Ready to move to a new city? Looking to live in one of the best places in the United States?
Whether you’re looking for a better job, a fresh start or you’re simply stuck in a rut – change can be a good thing. Thankfully, our beautiful country is home to thousands of amazing cities. From large, densely populated metropolises to quaint, mid-size towns, there’s a city to fit everyone’s individual lifestyles, interests and budgets. Before you start the house-hunting process though, we recommend taking a look at these 10 great places (listed below alphabetically) to call home. In our opinion – and many others – these metro areas offer booming job markets and a high quality of life, as well as plenty of cultural activities, good eats and beautiful surroundings!
Atlanta, GA – Looking for great weather, schools and job opportunities? Consider moving to the Atlanta, Georgia area. This fast-growing southern city offers all this and more. The capital of Georgia is quickly becoming a hotspot for young professionals, given its thriving business landscape and cost-efficient housing markets in nearby suburban towns. Not only does the city boast a high median annual income of $50,424, but it also claims the fifth highest job growth rate in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report. With major companies, like Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola and The Home Depot, all calling Atlanta home, it’s certainly a city to consider when choosing a new place to live.
Austin, TX – Without a doubt, the state capital of Texas is one of the best places to live in America. While Texas boasts a multitude of thriving cities and towns to choose from, Austin is certainly one of its more interesting areas. This wonderfully “weird” city’s culture, restaurant scene and job market make it a magnet for millennials. According to NerdWallet’s latest study, Austin is also the best large city in America for job seekers. The study, which took into account unemployment rates, monthly rental rates and salaries, found that Austin residents earn a median annual income of $45,669. This city is also a particularly great place to live if you’re a young professional. The study found a higher-than-average percentage of 20-somethings in Austin – many of them working in the technology sector at places like Dell, Apple and IBM.
Denver, CO – Have a hankering for the great outdoors? We recommend moving to the beautiful city of Denver, Colorado. The Mile High City, famous for its ideal location at the base of the Rocky Mountains, offers numerous outdoor activities nearby, including skiing and snowboarding, as well as plenty of other recreational things to do. With a median annual income of $47,741, the state capital of Colorado features a thriving cultural scene, beautiful surroundings, unique weather and – best of all – plenty of tech jobs in the aerospace industry. The city is such a great place to live that U.S. News & World Report even ranked it as number one in its most recent “Best Places to Live” list.
Jersey City, NJ – Located just across the Hudson from the bright lights of Manhattan, Jersey City is quickly gaining attention for being one of the best cities in terms of cost-of-living and lifestyle factors. According to a study by SmartAsset, the New Jersey town is the number one most livable city in the United States. Residents of Jersey City benefit from high salaries and a lower cost-of-living, thanks to the city’s affordable housing market and access to top jobs in the New York City area. According to the study, Jersey City also has the third-highest income after housing and ranked fourth in overall walkability.