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Best Places to Live in the US

Best Places to Live in California

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San Diego

San Diego is a city in Southern California and home to a large culturally diverse populatrion of over 1.43 million residents. This makes it the eighth largest urban area in the US. The city is renowned for its rich cultural and demographic diversity, pristine sandy beaches, pleasant sunny weather, and dozens of unique attractions. This area is one of the best places to live in the Golden State for a myriad of reasons.

A growing job market, reasonable housing costs, and plenty of entertainment options make the city an attractive destination for young professionals and families looking for a vibrant SoCa city to call home.

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Cost of Living

The cost of living in this city is higher than the national average. Compared to other cities in California such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, the city has reasonable housing costs and utility prices. The median per capita income is $41,112 while the median household income averages at $79,673.

The median home value in the area is $870,575, a value that is adjusted seasonally. Renting an apartment in San Diego will set you back on average $2,235 a month depending on factors such as location and size.

Education

San Diego ranks highly in the quality of education offered both nationally and at the state level. The city is home to a number of highly-acclaimed school districts that include the San Diego Unified School District, San Dieguito Union High School District, San Marcos Unified School District, Vista Unified School District, the Poway Unified School District, and more.

The city is also home to some of the nation’s top universities, colleges, and vocational training schools. Most notably, the University of California San Diego,

University of San Diego, San Diego State University, San Diego City College,

San Diego Miramar College Aviation Operations, Cuyamaca College, John Paul the Great Catholic University, MiraCosta College, and others.

Fun Things to Do

San Diego’s prime location along California’s Pacific coast makes it a popular tourist destination thanks to its sandy beaches and warm sunny days. There are a number of gardens and botanical parks open to the public. The Fig Tree Garden and Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden offer nature lovers an opportunity to explore lush green spaces and discover dozens of exotic plant species. San Diego boasts a lively restaurant scene and a diverse culinary culture.

Arguably, the heart and soul of the city’s food scene is the food truck. The cuisines here are as diverse as the local population with Mexican, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and British influences to mention a few.

The city’s downtown area is lined with endless world-class shops, performing arts venues, museums, and cultural attractions worth checking out. The city offers its residents a high quality of life making it one of the best places to live in California by a long shot.

Santa Monica

Fancy a taste of authentic Southern California living? Or perhaps a place to raise a family and grow a career? Well, Santa Monica might just be the place for you. So why is Santa Monica one of the best places to live in California? A steadily growing job market, affordable housing, and excellent schools notwithstanding, the city offers its residents plenty of entertainment options and more.

The city has a healthy, cultiurally diverse population of 88,991 composed of a mostly white majority (). The city has continued to experience growth since the late 80s, attributable to the revitalization of its downtown area. The city has recorded significant growth in the job market, improved tourist numbers, and a steady rise in the number of people moving here. There are stunning beach front homes along the Pacific Coast Highway but thats just a taste of what the city has to offer.

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Cost of Living in Santa Monica

Santa Monica’s cost of living is 146.6% higher than the national average and 119% higher than the California average. This places it in the company of expensive places to live in the Golden State.

Although figures may vary, other factors such as the cost of renting or buying a house, food, utilities, and transportation are important considerations. The median per capita income in Santa Monica is $58,252 while the median household income is $74,535 a year. According to U.S News, the average price of a house in this city is $1,240,474 while monthly rental costs for a 2 bedroom house will set you back $2,700.

Education

Santa Monica boasts a number of top-ranked schools in terms of academic performance at state and national levels. The same school district serves the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu with many options for primary and secondary schools. Universities and colleges in the area include the like of Art Institute of California, Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, Mount St. Mary’s College, Santa Monica College, University of California, University of Pheonix, Culver City Learning Center, University of Southern California, Rand Graduate School

Fun Things to Do

The city has plenty of exciting places you can visit with the most lively nightlife scene. There are a number of comedy clubs bars and nightclubs in the city. The downtown area hosts a number of world-class shops and hundreds of businesses devoted to serving your every need, from dining, entertainment and more. The Santa Monica Beach is another must see. The beach offers visitors and residents a range of fun activities such as surfing, swimming and of course beach volleyball.

The city has a number of bike paths meaning if you just moved here, you can explore the city without having to drive aaround. The Santa Monica pier houses an amusement park that is complete with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, an entertaining arcade, and a solar-powered Ferris wheel.

Mountain View

Mountain View is a city located in California’s Silicon Valley and named so for its scenic views of the majestic Santa Cruz mountains. The city is home to the biggest names in tech including Google, Mozilla, Samsung Electronics, Microsoft, and more. The city is easily one of the best places to live in California and an attractive destination for young families and professionals dabbling in the tech industry. best places to live in california for families

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Cost of Living in Mountain View, CA

The median home price in this city is $1,979,694 while the average price of renting an apartment is $3,108. Living costs here are higher than both national and state averages. This however comes with a high quality of life, excellent housing options, plenty of exciting entertainment options, and more.

The median per capita income in this area is $79,840 while the median household income is $143,720. While utilities, food, and other consumables cost slightly higher than state and national averages, the higher per capita income makes up for this compared to other places such as San Jose, and Santa Rosa.

Education

Mountain View School District oversees the management of education in ten elementary schools, two middle schools, and two learning centers.

There are a number of top-ranked institutions of higher learning in the area that include Carnegie Mellon University, California Science and Technology University, Stanford University, Palo Alto University, Santa Clara University, Menlo College, and San Jose State University to mention a few.

Fun Things to Do

Mountain view played a critical role in the rise of Silicon Valley to what it is today. The city is renowned for its beautiful views of the Santa Cruz mountains and borders Los Altos and the San Francisco Bay in the north.

The city has walkable downtown streets that are packed with loads of attractions and fun things to do. Popular tourist attractions include the Computer History Museum, the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, the Shoreline Amphitheatre, and the Mountain View Farmers Market.

The city also boasts loads of world-class fine dining establishments and popular restaurants serving up a selection of culturally-inspired and regional dishes. Mountain view also offers nature lovers green open spaces, hiking, and biking trails.

A number of the world’s largest names in tech are headquartered in this area and include Google, Intuit, Symantec, and the Mozilla Foundation. The area is no doubt a top contender for the best places to live in California.

Irvine

Irvine is a South California city with a population of 316,860 comprised of a mostly white majority (47.8%), African American (2.4%), Asian (43.0%), and Hispanic (10.4%). The city boasts a rapidly expanding job market, and has an abundance of parks and green spaces. The city has been named among the happiest places to live and work in. It ranks highly in terms of mental and physical wellness, low crime rate and income growth metrics making it one of the best places to live in California.

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Living Costs

How does the copst of living in Irvine compare to other SoCa cities such as San Jose and Santa Rosa? Well, although Irvine, San Jose and Santa Rosa’s cost of living are slightly higher than the national and state averages, all three cities pale in comparison to similar sized metros in terms of housing costs, utilities and other miscellaneous costs.

The median house price in this city is $1,087,870 while monthly rental charges cost $2,600 for a decent-sized apartment. While the real estate market in most California cities is quite competitive and higher priced than most places, Irvine is relatively affordable to potential home owners. The median per capita income is $50,016 and the medianhousehold income is $105,130.

Education in Irvine

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has time and time agin ranked among the best public school districts in the state and nationally as well. The school district serves a diverse student population of 36,000, enrolled in 24 elementary schools, one early childhood learning center, four K-8 schools, six middle schools, five comprehensive high schools, and one alternative high school.

Universities and colleges in the area include a number of leading institutions of higher learning that include Concordia University, University of California Irvine, Irvine Valley College, and Chapman University to mention a few.

Places to Visit

Irvine has beautiful warm weather all year round making it the perfect place for the outdoor enthusiast, and pet owner. Its coastal location along the Southern Califonia coastline allows it access to gorgeous sandy beaches.

The city boasts more than 16,000 acres of nature parks and dedicated green spaces with unlimited access to local ecosystems, hiking, and biking trails. The downtown area is popular for its abundance of shops and restaurants. The Irvine spectrum also offers the city’s residence access to world class shopping options.

The city also boats a number of historical attractions, museums and cultural centers. For the foodies, Irvine plays host to a number of colorful food festivals and numerous high-end restaurants. best places to live in california for families

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A U.S News report ranked Irvine as the 12th happiest city in America which makes it one of the best places to live in California. The city is a great place to raise a family and grow a career.

Los Angeles

Moving to L.A is for most people, what dreams are made of. The city of angels has enchanted many from as far back as the 1920s. The city has a solid foundation in the oil and gas, farming, tourism, and real estate industries. But arguably, what Los Angeles is most recognizable for is its world-famous motion picture industry. The city has a booming job market, plenty of gorgeous housing options spread out across its 88 cities, communities, and suburbs. Here’s why we think L.A is one of the best places to live in California.

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Cost of Living In Los Angeles

Living in L.A comes with its fair share of reasonably priced living costs which are influenced by factors such as choice of neighborhood, transport costs, utilities, and other overhead costs. Generally, the average cost of living in this city is higher than the national average and the California average as well. The median home value in L.A is $918,450 while monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment costs $2,520.

