Best U.S. Cities To Live In: New York City, Boston & More

New York City

When discussing the world’s most livable and desirable cities, it’s hard not to instantly think of The Big Apple.

New York City is its own special piece of history in many different ways. Chances are you’ve seen major landmarks such as Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building in many of your favorite movies and television shows.

“The City That Never Sleeps” is among the world’s most-visited cities every single year, and it’s a world leader in the global economy. New York offers a rich history in culture, music, theater, arts, foods/drinks and entertainment. There is always something to do when you visit The Big Apple.

If you include the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the New York Metropolitan area is home to nine of the “big four” (NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB) professional sports franchises, making NYC an especially desirable place to reside in if you’re a sports fan.

Mobile/online and in-person New York Sports Betting launched back in January, and The Empire State has emerged as a world leader in the industry. Residents of New York can play their favorite casino games in-person or through the convenience of mobile apps, and the state’s top sportsbooks are handing out special bonuses to new customers upon signing up.

This includes a $1,000 risk-free bet from FanDuel, four risk-free wagers of up to $200 per from PointsBet and up to $1,250 from Caesars along with 1,000 in both reward credits and tier credits.

New York City is also renowned for its super efficient subway and taxi systems. It’s convenient to get around the city without owning a vehicle, and that goes a long way in saving money and managing your budget.

Boston

Boston is among the country’s leaders when it comes to rankings in general health and education. Such is life when Massachusetts is home to several of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities.

The long list starts with Harvard (in Cambridge), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge) and Boston College (Chestnut Hill).

Beantown is one of America’s oldest and most historic cities. There is nothing like taking a walk along the city’s many gorgeous waterfront areas.

In 2020, the American College of Sports Medicine ranked Boston as the nation’s 10th fittest city (Arlington, Virginia was No. 1). It’s also one of America’s most storied sports cities, home to historic franchises in the Boston Red Sox (MLB), Boston Celtics (NBA) and Boston Bruins (NHL).

Boston is the ideal place to live in if you’re into history, sports, education, avid fitness/exercising and so much more.

Seattle

Other major west coast cities like Los Angeles and San Diego in California carry significantly higher populations, and the costs of living there are among the highest in America. But if you prefer to live in a giant city on the west coast that’s slightly more affordable and less busy, Seattle may be the place for you.

The Emerald City is the place to be if you’re into beautiful nature and outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, jogging or even sports leagues. The aforementioned 2020 rankings from the American College of Sports Medicine listed Seattle as the second-most fit city in the nation.

Seattle also has a rich history in the music industry. The legendary Jimi Hendrix was born in The Emerald City and spent much of his life here. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was born in Aberdeen, Washington and also significantly contributed to the music industry in Emerald City.

And if you’re into the sports world, Seattle has the MLB’s Mariners, NFL’s Seahawks and NHL’s Kraken. The Kraken are the newest NHL team, having joined as an expansion franchise in the 2021-22 season.

Minneapolis

If you can handle the freezing cold winters in Minneapolis, you’ll want to consider living in The City of Lakes.

Minneapolis is one of the country’s hot spots for the winter sports industry; they don’t call it “The State of Hockey” for nothing. Be it ice hockey, fishing, snowboarding, skiing or even hikes through the snowy-filled trails, there’s always something outdoorsy to do in Minneapolis.

The city consistently ranks among America’s healthiest. Compared to most big cities in the country, the Minneapolis area is very affordable.