Some cities are great for the young and single, while others are ideal for retirees. If you’re looking for a city that’s perfect for raising a family, you probably have some criteria already in mind. For most people, a list of ideal attributes would include great schools, low crime, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment and educational opportunities. We’ve looked at these metrics and more to compile a list of the five best places to live in US for starting a family.
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs, with a population of about 446,000, came in at number five on the 2016 US News and World Report’s list of the “Best Places to Live in the USA.” Many of the attributes that make it a great place to live also make it ideal for raising a family. It’s an affordable city, with a cost of living index nearly equal with the national average, while the median home price is about 15 percent higher than average. Average test scores among high school students are about six percent above the state mean, and there are more than a dozen private schools to choose from in addition to the city’s many public and charter schools.
Outdoorsy families will find no shortage of things to do in Colorado Springs. The very adventurous can hike Pike’s Peak via Barr Trail. If a strenuous climb isn’t your idea of family fun, there’s a cog railway that will take you right to the top. You can also tour the famed Garden of the Gods with its unusual rock formations and a nature center. Other points of interest include the Olympic Training Center, the Air Force Academy, an arts center, and a variety of museums and historic sites.
Worcester, MA
Located in the Greater Boston area, Worcester has a lot to offer. The EcoTarium is an environmental museum with exhibits and hands-on activities aimed at kids. There are several parks in Worcester perfect for family fun, including Quinsigamond State Park and Lake, Elm Park, and the 480-acre Green Hill Park, which includes an educational farm. Arts and culture abound at the Worcester Art Museum, the Hanover Theatre, and Mechanics Hall. The DCU Center hosts year-round events including concerts, sporting events, and family programs. If that’s not enough entertainment, it’s less than an hour’s drive to Boston.
In addition to 44 public schools, Worcester has magnet, alternative, and special education centers, as well as more than 20 private schools. The cost of living is about 20 percent higher than average, with a median home price of about $226,000.
Plano, TX
Plano is one of the more affordable metropolitan areas of Texas at just 12 percent above the average cost of living. The median home price is about $217,000. The crime rate in Plano is almost 30 percent below the US mean. The city also offers exceptional educational opportunities; the high school graduation rate is about 92 percent, and high school test scores are almost 40 percent higher than the national average. Unemployment and poverty rates are significantly lower than both state and national averages, and the median household income of $83,000 is significantly higher than the national median of $53,000.
There’s plenty for families to do in Plano. The Heritage Farmstead Museum gives visitors a taste of prairie life circa 1891, with programs, summer camps, and peak-season events. Little train fans will enjoy the Interurban Railway Museum, formerly the Texas Electric Railway. Other family attractions include the ArtCentre of Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, and Zero Gravity Thrill Ride Adventure Park. Sports fans will find no shortage of entertainment, with Dallas just a 25-minute drive to the south.
Virginia Beach, VA
The ocean is the ideal family playground, and not just for summer vacation. Year-round, Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads metro area have endless activities and events perfect for kids. The Virginia Aquarium has 800,000 gallons of exhibits featuring local wildlife, like harbor seals, as well as exotic marine creatures. There’s also a nature trail and an adventure park with zip lines. You can spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat by taking a wildlife boat tour. There are plenty of museums in the area, particularly those that focus on military and aviation history. Several amusement parks lie within a short drive of Virginia Beach, including Ocean Breeze Waterpark and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Even with all these great amenities, the cost of living in Virginia Beach is reasonable at just 13 percent higher than the national average. The median list price for a home is about $273,000. The crime rate is 22 percent below the national figure, making Virginia Beach safer than more than half of all US cities. Schools are top-notch as well, with a 90 percent high school graduation rate and test scores more than 20 percent above the national average. The unemployment rate is two points below the US figure, and the poverty level is about half the national rate.
Raleigh, NC
Schools in North Carolina’s capital city are excellent, with two charter schools, three public elementary schools, and two academies receiving Great School’s top ranking of 10 out of 10. Average test scores exceed national numbers by about 10 percent, and there are more than 30 private schools to choose from. The cost of living in Raleigh is nearly equal to the national average, and the median home price is just over $200,000.
Marbles Kids Museum offers creative and educational opportunities, with several interactive exhibits designed specifically for kids ages 10 and younger. They also have an IMAX theater. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences features an incredible range of exhibits, galleries, labs, and live animals on four floors. Best of all, admission is free. For outdoor fun, there’s Pullen Park, 66 acres with a carousel, paddle boats, and a train ride. The Raleigh Convention Center and PNC Arena play host to numerous concerts, sporting events, and other activities year-round.
2 Point Highlight
Colorado Springs, with a population of about 446,000, came in at number five on the 2016 US News and World Report’s list of the “Best Places to Live in the USA.”
Year-round, Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads metro area have endless activities and events perfect for kids.
