What characteristics must a location have to be considered a “dream home?” Positive aspects of a community include its citizens’ general contentment, the availability of good jobs, excellent educational possibilities, and reasonable housing costs. 

News Best Places for Live rankings are based on various factors, such as cost of living, job prospects, crime rate, quality of education, and more, for the nation’s 150 most populated metro regions.

Charleston, South Carolina

The coastal city is well regarded for its citizens’ fitness, health, and its abundance of outdoor activities due to its temperate climate and closeness to the beach. There are also several fantastic restaurants in the region. Charleston’s “Low Country” cuisine is famous and draws chefs and foodies from all around.

Madison, WI

Located in the heart of the Midwest, this college town has a strong economy and is a great spot for young professionals, growing families, and retirees to settle down. Madison is a popular destination for bicyclists because of its location on an isthmus amid lakes Mendota & Monona and its abundance of parks and beaches. Dane County Farmers Market and the mid-century architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright contribute to Madison’s charm. 

The Small Firm Development Center at the Wisconsin University – Madison is a great resource for anybody wishing to launch or expand an existing business. In addition to the city’s public libraries, remote workers in Madison may use the city’s many co-working spaces, such as 100state and Serendipity Labs (where they have access to a fitness facility at no extra cost). On top of that, the typical yearly income in Madison is above $50,000, placing it in the top two cities in the state.

Scottsdale, Arizona

You can make more money in California, the District of Columbia, or New York City. Still, if you’d like to find a good balance between earning potential, average wage, and living costs, Scottsdale in the American Southwest is the place to be.

Niche reports that the typical household income in the city is $80,306 (£65,032), which is around $25,000 (£20,200) greater than the national average, and a comprehensive 2019 WalletHub poll revealed that it was the greatest location to get a job in the United States.

Moreover, over two-thirds of Scottsdale’s reviewers on Niche gave the city five stars, with good reason. This 125-year-old community has an average commuting time of only 20 minutes, Data USA reports, and roughly 300 sunny days per year (almost 100 more than the typical U.S. locale).

Joining Scottsdale’s population of 250,000 means, you’ll never be bored. Although Scottsdale’s stunning buildings and century-old olive trees provide a terrific first impression, the city has much more to offer.

This nature reserve has more than 180 kilometers of paths, covering more than 30,000 acres of the stunning desert environment.

St. Paul, Minnesota

Do not let the weather discourage you. Outside of subzero conditions, there is much to enjoy in St. Paul. Many young professionals move to the city because of its affordable housing and high job rate. St. Paul now enjoys a thriving cultural scene thanks to its large and varied population. The Minnesota State Capitol is only one example of the city’s beautiful architecture.

Portland, Oregon

The more pertinent question is, “Where can you get these at a reasonable price?” Each of the three major West Coast cities—New York, Los Angeles, & San Francisco—has an abundance of fantastic eateries and grocery stores. Still, only the wealthy can appreciate them.

The weather in Portland is unique. In addition to being filled with top-notch dining options, your wallet will not take a hit here. Number reports that Portland’s restaurant prices are 29%-38% lower than those in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta has a good diversity score. Jobs in the I.T., food, and entertainment sectors are plentiful in the region. The southern equivalent of Hollywood, the capitol, is often referred to by that moniker. 

Park City, Utah

While it’s true that anybody may find themselves buried in snow in New York or blown to shreds by freezing winds in Chicago, you can gain a leg up on the competition by spending the winters in a top-tier U.S. snow sports location. Park City deserves the honor of serving as a major Olympic location, as it did in 2002. Snowboarding and skiing at some of the world’s top slopes are possible, but if you do not feel like working up a sweat, you may choose from several other activities.

It is possible to go snowmobile or dog sledding through the icy plains, pulled by a pack of gorgeous huskies. On your travels, you may see moose, elk, and deer. And suppose you’re looking to spice up your vacation with some culture in addition to the outdoors and sports. In that case, the Sundance Film Festival, which displays the finest in independent film from across the globe, is held in Park City every year in late January.

Knowing where you would like to live is the initial and crucial step and will equip you for all the other exciting choices you will be making as you prepare for your move to the United States. Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.