Top 10 cities to live in the U.S.
Have you been thinking about moving to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Welcome to our first article of the “best cities to live in” series, where we show you what the best places to live all around the world are. For the first article, the lucky winner is the USA! So, if you have been thinking about possibly moving to the USA one day, make sure to read this article to know where the best cities to live in America are.
10. Washington, DC
The capital of the USA, Washington, DC is a great place to live with its diverse personalities and a strong job market. The first thing that pops in your mind when you hear Washington, DC is probably the white house, as it’s known as the hub for politics. However, there is so much more than just politics going around in the Washington, DC area. There are lots of cultural activities, such as free museums you can explore, outdoor activities and a great scene for restaurants. Washington, DC can accommodate a variety of lifestyles, including your love for travel! With only a few hours’ drive away, you can easily visit other major cities such as New York and Philadelphia. Or, drive to the beach making it the perfect weekend getaway.
9. Sarasota, Florida
If you want to have warm weather all year round while being surrounded by award-winning beaches then Sarasota, Florida is the city for you. You simply can’t resist not living by the number one beach in the USA, where tourists and locals from all over travel far and wide to experience. Just got off work? Head to the beach and enjoy the sunset. Many have described the city as a tropical paradise with a thriving arts and cultural scene that cannot be overlooked. Oh, did we also mention you can find some of the best seafood here? Sarasota hosts some of the world-renowned showcases and yearly wine and food festivals for any foodie and wine lovers out there. Compared to other cities in America, Sarasota is also known to be more affordable making it the perfect place for any young professional.
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see… *wink*. The next one on the list is for all you coffee enthusiasts out there. Here in Nashville, Tennessee you can find local coffee shops EVERYWHERE. They are simply everywhere, you will definitely not run out of coffee shops to keep yourself caffeinated. Other than coffee shops being literally everywhere, Nashville also has a bar for every type of person. Don’t worry though, unlike other places, Nashville nightlife won’t break your bank. The place is actually affordable due to the lively bar scene filled with happy hours. Can’t help but wonder whether the bar scene is lively because everyone in the city is just heavily caffeinated. Coffee drinkers by day and cocktails by night.
Other than the amazing nightlife and coffee shops, Nashville’s job market is blossoming with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. In recent years there has been an explosion of small startups and businesses in the area. If you are searching for new opportunities, Nashville may be the best city to live in America for you.
7. Raleigh, Durham, North Carolina
A vibrant city surrounded by greenery awaits in the south is Raleigh, Durham in North Carolina. The city has also earned the nickname “City of Oaks”. If you haven’t guessed already, yes, the city is filled with oak trees and loads of green space for you to be surrounded by. For people who love being around nature and the feeling of being in a forest, then this place is a must because it is the perfect combination of city and nature. If you want to live in a peaceful place, Raleigh could be for you. Not many people know of Raleigh which is also why there aren’t many tourists here either. Living here you will be properly submerged with the locals.
6. Seattle, Washington
Welcome to the birthplace of some of the most legendary artists; Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana… just to name a few. Seattle is a calm and patient area close to nature with a huge art scene for any art-lovers out there, including many cultural museums to wander around. If you are feeling a little more sporty, you can easily take a short one hour drive to go swimming at the beach or spend your winter at the glacier from Seattle. This city is well rounded, with lots of diversity and tons to do. However, the housing prices in Seattle are quite expensive compared to anywhere else in America, so if you decide to move here make sure to check out the housing prices before getting into any financial distress. Unleash your inner artist in one of the best cities to live in America.
5. Portland, Oregon
Let’s keep Portland weird, is the slogan of the city. Portland is a city that isn’t for everybody, but if you are up for the time of your life then you will love the weird side that Portland has to offer. Even though Portland is known for its weirdness, the city population also has the highest number of academic degrees compared to the national average. Plenty of intellectuals to go around.
One of the greatest things about Portland has to be that the city takes environmental issues very seriously as it was the first city to pass a green tax in America! You won’t find a single plastic bag in Portland as it is completely banned. Besides being environmentally friendly, the city is said to be perfect for millennials, with lots of hand-made items, vintage stores, cute craft stores, and lots of events to keep yourself busy. Another thing to keep in mind as a European is that compared to other major American cities, Portland is walkable. You don’t need to own a car as you can bike everywhere or use public transportation.
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
The city Minneapolis-St. Paul makes it to the top list of best cities to live in America for many years and was originally home to European immigrants when they first migrated to America. You can find notable landmarks and the largest mansion here from the 1800s! It is a very beautiful, clean city in all four seasons surrounded by lakes everywhere. Even though you are living in the city you will still feel like you are getting enough greenery and water. The people of Minneapolis are known to be active and take full advantage of all four seasons, festivals, ice fishing, you name it – they do it all. Minneapolis is also home to many fortune 100 companies with a booming job market for anyone who is interested in new opportunities making it one of the highest living standards in the country.
3. San Francisco, California
If you haven’t heard of San Francisco, then where have you been all your life? The heart of the bohemians and the center of the LGBT movement, with a flourishing tech and startup scene. The city is warm all year round making it perfect for anyone who wants to escape the winters and enjoy the true city life. Living in San Francisco, you will never lack vibrant colorful neighborhoods and its true beauty of the arts and culture scene nor will you ever miss out on the incredible views from your home window. You won’t ever find yourself being bored because there is always something happening weekly, food festivals, music festivals, arts festival, every kind of festival you can possibly think of is happening right here in San Francisco. Does this sound like something you could be a part of?
2. Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado has to be one of the most stunning nature cities in America, it’s home to almost 60 mountains! Everyone who has ever gone to Denver has described how beautiful it is. If you drive away from the city a little and go into nature, you can see the night sky light up with a million stars like nowhere else. It’s incredible how many stars you will be able to see, you just can’t help but be mesmerized by it.
Of course, with this many mountains, it also happens to be the best city for skiing in America. If you love doing winter sports, there is no doubt that you will ever run out of places to ski or snowboard at. Overall Denver, Colorado is an active and adventurous place, home to 4 major league sports; Football, Baseball, hockey, and basketball. This is the best city to live in America for anyone who loves to stay active.
1. Austin, Texas
The capital of Texas, Austin awaits with its lively country music and culture festivals. Austin is growing rapidly with 150 new residents moving here not weekly but daily, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Grab your best cowboy boots and start square dancing to some of the best country music in the world.
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Because you can’t forget about the incredible Texas barbeque sauce either paired with a good set of ribs, and maybe some tacos on the side. Austin is known for its love of local restaurants, so you definitely don’t want to miss out if you are a hardcore foodie. Now there’s a reason why Austin tops the first in the list, it has a very broad and diverse culture with a wide variety of things to do and see, while also being the hot spot for venture capital investment in America. Austin is becoming a very popular destination for people to work and live in amongst professionals. Could this be your next spot?
Have we helped you decide where the best city to live in America is for you? If you want to experience the city yourself before moving there, why not plan or join trips with JoinMyTrip and see it for yourself with other like-minded travelers!
Fancy some more travel inspiration? Check out our other articles below:
