to multiple museums, a theater company, a ballet company, and a symphony orchestra.
Madeira, Ohio
benkrut/Getty images
Whenever you’re aiming to buy a house and raise a family, you’re most likely looking for two things: Affordability and safety. Often this can be problematic for several reasons. However, the city of Madeira, Ohio is essentially the best of both worlds in this instance.
Various metrics consider it among the best ‘bang for your buck’ spots which also possess safety. The schools are great, and it’s very close in proximity to the city of Cincinnati. When further factoring in numerous outdoor activities such as parks, it’s a slam dunk spot to try and live.
Edmond, Oklahoma
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Oklahoma City features numerous suburbs — one of which happens to be the village of Edmond. The affordability of houses here is fantastic compared to most other places within the United States. Families are easily more able to procure their dream home here without having to break the proverbial bank.
As we’ve chronicled throughout the piece, this type of city is perfect for those who enjoy the perks of a big city close — though would rather live in a quieter place. As you can see from this picture above, golfing is also an activity enjoyed by those living within the city limits.
Bethany, Oregon
James Wengler/Getty images
The state of Oregon has seen a huge increase in population over the last 10 years. People from California have been flocking up to the Pacific Northwest jewel in droves. It’s cheaper than much of California, and it’s far greener with actual seasons. The town of Bethany is a perfect medium in a lot of ways. It’s got a ton of wealth (namely from the burgeoning tech scene in Portland).
It’s close to both Portland and the city of Beaverton (where the Nike Headquarters is located). There are plenty of job opportunities here, and it provides a nice, safe area for those looking to raise a family.
Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania
Alex Potemkin/getty images
Bucolic suburbs are all the rage right now — particularly for those wanting to buy a home for the first time. Something is calming and peaceful about possessing a property in more of a remote location without the aggravation of big city life. Chesterbrook offers this type of setting…and much more.
A nice aspect of Chesterbrook is the fact it’s less than 25 miles from Philadelphia. Locals can still pop into town for a 76ers game or a day at one of Philly’s beautiful museums. The schools are great, and there’s a real sense of community here.
Barrington, Rhode Island
Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
The image above really says it all. Barrington is a wonderful place to raise a family and meet friends. There’s a small-town feel to this place which makes you feel warmly welcomed. Walking dogs with your neighbors — and getting to know them in the process is something few places offer nowadays.
Barrington is not only relatively affordable, but it’s also close to both hiking and the ocean. What more could you ask for? Those lovers of the water and all it entails will especially be smitten by Barrington.
Forest Acres, South Carolina
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Located near the college town of Columbia (where the University of South Carolina sits), Forest Acres is quite the spot. For one thing, this city enjoys plenty of diversity — which directly correlates with the student population featuring attendees from everywhere around the country (and also the world). Forest Acres appeals to this younger crowd as a place to live, but older folks looking for a slower pace also happen to enjoy it thoroughly.
The population is roughly 10,000 people, allowing for its residents to not be inundated by traffic or congestion of any kind. In addition, Forest Acres has some local parks to enjoy.
Dakota Dunes, South Dakota
HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
As seen above, the area suffered from crazy flooding a few years ago. Fortunately, all of that damage has since been cleaned up. Dakota Dunes is a place in southeast South Dakota where most retirees live. There’s a very posh country club in the area, as well as a luxury retirement facility.
Despite having a population of less than 5,000 people, Dakota Dunes also comes equipped with four college campuses. The unique mix of younger people with retirees offers a wide spectrum of personalities for those living there to enjoy.
Brentwood, Tennessee
f11photo/Getty images
Brentwood is a hotspot for those living in the greater Nashville area. Families from all over the country are flocking to the city — and for good reason. The schools in the area are terrific, and the homes are quite impressive (as shown above). Many athletes, celebrities, and musicians have made Brentwood their home. This is often the case based on not wanting to live full-time in the city itself.