The average per capita income is $43,350 while the median household income levels at $68,045.

Education

Los Angeles is home to some of the premier institutions of higher learning in the United States. Some of the biggest names that call L.A home includes several top-ranked colleges and universities, such as the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles Trade Technical College, and the Pacific States University, among several others.

The city offers learners and parents numerous curriculum options spread out across a number of public, charter, magnet, private, international, and special needs schools.

Places to Visit

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Los Angeles is the second-biggest city in the United States by population and infrastructure. The city has for the longest time been revered for its warm Mediterranean climate, a culturally rich and ethnically diverse population whose influence on the local cuisine is undoubtedly visible.

Other than Hollywood and a sprawling metropolis, the area offers tons of fun activities and captivating attractions all year long. There are a number of theme parks and amusement parks, museums, historical and cultural attractions, and plenty of fun outdoor activities for kids and pet owners.

The food culture of L.A is heavily influenced by the local population makeup and is among the liveliest, most colorful displays of culinary excellence you’ll find anywhere in California. You can tour the various famous neighborhoods, landmarks of cultural significance, and botanical gardens in the city.

If the beach and soaking up a bit of sunshine sound like more of your thing, the city lies adjacent to the Pacific Ocean with some of the most picturesque views of sunset. L.A needs no introduction and is easily one of the best places to live in California.

San Francisco

The state capital of California is an unsurprising favorite for many who choose to call it home. The city is easily one of the best places to live in California for several reasons. The job market in this city has been on an upward trend for a while now and for a metro of its size, San Francisco assures its residents of their safety with a low crime rate.

The northern California city of 875,114 boasts a rich cultural diversity and is the forth largest metro by populatiuon in the state.

Cost of Living

Living costs in this city are above both state and national averages. The city has a median home price of $1,526,100 while monthly rental costs for a two bedroom apartment will cost you $3,102.

The median per capita income in this area is $68,883 while the median household income is $112,449.

Education in San Francisco

Education in this area is overseen by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) that serves over 57000 students. The school district is the seventh largest school district in tue Golden State with 114 public schools.

San Francisco being at the heart of Silicon Valley, makes it arguably one of the leading destinations for higher learning with promise of exciting opportunities in the tech, e-commerce, aerospace and more. The city and the whole Bay Area is home to some of the best universities in the state such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of San Francisco and more.

Fun Things to Do

The city is home to perhaps the most recognizable physical and historical attractions in California. You can visit the (in)famous Alcatraz Island, a popular historical attraction. The Golden Gate bridge is another of the city’s must-see sights as well as the San Francisco Museum of Mordern Art.

The city offers a wide selection of restaurants, acres of green spaces and an unforgettable experience at the Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront.

You can explore San Francisco and its various attractions spread out across 39 neighborhoods on the city’s cable car system. Simply put, San Francisco deserves its place among the best places to live in California.

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Best Places to Live in Tennessee

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Chattanooga, Hamilton County TN.

Chattanooga is a city in the state of Tennessee with a population of 184,561. Living in Chattanooga offers its residents a mix of quiet, suburban living blended with fast-paced city life. This makes it one of the best places to live in Tennessee. The city is nestled between the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains. The great smoky mountains are also within reach of Chattanooga.

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Cost of Living

The city consists of 39 neighborhoods and suburbs with a median home price of $255K or $150 per square foot. The presence of major employers such as McKee Foods Corp, Volkswagen of America, ensures the residents have a steady income. Chattanooga’s cost of living is 3% lower than the national average while the utility prices are also lower by 6%.

Housing expenses are 2% higher than the US average median home price is about $352,205 while the median rent is $1,103 per month. Most residents own their homes.

Education in Chattanooga

Families and individuals that call Chattanooga home have access to quality education in some of the best schools in the country. A number of schools in the county are ranked among some of the country’s most prestigious learning institutions.

Chattanooga is home to 13 magnet public and private schools that teach environmental science, math, fine arts, science, liberal arts, and technology. A number of charter schools, offer specialized curriculum to prospective students. Notable mentions include the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and private institutions such as the Southern Adventist University.

Places To Visit

Ruby Falls, located in Chattanooga, is the biggest underground waterfall in the United States. It is a 145-foot waterfall that is absolutely breathtaking and with both day and nighttime tours available, you have plenty of reasons to visit. There are hiking trails that lead to serene lakes, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks such as Signal Point, Signal Mountain offering views of the Tennessee River. The picturesque views of the rolling hills are year-round, but autumn is by far the loveliest time of year.

The Signal Mountain region doesn’t only glow with natural beauty, the area is also relatively safe to live in with low crime rates.

Nashville

If southern comfort food and an authentic taste of country music sounds like something you’d want part of, we’d recommend relocating to the “Capital City of Country Music”. The city has a healthy economy and growing job market that is attractive to young professionals. With a booming craft beer scene and some of the best offerings of the Southern cuisine and entertainment in the entire state, moving to Nashville, Tennessee is for most people a dream come true.

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The cost of living in Nashville is 3% lower than the national average. Housing prices are 9% lower than the US average and utility costs are 10% lower. Music City has a low median monthly rent cost but as the city’s local economy continues to grow, living costs experience a steady rise over time. Nashville’s suburbs such as Spring Hill similarly offer low cost or affordable housing and living costs.

A 2019 ACS survey reported a per capita income of $37,696 in Nashville which is $6,472 higher compared to the median per capita income in Tennessee. It is worth noting that the Volunteer State doesn’t levy any state income tax on its residents and also offers occasional sales tax holidays. This leaves more money in their pockets for rent, utilities and recreation.

Education in Nashville

The state capital of Tennessee is home to several highly acclaimed public schools and private learning institutions. The city boasts some of the best-ranked public schools both at state levels and nationally. This is largely thanks to a school system that has consistently gone above and beyond to provide a superior education. Franklin County School District tops the list for having the best schools in the State of Tennessee.

Mention-worthy schools in Nashville include Clovercroft Elementary School, Freedom Intermediate School, and Franklin High School. The city is also home to a number of notable institutions of higher learning such as Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Fisk University, and Lipscomb University.

Taylor Swift is an alumnus of Hendersonville High School located in Sumner County town. The county is a suburb of Nashville located on Old Hickory Lake.

Nashville’s Natural and Historic Landmarks

The state capital is home to the oldest surviving recording studio. The historic RCA Studio B is a treasure trove of country music history you can’t afford to miss out on. You can take a stroll around downtown Nashville to sample any of several print shops, boutiques, and fine dining establishments.

The Volunteer State also offers plenty of outdoor activities with plenty of walking trails, urban amenities, and historical sites. The city is located on the banks of the Cumberland River. With more than 25 miles of shoreline along Hickory Lake, residents have plenty of water activities they can indulge in from it swimming, fishing, skiing, boating or simply relaxing on the beach.

Be sure to visit Indian Lake, Hendersonville, where you will find tons to do, with a complex lined with shops and restaurants that offer plenty of fun activities. Nashville’s Centennial Park is home to Tennessee’s own full-scale replica of the Greek Pantheon, designed and built by architect William Crawford Smith in 1897.

Brentwood, Williamson County TN

Brentwood is an affluent suburb of Nashville and is unsurprisingly one of the best places to live in Tennessee and the United States as well. The city is home to the headquarters of prominent employers such as LBMC and EMI Christian Music Group.

In 2017, the town of Brentwood was ranked as “The #1 Best Place to Live in Tennessee,” and the “21st Best Place to Live in America.” With a current population of around 42,000 people, this suburb is continually growing.

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Cost of Living

Compared to other suburbs such as Spring Hill, the local housing market in Brentwood is a little pricier but not the most expensive in Tennessee. Living in Brentwood does come with both a reputation and a hefty price tag.

If you choose to relocate to Brentwood, there’s a fair chance you could become neighbors with a celebrity. Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, and Taylor Swift are known to live in Brentwood due to the short distance to Nashville. Brentwood has an estimated population of just over 42,000 people. The median household income is nearly $159,000 with a median home value of approximately $602,000.

Education in Brentwood

Renowned for its great school system and a well-stocked public library, education, like most amenities in Brentwood, is top-notch. Both public and private schools in the area have a long-standing reputation of excellence.

Brentwood High School was rated as the best comprehensive high school in the state of Tennessee while Brentwood Middle School is ranked as a top 3 middle school. The city has about 23 colleges, which include 20 private colleges and universities, 1 public university, and 2 community colleges that offer 2-year degrees.

Some include Franklin University, Lipscomb University, Williamson Christian College, The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, Fisk University, and Tennessee State University to mention a few.

Places to Visit

One of the richest small cities in America, Brentwood is clean, safe, and nurtures a sense of a close-knit community. The small city has numerous parks, hundreds of acres of open fields, hiking, and biking trails, lush green scenery, and rolling hills that offer unending adventure. The area’s convenient proximity to the big city allows easy access to the Nashville International Airport and a walkable downtown area.

