While the top places to live might differ between different publications, there are U.S. towns and cities that appear near the top of all lists.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
CNNMoney.com ranks the small city of Eden Prairie, Minnesota (population 64,000) as the overall top place to live in the USA for 2010, mainly because of its thriving economy in spite of the ongoing recession, and excellent job opportunities (the unemployment rate is 5.1%–far lower than both the county rate and the US national average).
Apart from the booming economy, Eden Prairie is a great place for families to set up home, with 17 lakes perfect for swimming and ice skating, top quality schools and a low crime rate.
Yuma, Arizona
When it comes to weather, most of us want to live somewhere that is warm and mild with plenty of sunshine.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the sunniest city not only in the USA but in the entire world is Yuma, Arizona.
Yuma receives, on average, only three inches of rainfall per year and is sunny every three out of four days. Yuma’s population of around 100,000 doubles in size during the winter months; when other US cities turn cold and windy and experience heavy rain and snowfall, Yuma stays hot, dry and sunny which makes this city one of the best places to live in.
If natural Vitamin D is high on your list of priorities, Yuma might be worth considering for your next move. Other attractions of the city include the nearby Kofa Mountain Range and wildlife refuge, thus making it one of the best places you live in as a retiree.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
According to the Bert Sperling study, the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts provides the best medical care options compared to the majority of US cities.
There are 35 hospitals or medical centers in the city, four of which are accredited hospitals within 10 miles of the city center, including Cambridge Health Alliance and Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.
Cambridge has a population of around 105,000 and is a largely residential area with limited park land. It is also well known as an academic city due to the number of colleges and universities it offers.
Ultimately, the best places to live in comes down to your personal preferences and the specific criteria you are looking for. Most people want to live somewhere that ticks more than one box. What works for one person might not work for another.
Keeping abreast of the hot spots in the country, however, it can give you plenty of food for thought, particularly if you are contemplating a move to a whole other state than you are not familiar with. Do your research, read about lots of different cities and towns and see what appeals to you the most.
Return to the Best Places to Retire in USA Page
Click here to Return to Cheapest Places to Retire