Among its more stunning features, Brentwood plays home to several captivating national parks. There’s plenty to do on weekends, and the expansive properties are very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Cinco Ranch, Texas
JUN DONG/Getty images
Throughout the years, numerous big cities have built smaller, upscale communities to account for the number of families moving into the area. Cinco Ranch is an example of such a place. Located relatively close to Houston, Cinco Ranch has many of the amenities people are looking for.
Aside from having a prominent library, Cinco Ranch has a golf course, a fleet of tennis courts, public pools, and a general set-up catering to those with families — as well as those who enjoy leisure activities. There’s even something called the Katy Amateur Radio Society which aims at giving people a chance to live out their dreams over the airwaves.
Kaysville, Utah
raclro/Getty images
Kaysville has developed into a massive draw for nature lovers. A suburb of Salt Lake City, Kaysville has everything you’d want as it pertains to the outdoors (hiking, biking, walking, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling). However, the benefit here is that the average home is considerably less than it is as you creep toward Salt Lake City.
Amidst the mountains also includes an amusement park, a very nice botanical gardens facility, and many of the elements you’d enjoy on a vacation somewhere in nature.
Norwich, Vermont
Tom Narwid/Getty Images
The Connecticut River separates Norwich from the town of Hanover, New Hampshire. One look at the fall season here tells you all you need to know. Much of the old money in Vermont happens to reside here (along with some of the new money as well). The opulent existence is buoyed by tremendously beautiful homes which were first crafted over 100 years ago.
Several very noteworthy people over the years have called Norwich home. Interestingly, a fair amount of Olympians have lived here in preparation for the Winter Olympic trials/games. As a whole, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful region of the country.
Stone Ridge, Virginia
Justin T. Gellerson for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Stone Ridge is located in a very fortuitous spot. Close to Washington Dulles International Airport, residents can hop on a flight with ease to virtually anywhere in the world. Along with that, there’s a wholesome feel to this town. We’re talking about tranquil neighborhood life with farmer’s markets and other communal activities.
It’s close enough to Washington D.C. for residents to go and enjoy the city life. Yet, it’s far enough away that some of the unsavory elements of a major city won’t trickle in. Adding to the rich nature of the city, the average median per household is said to be over $150,000.
Redmond, Washington
Mat Hayward/Getty Images
The tech boom has found its way charging up the West Coast, and the Greater Seattle area is squarely involved as a main point of activity. Redmond is a suburb of Seattle (which continues to increase in both value and price). With the area becoming more expensive, young professionals and families alike have set up shop here over the last couple of years.
Microsoft and Nintendo are both headquartered here, which allows the local economy to continue developing via the number of jobs being created. This is also an area widely known for bike riding and horse riding among its residents.
Star City, West Virginia
DenisTangneyJr/getty images
Star City is in relatively close proximity to Morgantown — home of West Virginia University. Sitting on the Monongahela River, inner tubing, boating, and fishing are major pastimes. Being a picturesque location, much of its appeal stems from outdoor activities. This includes walking trails among other things. Lastly, this is a city for those who enjoy remote existence. The population of this city is slightly less than 2,000 people.
Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Jaimie Tuchman/getty images
Elm Grove is considered by various written publications to be among the most attractive suburbs in the entire United States. Sitting in the southern part of the state, it’s almost equidistant between both Milwaukee and Chicago. People flock here during the summer months based on its beautiful scenery and access to enjoyable activities (tennis courts, pools, community centers, malls).
Since Elm Grove is relatively close to two major cities, it provides an opportunity for those living there to enjoy both spots essentially whenever they want. There are not many places within the U.S. offering that claim.
South Park, Wyoming
Brian Evans/Getty Images
The Grand Tetons National Park is sublime. It’s objectively and unquestionably one of the more beautiful areas in North America. South Park sits at the foothills of this gorgeous scene.
Not only are people close to this amazing national park, but you’d also be super close to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone Park, and a plethora of phenomenal ski resorts. You’d do exceptionally well making South Park your forever home!
