Are you ready to explore the Top Ten best places to live in the US?
From unforgettable coastal cities to bustling urban centers, there's something for everyone.
Whether you're a nature enthusiast who loves outdoor activities or a culture connoisseur who enjoys concerts, festivals and more, there's a city with your name on it if you’re looking to find your next home-sweet-home.
From the sunny shores of San Diego to the bustling streets of quirky and trendy Austin, here's our list of the top 10 best places to live in the US:
#10 - Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is a city full of life and excitement.
From the iconic skyline featuring the Willis Tower (a.k.a. the former Sears Tower) to the delicious deep-dish pizza, and the beloved Chicago Bears, Cubs and Bulls sports teams, it's the perfect place for sports enthusiasts.
Plus, with four distinct seasons and the world-famous Millennium, Lincoln and Grant Parks, living in Chicago means you'll enjoy a wide variety of natural beauty all year round.
Don't forget about the 3,300-foot-long Navy Pier with its live music and daily cruises that help make Chicago one of our top 10 best places to live in the USA.
Chicago is also home to some of the highest rated universities in the country like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and DePaul University.
And the city boasts iconic museums that include the Field Museum of Natural History with its famous T. Rex specimen named Sue.
For culture connoisseurs, there's the Art Institute of Chicago with its iconic painting 'American Gothic' by Grant Wood.
So get ready to have fun and explore all that Chicago has to offer.
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#9 - San Diego, California
Living in San Diego is for adventure-seekers and sun worshippers alike.
With 70 miles of coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, San Diego offers an array of activities for all ages making it one of our top ten best places to live in the US.
Take a stroll through Balboa Park – a 1,200-acre slice of paradise with museums, performing arts venues, gardens, trails and more.
Visit the San Diego Zoo and explore downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter for delicious food and drinks.
And let's not forget the outdoor adventures – kayaking Mission Bay or La Jolla Cove, hiking the trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and climbing El Cajon Mountain and Mission Trails Regional Park.
To top it off, take a trip to Coronado Island and watch the sunset at the historic Hotel del Coronado on the Pacific beach and enjoy San Diego’s breathtaking skyline.
If you're looking for an adventure filled city with plenty of sunshine, then you need to move to San Diego.
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#8 - Washington, DC
Washington is the perfect city if you’re searching for a place that’s historical, educational and brimming with culture.
Exploring the Smithsonian’s museums for free on the weekends, and taking a run or walk on the National Mall, are just a few of the reasons why Washington made our list of the top 10 best places to live in the USA.
In addition to that, you can enjoy the diverse lifestyle that Washington offers – you can be in the city, suburbs or the countryside all within an hour's drive.
From wine tasting at Virginia’s Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg's horse country to picnicking in breathtaking Great Falls to dining at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, you’ll never be bored if you decide to make Washington your new home.
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#7 - Boston, Massachusetts
Make your move to 'Beantown' and explore the rich history, thriving culture and endless educational opportunities that Boston has to offer.
From Freedom Trail to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, you'll never run out of things to do in this iconic city.
Take a stroll through downtown's Boston Common, the oldest public park in the nation, or grab a bite to eat in the city's renowned Seaport District.
Plus, spend time attending lectures and events at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's stunning Stata Center, designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, or get season tickets for performances at Harvard University's American Repertory Theater.
With its storied past and vibrant present, Boston is one of the 10 best places to live in the US.
Make your move here and join in all the historical and cultural fun.
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#6 - Portland, Oregon
Are you looking for a place to call home with progressive values and plenty of outdoor activities? Look no further than Portland.
This down to earth city has a mild climate and endless natural beauty. Portland also has a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
That includes kayaking through downtown on the Willamette River, and visits to the Oregon Zoo, Portland Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum — with its 2,300 species of plants from all over the world — at Washington Park.
Known as the ‘City of Roses,’ don’t forget the annual Portland Rose Festival and its Grand Floral Parade with all-floral floats. It’s the perfect place to get involved, make a difference and have some fun.
These are just some of the reasons why Portland is one of our top 10 best places to live in the USA.
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#5 - Atlanta, Georgia
There’s no question that moving to Atlanta would be an exciting adventure.
Atlanta has a rich history that includes legendary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once calling the city home. The locals also make you feel welcome with their southern hospitality.
And sports lovers will be thrilled to discover the Atlanta Falcons, Braves and Hawks sports teams that have some of the most passionate fans in the nation.
Plus, for family fun you won’t want to miss the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park, and the Fox Theatre.
With Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the busiest airport in the world, you can also easily jet off for a weekend to one of our other top ten best places to live in the US.
Pack your bags, call the moving van, and get ready to enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer.
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#4 - Denver, Colorado
Move to Denver, the 'Mile High City,' and experience some of the best outdoor activities in the world.
Hike the Rim Rock Loop or ski and rock climb at North Table Mountain Park. And if you're really a skiing aficionado, Loveland Ski Area is just a short drive away.
With some of the most renowned craft breweries in the nation, like Great Divide Brewing Company, Coors Brewery, New Belgium Brewing and Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Denver is also the perfect place for beer lovers to call home.
Plus, you won't want to miss the amazing concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater, nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
Living in Denver means you'll experience a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, easily making it one of our top 10 best places to live in the US.
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#3 - Austin, Texas
Austin is known for its vibrant music culture, being a foodie paradise and, let’s face it, lovable quirkiness!
The city has tons of public transportation and the highly walkable Zilker Park with its more than 50 miles of protected bike lanes.
Austin’s also considered one of our top 10 best places to live in the US for its tech hub status with top employers like Dell Technologies, Apple and IBM, making it a great place for families and young professionals alike.
And, interestingly, Austin’s a bat watching mecca (yes, bat) with its nightly flight of an estimated 1.5 million bats from under the Congress Bridge between March and November.
Living in Austin is a unique and solid choice, especially if you’re into tech and the outdoors.
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#2 - San Francisco, California
San Francisco is #2 on our top 10 best places to live in the US with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and breathtaking skyline.
It’s home to world-famous fog that the locals call Karl. The fog even has an entertaining social media presence on Twitter @KarlTheFog with more than 350K followers.
The city also boasts a who’s who of top employers from Google to Airbnb to Uber. And the Bay Area is home to numerous acclaimed universities like Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Plus, living in San Francisco means you'll be able to explore the spectacular San Francisco waterfront with its Fisherman’s Wharf, year-round sea lion watching, Alcatraz and more.
The city boasts the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. And its Golden Gate Park has more than a 1,000 acres of gardens, stunning redwoods and sparkling lakes.
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#1 - Seattle, Washington
From the Space Needle to Pike’s Place Market, Seattle tops our list of the best places to live in the US for a variety of reasons.
Many think it’s the rainiest city in the nation. But Seattle has a mild climate with tons of sunshine, especially in the summer and late spring.
This bustling city is highly walkable too with plenty of parks, bike paths and trails.
Plus, Seattle has an abundance of culture and entertainment. You can explore the Seattle Art Museum, take a cruise on Elliott Bay, go wine tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle.
You can also visit the Seattle Aquarium with its impressive Window on Washington 120,000-gallon seawater tank.
Seattle took the #1 spot on our list for a wide variety of reasons. From its diverse economy to its vibrant quality of life and cultural attractions – this dynamic city literally does have something for everyone.
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