Memphis

Although Memphis is the largest urban center in Tennessee, the city retains a small-town atmosphere that fosters a close-knit sense of community. This makes an attractive place for families to settle and live in Tennessee. The area is punctuated by historical districts, scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River, and memorials dedicated to cultural legends Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Elvis Presley, and more.

At every turn, Memphis permeates with the authentic culture of the Deep South.

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Cost of Living

The city has a rich music scene that attracts young blood looking to jumpstart their careers or switch things up. The median home cost is $123,800 while median rental fees for a small family home per month range between $700 and $1680. The low cost of living is a huge draw to many seeking to call the city home.

The crime rates in Memphis are comparable to what one would expect from big cities of its size; nothing too alarming, although it could be better.

Education in Memphis

The city of Memphis is home to a number of public and private learning institutions. The metropolitan area is presently served by the Shelby County Schools system that also includes the surrounding suburbs. There are a number of private high schools and some are affiliated with religious organizations.

Mention worthy institutions of higher learning include the University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Christian Brothers University, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Rhodes College.

Historical Places to Visit

Memphis is a sultry, soulful, and beautiful place on the banks of the Mississippi River along the border of Arkansas. Memphis has a rich history, from the antebellum cotton-trading days to its destruction and reconstruction, as well as the epidemics (yellow fever) of 1855, 1867, and 1873.

Johnson City

The city is located in Washington County, on the eastern part of Tennessee, a short distance from Kingsport Sullivan County. The area is surrounded by stunning 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is situated east of the Great Smokey Mountains. The city offers all the amenities of a big city but with a hometown feel making it one of the best cities in Tennessee.

Johnson city is home to Mountain Dew, as well as other prominent employers that offer job opportunities to residents.

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Cost of Living

The city is part of the Tri-Cities region, adjacent to Kingsport, and Bristol, which is located a few miles from the Virginia state line. The area is one of the best places to live in Tennessee in part thanks to its low cost of living and beautiful location near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Needless to say, the views are breathtaking and clearly visible your own porch or patio. Housing costs are quite affordable, ranging from $686 (for rent) and $153,800 (for purchase).

Home of The East Tennessee State University

The East Tennessee State University is based in the area and is home to approximately 14,500 students. The Johnson City School System is made up of 11 schools and more than 7,000 students. The schools here have consistently posted excellent grades in state and national averages for ACT, SAT, test scores.

There are numerous national parks and outdoor recreation opportunities that await you just minutes from the heart of the city. The Tweetsie Trail is a 10-mile hiking and biking trail that links the city to Elizabethton. There are more than five national parks and green spaces in the area and easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains for a quick getaway.

Murfreesboro, Rutherford County TN

Murfreesboro is an upcoming town that is an ideal place for families and young professionals to live in Tennessee. The town has a population of approximately 118,000 people that call Murfreesboro home. Its roots in Southern history also make it a popular tourist attraction thanks to several of its Civil War-era sites.

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As an added perk, the low cost of living is enticingly attractive, with rent averaging $876 a month while properties are priced at $181,900 for single-family homes.

Education in Murfreesboro

Local schools within the Murfreesboro city limits have been ranked 23rd best in the United States. Home to two award-winning school systems, the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee and a wide array of professional and technical education offerings. It’s the fifth largest district in the state, behind those in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Motlow State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University are among several institutions of higher learning located in the area.

Civil War History

The Civil War has remained one of the most significant events not only in the state of Tennessee but in United States history as well. The city is a proud host to countless monuments and historical sites that tell of America’s freedom struggle and remembrance of lives laid down for the same. Places to visit include;

  1. Stones River National Battlefield.
  2. Cannonsburgh Village showcases artifacts from the 1800s to the 1900s.
  3. Oaklands Historic House Museum
  4. Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History
  5. Rutherford County Courthouse
  6. Fortress Rosecrans

Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge was built by the federal government back in the 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project. The city has a population of 29,300.

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Oak Ridge, Anderson County and is among the best places to live in Tennessee, and for a good reason. Living in Oak Ridge is relatively cheap. In fact, the cost of living in Oak Ridge is 26.4% cheaper compared to Spring Hill, Tennessee. The median home value is $155,800 while rental costs will set you back $806 a month.

Education in Oak Ridge

The Oak Ridge School District was ranked first in the state of Tennessee in 2019, after being rated third best in 2018 and top district in 2017. The area is home to about 8 colleges that including four private colleges and universities, 1 public university, and 3 community colleges that offer 2-year degrees.

Places to Visit

Oak ridge is among the top places to visit in East Tennessee. You can explore the Manhattan Project National Historical Park established in 2015. The American Museum of Science and Energy offers some of the most interactive science and engineering exhibits that should keep you interested and engaged.

