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Methodology -

U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live rankings help readers decide where to settle by evaluating cities using data from various sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the FBI. The data is categorized into four indexes (Quality of Life, Value, Desirability, and Job Market), and weighted according to public preferences from a February 2024 survey. Each index measures different aspects of city life, such as crime rates, education quality, affordability, desirability, and employment opportunities.

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30. Atlanta, GA -

Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation and is known for its culture and commerce. There you'll find big-city life with small-town Southern charm.

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29. Knoxville, TN -

Here you'll find not only the University of Tennessee, but lots of cultural charm. The city is very affordable, and buying a home here is often much less expensive than in other metro areas in the country.

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28. Seattle, WA -

Seattle is surrounded by mountains and water on two sides, and the natural beauty is a big component of why life in Seattle is so good. The city is known for being very chill, relaxed, and having patient residents.

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27. Chattanooga, TN -

Chattanooga has a great downtown living scene with film festivals, farmers' markets, and small, owner-operated businesses.

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26. Hickory, NC -

Hickory is loved in part due to its close proximity to Charlotte and Asheville. The area is growing, and new restaurants, retail stores, bars, and more are popping up. While its history is in furniture, hosiery, and textiles, today tech giants like Google and Apple both have data centers here.

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25. South Bend, IN -

Home to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend offers a low cost of living and numerous parks and attractions for residents. Despite economic challenges and a population decline after major manufacturers closed, South Bend is making a comeback.

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24. Lincoln, NE -

Lincoln is home to Memorial Stadium, which hosts over 85,000 fans on Saturdays when a college football is being played. It is also the capital and second-largest city of Nebraska.

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23. Greensboro, NC -

Greensboro is a relatively big city, with over 317,000 citizens, that still has a small-town feel. It is also a short distance to major cities in North Carolina. It's a popular place for arts, entertainment, recreation, and shopping.

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22. San Francisco, CA -

Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own feel and vibe. It's a beautiful city that is full off landmarks and trend-setting residents. The area calls to everyone, from entrepreneurs to retirees. Despite high and still rising costs, it's undoubtedly a great place to live.

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21. Fayetteville, AR -

Newcomers to Fayetteville often mention how friendly the residents are. It is also home to the Tyson Foods headquarters and the University of Arkansas. There are loads of performing arts centers and a dynamic festival scene.

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20. Fort Wayne, IN -

Fort Wayne is a midsized, midwestern city that has undergone revitalization in the downtown and riverfront areas and is enticing younger residents to make it their home. Fort Wayne also has a thriving art scene like you might find in a big city.

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19. Ann Arbor, MI -

Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and is considered to have a fast-growing start-up scene and international community. Whether you're looking more for city life or year-round outdoor recreation, Ann Arbor may be your place.

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18. Omaha, NE -

Omaha is affordable and has a strong economy that attracts young professionals. It's also a very safe place with a lot of educational opportunities and family-friendly activities for those with kids.

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17. Asheville, NC -

Asheville, despite becoming more touristy lately, retains its independent spirit, with public art, a laid-back attitude, and a unique charm that continues to attract people.

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16. Oklahoma City, OK -

Oklahoma City is influenced by its Western heritage, though today it's becoming more cosmopolitan. The city has felt more energetic in recent years as younger residents have come into town.

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15. Lexington, KY -

Residents in Lexington enjoy college basketball, locally sourced cuisine, outdoor recreation, and bourbon (if they're fans). Additionally, the temperate climate, diverse job market, and low cost of living make it ideal for young professionals, families, and retirees.

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14. Madison, WI -

The city's booming healthcare, IT, and manufacturing sectors have resulted in new luxury housing and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Madison manages nonetheless to retain its small-town vibe, drawing in many who come for the university or job opportunities.

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13. Charleston, SC -

Blending historic preservations and new development, Charleston is very unique. It has that Southern charm and hospitality mixed in with award-winning establishments, making it a great place to live.

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12. Green Bay, WI -

Green Bay manages to capture a mix of Midwestern, small-town feel with the added benefit of big-city amenities. Here you'll also find a thriving craft beer industry. For football fans, Green Bay is home to the NFL's Green Bay Packers!

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11. Sarasota, FL -

With a vibrant arts scene and beachy atmosphere, Sarasota offers a lot to residents and tourists alike. From its downtown area where you'll find resorts and fine dining, to its intimate seaside, Sarasota has it all.

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10. Boulder, CO -

In Boulder, residents typically ask one another "What do you do?" and they don't mean professionally. Instead, they're referring to what is one's choice of activity! From trail runners to hikers, climbers, cyclists, and beyond, Boulder boasts something for everyone.

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9. Austin, TX -

Austin is a laid-back city where people enjoy the outdoors. There are many companies headquartered in Austin, namely in the fields of technology, education, and healthcare. Austin also attracts many visitors with its live music events.

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8. Virginia Beach, VA -

Virginia Beach has the largest concentration of military personnel outside of the Pentagon and offers niche opportunities to people in both the civilian and government sectors. These opportunities make the area more attractive.

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7. Huntsville, AL -

In Huntsville, there has been a recent downtown revitalization that has brought new shopping, dining, and living options. It was once a quiet farming town that gained national recognition during the 1960's Space Race, and is now one of Alabama's fastest-growing metro areas.

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6. Raleigh, NC -

Home to a young, friendly, diverse, and educated populace, Raleigh makes our sixth spot on the list. There is a strong sense of community in Raleigh, and considerable job growth.

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5. Charlotte, NC -

Charlotte is the second-largest banking hub in the US, only behind New York City. The city itself takes pride in its cityscape, which boasts several skyscrapers. Charlotte also has diverse neighborhoods and suburban areas.

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4. Greenville, SC -

In Greenville, you'll find mild temperatures year-round as well as a low cost of living. It's found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has many big-city amenities like fancy restaurants, businesses, and bars.

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3. Colorado Springs, CO -

The city features unique areas, including thriving suburbs in the north and east, a lively and easy-to-navigate downtown, a sophisticated south side highlighted by Cheyenne Cañon and the historic Broadmoor hotel, and a west side with eateries and shops that evoke the 1890's gold rush era.

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2. Boise, ID -

Boise is the place if you love the outdoors. Here you can spend time on the river or in the mountains, canyons, and deserts. In the evenings, residents can dine on locally sourced cuisine and enjoy the opera.

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1. Naples, FL -

Naples can be found between the edges of the Everglades and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. This retirement-friendly spot is also the top pick for the best place to live in the US! Its location near beaches makes it an ideal place to call home.

Source: (U.S. News & World Report)

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