5 Thriving Cities to Raise Your Family in 2019
By Indy Summers
The goal for most Americans is to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The ability for them to do this resides largely in where they live to a certain extent. While there are a number of amazing cities to live in these United States that would allow people to reach this goal, the five on this list count as something special. They offer safe spaces to move around and explore, cultural offerings, and plenty of access to all the finer things in life.
1. Vienna Virginia
Vienna, Virginia has been named one of the 50 Safest Cities in Which to Raise a Family by SafeWise.com. The site gave this D.C. area city an overall safety score of 85.06 out of a 100 and a walkability score of 88.
With the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts nearby, people living in Vienna can enjoy the fine arts without ever having to take a trek to Washington, D.C. Another big draw is the new concert series Kids on the Green, which was created specifically for youngsters. This and other activities give your children a safe entertainment outlet that’s easily accessible and always engaging and in your neck of the woods to boot.
2. St. George, Utah
St. George Utah has some of the lowest costs of living in the nation. The area is the perfect location if your family is looking for an adventure. It’s at the intersection, where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert. There are plenty of St. George Utah events in town to keep you and your family occupied, but the real adventure starts once you head for the hills so to speak.
Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park, and Quail Creek Park are all within driving distance. As you spend time hiking, biking, and generally exploring this area, you’ll be hard-pressed to remember why you’d ever want to live anyplace else. And with medium home prices being around the $213,000 range, living here is not only exciting, but affordable, too.
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Life in Colorado is so inviting that John Denver wrote about it in his hit song, “Rocky Mountain High.” While places like Denver might get more play, spots like Colorado Springs offer every bit as much access to the Great Outdoors, but at a much slower pace, according to U.S. News.
These cities offer a low cost of living and equally low unemployment rates. It’s also a place where you’ll find excellent schools for your kids, cultural attractions, and of course, access to the natural world. It sits close to ski-destination cities, like Vail and Aspen, making it the jumping off point for winter sports without the big price tag. U.S. News ranks it #2 in the “Best Places to Live” category and #33 in the “Best Places to Retire.”
4. Greenwich, Connecticut
Although Greenwich, Connecticut is only about an hour away from New York City, it’s charming streets and clean New England lifestyle make it seem like it’s a world away. It also made SafeWise’s 50 Safest Cities list, giving it a score of 85.44 as an overall safety score and a walkability score of 94.
The Greenwich International Film Festival, the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, and the Bruce Museum are just some of the draws of living here. Additionally, easy access to Long Island Sound gives it a seaside village vibe. And with employers like Blue Sky Studios, those who love the entertainment industry but who don’t want to work in NYC will find a creative home here as well.
5. Burlington, Wisconsin
Once ardent foodies hear that Burlington is home to the annual ChocolateFest, chances are that this city is the place they’ll want to call home. Each year, 35K+ visitors come to celebrate everything chocolate in one of the Midwest’s safest and most charming cities.
But that’s not all this place has to offer. It’s a safe place to live, earning an 85.70 out of a 100 on SafeWise’s list. This means kids can enjoy the local parks or a walk to school without much worry. The slow pace and laid-back lifestyle mean that mom and dad can thrive here, too.
Final Thoughts on Thriving Cities
Living in a vibrant city counts as just way to live the American dream. Those who live in America’s best cities enjoy access to cultural offerings, amazing entertainment, and a safe way of life. Many cities in the U.S. can offer this. The five on this list count as some of the best of the best among them.