Best Places to Live in Texas

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Frisco

Texas is an exciting place to call home for plenty of reasons. The state is home to the second-largest and most diverse population in the United States after California. Frisco is one of the best places to live in Texas with some of the highest-rated schools in the state, affordable housing, and living costs, easy access to transport, recreation, and health amenities.

Frisco’s transition from a small, sleepy farming town to a bustling urban center in a few decades is, least to say impressive. what's the best place to live in texas

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Highest Median Household Income

The cost of living in this city is slightly higher than the state average. The median per capita income is $53,191 while the median household income sits at $127,055, the second-highest in Texas in 2021. Single-family homes makeup 78% of the city’s housing options and attract an average price of $335,900.

Monthly rental costs for an apartment will set you back $1,672 and is contingent on factors such as your choice of neighborhood, and the size of the apartment.

Education in Frisco

Frisco’s public schools’ system has been ranked twelfth best in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The city is home to ten high schools that rank among the top 25 best public high schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

There are 19 institutions of higher learning in the city. These include 4 public universities, and colleges, 13 private universities, and colleges, and 2 community colleges that offer 2-year degree programs.

Notable mentions include Franklin University, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Parker University, Miami International University of Art & Design, National American University-Richardson, National American University-Lewisville, Arizona College-Dallas, and more.

Places to Visit

Frisco boasts just over 1,370 acres; 49 parks, botanical gardens, and green spaces you can visit to clear your mind. For the foodie, there are dozens of fine dining options and upscale restaurants along Preston Road and at the Stonebriar Centre.

The city has over 165 shops offering a world-class shopping experience. Beyond Frisco’s malls and a vast variety of dining options, the city has a number of museums and historical attractions such as the National Videogame Museum, and the Museum of the American Railroad.

Frisco’s job market is rapidly growing which makes it an attractive destination for young families and professionals. The area has a low crime rate which ranks it highly in safety points. With its quality schools, affordable homes, higher median incomes, and plenty of entertainment options, Frisco earns its place among the best places to live in Texas.

Plano

Plano is the 9th largest city in Texas by population. The city is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and is located just north of Dallas. While Dallas boasts a larger demographic of young professionals, Plano is the go-to place for young families and those seeking to leave the city for a quieter suburban living experience. best place in plano texas to live

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Cost of Living

Plano’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average at 107.3%. This makes it an average US city to live in, in terms of housing costs, utility costs, and so on. The job market in this city is rapidly expanding, and more opportunities are within your reach just a short distance over in Dallas.

The median household income in Plano is $126,073. The median per capita income in this city averages at $47,840. The average cost of a home is $320,100 while monthly rental costs for a decent-sized apartment will set you back $1,418 on average.

Education in Plano

Plano’s Independent School District has been ranked among the top-tier school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and one of the best public school districts in the lone star state. There are approximately 44 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 10 high schools.

The schools serve a combined 53,700 students who reside in the city and nearby suburbs of Frisco, Murphy, Dallas, Parker, and Richardson.

The area is also home to a number of colleges and universities that include Franklin University, National American University-Richardson, Bakke Graduate University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Wade College, and Southern Methodist University just to mention a few.

Fun Things to Do

Plano has plenty of pristine botanical gardens and parks, acres of open green spaces, nature preserves, and more. There are miles of hiking and biking trails offering an immersive close-up experience with nature, a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life.

Downtown Plano offers residents and visitors plenty of entertainment, fine dining, and shopping options. The downtown area is home to Plano’s lively local restaurant scene that is known for its diversity in the cuisines and cultures represented.

The downtown area also has a lively performing art and nightlife scene. In terms of location, access to amenities, and its vicinity to Dallas, the city has a lot going for it which score it major points in livability, quality of life, safety, and affordability.

To reiterate, Plano is a huge draw for young families and couples looking to start or raise a family, people looking for their own little slice of happiness in north Texas. The city has in fact been named the happiest city in the U.S. It ranks highly on emotional, mental health, and physical well-being scores. Its high quality of life, and low crime rate easily makes Plano one of the best places to live in Texas.

Houston

There are plenty of reasons why moving to Houston would be a great idea. It is the largest city in Texas and the 4th biggest city in the U.S by population. With a population of just over 2,323,660 residents, the population is as diverse as it gets.

This in turn creates an exciting culturally diverse culinary scene that a foodie’s paradise. If your career leans towards the oil and gas, biomedical research, aerospace, health care industries then Houston has plenty of exciting opportunities for you.

