There are many U.S. cities that meet the criteria of being good places to live for families. The main factors that make a particular city desirable include a low crime rate, good schools, access to parks, museums and other types of recreation, the cost of living and home prices.
Other questions to ask before moving are: what is the jobless rate? Is there job growth? What is the average age of the inhabitants? Are there outdoor sports year-round? Is there a university nearby?
One city that stands out is Ann Arbor, Michigan. The crime rate in Ann Arbor is about half the national average and the median family income is high. The University of Michigan is there. The public educational system in Ann Arbor is ranked as one of the best in the country. There are many city parks. If being near a major city is important to you, Ann Arbor is only 40 miles from Detroit. One drawback is the long winters.
Where To Live When You Make Your Next Move
If you don’t mind cold, long winters, you might opt for Madison, Wisconsin, which also has a low crime rate. There is a major university there as well, the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Madison also has a very low unemployment rate and reasonable house prices. There are several biotech research centers in Madison and many parks.
West Hartford, Connecticut boasts top-performing schools, but the cost of living is higher there and slow job growth.
Raleigh, North Carolina has high-tech industries and job growth is over 6%. There are many good schools in Raleigh and more parks than most other comparable cities. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located there. Raleigh has mild weather.
Dubuque, Iowa is ranked high or at the top of some lists, due to its low unemployment, which is half the national rate. Short commute times for most of its citizens makes Dubuque an attractive choice for many.
Kennewick, Washington has a solid local economy, the unemployment rate is low, and Kennewick is close to three major rivers, for families who enjoy outdoor sports. One negative aspect for some is that Kennewick is not near any major cities.
And finally, Casper, Wyoming fulfills many of the requirements of a great city in which to raise a family. Low housing costs and beautiful mountains are two good reasons to consider Casper.
