The average American can expect to move at least 11 times in their lifetime. Moving can be a sign of a new opportunity – either a new job or the accumulation of wealth – or instability due to job loss or foreclosure. Either way, a newly married couple should choose a location that is conducive to their overall pursuit of happiness and economic prosperity.
With that in mind, here are the top five places (in no particular order) to raise a family based on key metrics like relative cost of housing, quality of health care and education systems, opportunities for recreation, and crime rate.
1. Irvine, California
Irvine, CA has continually appeared as one of the best places to live on various online publications, and for a good reason. The city is home to great public schools, a lively economy and low crime rates compared to the rest of the country. The city is home to about 100,000 people and is billed as the Best Run City in the U.S. Irvine is home to many major businesses and there is no shortage of jobs in the finance and technology sectors. This makes it a favorable city for fathers and mothers looking for jobs to support their families. In addition, the city hosts several parks, public libraries and the Irvine Global Village Festival.
2. Cedar City, Utah
As a small university town, Cedar City, UT, is famous for being one of the most budget-friendly cities in the U.S. Although income levels may not be as high as some other cities, cost of living here more than makes up for it. In fact, the Cedar City real estate market is within reach of most people’s wallets and you can get much more bang for your buck than many other urban areas. And contrary to popular opinion, the region is far from boring. The Southern Utah University is not only the biggest employer in town, but is the cultural center hosting a huge number of events like the Utah Shakespeare Festival that runs annually from summer to fall.
3. Greenwich, Connecticut
Connecticut is an upper middle class city that is said to among the safest cities in America. It is home to a thriving culture with a choral society, natural history museum and an orchestra. The rail travel to Manhattan’s Grand Central Station makes this city ideal for dads and moms who are working in the city, but love the suburban lifestyle offered by Greenwich. There are several landmarks including islands, bird sanctuaries and wildlife habitats that will certainly become a favorite weekend activity for your kids. Plus, there are several private and public schools that graduate a huge number of students to the nation’s top colleges.
4. Keller, Texas
With a population of about 45,000, Keller, TX is found to the north of Fort Worth. The city offers you and your family exceptionally low crime rates, scenic landscaping and top-ranked schools. In fact, two schools in this location have made it to the list of the best high schools in America. Economically, the city is hailed as one of the most stable cities in Texas. Keller is idealized as the best location for what a perfect southern town should be for a stable, happy and healthy family.
5. Boulder, Colorado
Do you love fresh air? Then waking up to refreshingly beautiful Colorado mountains will make every day your day. Boulder also happens to be home to one of America’s greatest universities – the University of Colorado. The excellent school system, relatively low crime rate and awe-inspiring scenes make Boulder one of the best places for a family to live in.
Everybody wants to offer his or her family the very best, including a suitable household in an area where there a proper school system and a low crime rate. In consideration of these factors, you will certainly find that the cities listed above offer all these plus a host of fun things to do, a bustling culture and individuals of similar mindsets and goals.