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Cost of Living in Houston, TX

Houston offers a wide variety of housing options from a choice of gorgeous neighborhoods spread out across the city and its environs. Most of the neighborhoods are walkable and child-friendly with tons of green outdoor spaces.

The median price of a house in Houston is $332,500 while monthly rent costs around $1,205. The median per capita income is $35,190 while the median household income is $52,450. The cost of living is lower than the national average and slightly higher than the state average.

Education

Houston is home to more than 60 outstanding school districts, several state-approved charter schools, about 200 private schools, and prominent colleges and universities. The HISD (Houston Independent School District) is tasked with the management of education in the greater nine-county metropolitan region. The HISD is the seventh biggest public school nationally and the largest in the state of Texas.

The city is home to the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas A&M University, and more than 50 specialist trade, business, and vocational training schools.

Fun Things to Do

Houston’s museum district is a huge draw for residents and visitors alike. The area is a 9-mile district that showcases Houston’s culture and is home to the Houston Zoo and 19 museums. Besides being a popular tourist attraction, the district celebrates Houston’s diverse cultures and art. Needless to say, the Museum District is a significant player in Houston’s economy.

The city hosts numerous food festivals all year long featuring cuisines from different parts of the globe. From an African food fest this week to a barbecue festival next week, Houston is a food lovers paradise. The city is also home to several top-tier professional sports teams such as the Houston Texans and the Houston Rockets to mention a few.

Round Rock

Located a short distance from the state capital, Austin, the city of Round Rock is in many ways one of the best places to live in Texas. It offers its residents a blend of laid-back, charming small-town living with all the conveniences and amenities of a big city. Round Rock is a popular sports destination for amateur, community, and recreational sports earning it the title “Sports Capital of Texas”.

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Living Costs

Round Rock is among the more affordable places you can live in Texas. The area has a median household income of $101,648 and a median per capita income of $34,765. House prices level out at $482,190 while the monthly rent costs are $1,445.

Utility costs are only slightly higher than the state average. Round Rock is home to one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant economies in Texas and the U.S as well. Notable Fortune 500 companies with offices in this city include IKEA, Dell, and IBM.

Education

Education in this area is overseen by the Round Rock Independent School District. The school district has been ranked among the best-performing districts in the state. The RRISD serves a combined total of 48,900 students that attend 34 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 6 high schools in the area.

The area is home to about 16 institutions of higher learning that include Franklin University, the Gemini School of Visual Arts & Communication, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the National American University-Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School.

Places to Visit

There are plenty of fun ideas worth exploring in Round Rock. For the sports fanatic, there are a handful of professional sports facilities such as the Round Rock Sports Center, Rock Sports Arena, and more. The city is home to a number of professional sports teams that include the likes of Round Rock Express Baseball Club, Texas Stars, Round Rock SC, and others.

The city has numerous world-class shopping options and restaurants that serve up an array of culture-inspired dishes. For a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife, live music shows, and interesting historical attractions, head over to the downtown area.

If Southern Comfort food and southern hospitality, low crime rates, and reasonable living costs sound like something you’d be interested in, then Round Rock is just where you need to be.

San Antonio

San Antonio has perhaps the largest population of Hispanic speakers in Texas which means the food scene here is mind-blowing. The local cuisine heavily borrows from Latin-American/Mexican influences which makes Sant Antonio’s restaurant scene one of the liveliest. While the city’s job market pales in comparison to similar-sized metros, there has been observable growth in recent times.

Sant Antonio’s leading industries include defense, aerospace, bioscience research, healthcare, and Information Technology to mention a few. The city has a population of 2,368,207 which firmly asserts its status as a major U.S city.

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Living Costs

Living in San Antonio is reasonably cheap. This can easily be attributed to the city’s affordable house market. Living costs are considerably lower than the national average. The median household income is $74,100 while the median per capita income averages at $25,894. The median price for a home in San Antonio is $298,200 while monthly rent will set you back $1,151.

Education in San Antonio

The city is home to several leading school districts that include Alamo Heights Independent school district, Basis Charter Schools, Harmony Public Schools, and more. There are 20 high schools that rank among the top best performing schools in Texas. There are 14 universities and colleges and more than 27 more located within 100 miles of the city. of higher learning in the city.

Notable mentions include University of the Incarnate Word, Trinity University, Texas Lutheran University, St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, University of Texas Health Science Center, and more.

Fun Things to Do

San Antonio is home to the most famous piece of American history, the Alamo. The city has a rich history, lots of museums and cultural attractions. If you are curious to explore the city’s downtown area, be sure to bring along an appetite. San Antonio’s food scene, much like most major city centers in Texas, is legendary.

Sample the tantalizing flavors of the Tex-Mex diet that comes alive in this area. The city has walkable streets, biking and hiking trails, spectacular parks, botanical gardens, and green outdoor spaces.

San Antonio to many residents and visitors remains a choice destination to call home and one of the best places to live in Texas. From a vibrant atmosphere, a rich tradition rooted in American history, high-quality schools, and affordable housing options, San Antonio has it all.

Dallas

Home of the Dallas Cowboys and the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area; Dallas is another of the best places to live in Texas. The city is the economic center of Texas and boasts some of the biggest names in Tech, banking, defense, and more.

The city has the third-highest number of Fortune 500 companies per capita after Houston and New York in second and first place respectively. The city has established itself as a leading business hub with its corporate-friendly policies and laws. This has largely worked to the benefit of its residents who get access to the best job opportunities in the lone star state.

As one might imagine, for a city that hosts the biggest names in tech and finance, the job market is fiercely competitive. A Forbes report ranked the city as the number one most competitive job market; not only in Texas but in the U.S as well.

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Cost of Living

The average cost of living in this area is slightly higher than the national average. The city has perhaps the fastest-growing job market in the country. Rent costs for a one-bedroom house in Dallas average $1,126 per month.

This figure is relatively affordable in comparison to other cities such as Austin, Coppell, and many other metros of comparable size. The median per capita income for Dallas Texas in 2021 is $34,479 while the median family income is 86,200.

Education

Dallas is a major educational hub in the South Central United States area. The city is home to several universities, colleges, trade schools, and educational institutes that include Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas Baptist University, Paul Quinn College, The Art Institute of Dallas, and others.

The city has produced top-ranked schools in both public and private high schools categories in Texas. Additionally, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is home to the state’s best-ranked schools that offer quality education to residents.

Fun Things to Do

Dallas offers all the appeals of a big city, plenty of exciting job opportunities, a rich, diverse population and brings comparable diversity. The city offers a wide range of cuisine options, an exciting restaurant scene, and festivals that feature good food as the main attraction.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the Texas State Fair is proof of the adage. The Dallas cuisine in many ways compares to the Texan Tex-Mex food culture that is heavily influenced by Mexico. Other culinary influences include Southern, Creole/Cajun, African American, and British cuisines to mention a few.

The city’s colorful food scene comes to life on full display during the annual Texas State Fair hosted in Dallas. The state fair is the largest and most recognizable event in the U.S.

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From an exciting job market, a large culturally-diverse population to a colorful culinary scene, and professional sports teams, there are plenty of reasons that make this city the perfect place to call home and one of the best places to work and play in Texas. If your career path leans more towards the banking, finance, and tech industry, then Dallas is just the place for you.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the lone star state and an incredible place to call home. The city is home to a diverse population of 964,000 making it the second-most populated state capital and the 11th most populated city in the country.

It boasts a booming tech industry, affordable housing costs, and a vibrant diverse population that makes it one of the best places to live in Texas. The city hosts regional offices for a number of leading Fortune 500 companies such as Facebook (now Meta), 3M, Apple, and Google. Austin is also a major music hub earning the moniker “Live Music Capital of the World”.

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best neighborhoods in austin

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Living Costs

Austin’s living costs are higher compared to the state average but still lower than the U.S average. For its size, the city may be considered reasonable in comparison to big cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Housing costs are on average slightly higher than the national mark. The median household income in this city is $71,576 while the median per capita income sits at $43,043.

The average price of a house in this city is $588,400 while monthly rent costs for an apartment average at $1,619 which is significantly pricier compared to places such as Texas City, El Paso, Corpus Christi, and Rio Grande.

Education in Austin

Austin has on several occasions been recognized as an intellectual hub and the best place to get an education nationally and in the world as well. The city boasts 29 public school districts and is also home to more than 100 private learning institutions.

There are 8 top-ranked universities and colleges that include the University of Texas, St. Edward’s University, Southwestern University Texas State University, several specialty, and vocational training schools, and more.

Places to Visit

The city offers its residents and visitors an abundance of fun-filled activities, attraction sites, and more. Austin has a large and diverse population that makes it a melting pot of cultures and a vibrant entertainment center.

Besides the charged music and performing arts scene, the city boasts endless dining options and restaurants and coffee shops that showcase the area’s culinary traditions. Austin is centrally located in the state of Texas but Mexico’s influence on the local cuisine is undoubted.

If gorgeous nature parks and an intimate experience with nature sounds like more of your thing, well search no more. There are plenty of green outdoor spaces and botanical gardens in the area that include the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, the Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, and more.