Hey guys!. In this post, I’ll be discussing a list of Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family. The challenge now is how to find the best places that perfectly fit your family's needs. To narrow down your options, we have listed the top ten best places to raise a family in the US based on the quality of education, cultural and recreational activities, and of course, costs. Here are America's Top Ten Best Places to Raise a Family. So let’s get started.
10. Raleigh, North Carolina
With its location at the heart of the Research Triangle and its proximity to universities, and the city's diverse range of well-paying jobs in the medical, information technology, and textile industries, Raleigh has been attracting families. The place has a plethora of family-friendly activities. The Marbles Kids Museum is one of several museums in the downtown area that your children will enjoy. And if you like a place with a suburban vibe, you may go to the place where people have been flocking to, the North Hills. The area is recognized for its proximity to outstanding schools. It's one of the city's fastest-growing cities, but it's also one of the most expensive. If you want to purchase a four-bedroom house in Raleigh, it will cost you at least a little under $400,000. But if you want to move to a bigger space without shedding a huge amount of money, you can go to Apex, North Carolina, or any suburbs. Though it is a suburb, it is just a 20-minute ride from downtown, and the area has quaint restaurants too, and houses are just around $300,000 or less.
9. Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington boasts its philharmonic orchestra, which plays live concerts throughout the summer, as well as a child-friendly art museum. Your family will not get bored as they have a couple of activities that they can enjoy all year round. Plus, Huntington has a Pullman Square that offers activities almost every weekend. Beautiful brick two-story homes in Huntington are priced at $30,000 in the coveted Southeast Hills neighborhood. Alternatively, you can as well have a four-bedroom for just $145,000 - roughly.
8. Madison, Wisconsin
There's a great deal more to this Wisconsin city than bratwursts, cheese curds, and fantastic beer, but there's enough of all three. Hiking, kayaking, and making sandcastles on the shore are one of the many recreational activities available in this prestigious university town. You can enjoy biking along urban greenways too! So, don't be surprised if you see families strolling or gathering around on weekends. With the number of events Wisconsin offers, it is normal to see families gather around the Wisconsin state Capitol to relax and enjoy their free time! And if you want to have a quick snack or eat out, you can easily spot restaurants and bars near the Capitol area, which is within a 20-minute drive or 30-minute bike ride from the Midvale Heights area.
7. McAllen, Texas
McAllen, an hour's drive from South Padre Island's gorgeous beaches and just 5 miles from the Mexican border, is a foodie's paradise, with a wide variety of casual seafood eateries and all sorts of Mexican restaurants. Kids may dance to live music while their parents eat at family-friendly establishments like Costa Messa. McAllen has a plethora of family-friendly restaurants, and the city offers various activities to keep its residents having a balanced life. The city provides a diverse range of activities and amenities for these people, including a large amusement park, the International Museum of Art & Science, and the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. But what makes North McAllen famous among parents of young children is its top-rated elementary school (Gonzalez Elementary School). If you choose Mc Allen for your family, you can purchase contemporary townhouses with an estimated price of $175,000 only or older single-family homes for a little over $150,000.
6. Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is perhaps known best as the hometown of Berkshire Hathaway and its wealthy owner, Warren Buffett, who still resides in the same home he acquired for around $32,000 in 1958. Today, this area is home to nearly 1,000 additional firms, including ten Fortune 500 companies. Omaha is popular because of its job opportunities and offers a seemingly limitless number of activities to keep the kids occupied. The world's biggest indoor desert and geodesic dome, as well as Nation's Largest indoor rainforest, can be found at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. And if you want to check some schools, you can take approximately 25 minutes to drive from downtown Omaha to Hillsborough. The latter is known for its school districts and huge houses with native trees and spacious yards. These are actually among the best reasons how Omaha attracted young families. You can buy a renovated three-bedroom house for around $275,000.
5. Hartford, Connecticut
Is it true that the self-declared "Insurance Capital of the World" is a suitable place to build a family? Yes, absolutely. Aside from the abundant job opportunities, Fortune 500 companies, and even ESPN's headquarters here. There are gorgeous parks and fantastic museums too. It's no surprise that the number of young families is rapidly increasing. If you stroll a little bit in the area, you may find expansive four-bedroom Victorian houses near the University of Hartford on Asylum Hill, adjacent to highly regarded magnet schools like the University High School of Science and Engineering and Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School. And suppose you want to check some places to unwind, the city has several global attractions that you can go to, such as the 102-acre Elizabeth Park, which has the nation's oldest municipal rose garden, and the Mark Twain House, which is now a site dedicated to the author of "Huckleberry Finn." Your family may enjoy some space in three-bedroom traditional-style houses that may be priced equally or just right above the metro's average house price of approximately $240,000.
4. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville and the cities in the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area have been rapidly expanding. In the last nine years, the population of the area has increased by approximately 18%. And as the city evolves, Fayetteville becomes a mountain biking hotspot, with 100 miles of trails spanning from Fayetteville to Bella Vista. And a half-hour trip north to Bentonville can get your child into those state's leading educational institutions. Apart from that, the city is frequently ranked as one of the finest locations to raise children in the state, with world-class museums such as the modern Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the amazing children and science museum - Scott Family Amazeum. You can purchase lovely houses here under $300,000, which are more likely just within a mile from shops and restaurants. But if you want to be in the most coveted neighborhood in Fayetteville proper, you may check Wilson Park, near the University of Arkansas. Although the area is a little more expensive than in other sections of town, there are still some cost-effective options, like a three-bedroom house for around $355,000.
3. Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, which is just a short drive away from Cincinnati, is a university town that is an affordable place with flourishing art culture, including an outpost of the ultra-hip 21C Art Museum Hotel and historic sites. Lexington also includes a 100-acre nature-preserved garden, several horse farms, and numerous family-friendly restaurants and shops. It also houses several Fortune 500 firms. Around downtown Lexington, parents may choose from various inexpensive choices, including Danby Corners, which has A-rated primary schools, and the Hamburg region, which has the biggest retail and dining district in Central Kentucky. Then there are areas like Beaumont, which are densely packed with commercial buildings, hotels, banks, doctors' clinics, and other businesses, allowing people to work, play, exercise, and socialize without ever leaving the area. Your family will surely enjoy a spacious three-bedroom home in these neighborhoods that can be bought for around $230,000.
2. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati headquarters 30 Fortune 500 firms, four major sports teams. The city has a multicultural demographic too. Now, let us check what Cincinnati has. The East Walnut Hills area, which is just a five-minute drive from Eden Park and the Cincinnati Art Museum, is home to million-dollar mansions and accessible pubs, cafés, and stores. It has a wonderful blend of metropolitan and suburb vibe, attracting young professionals and families that value work, life, and education. Prospective homeowners are flocking to the area because of the family-friendly amenities and low property costs. And if Cincinnati is a little bit above your budget, the posh ZIP code has alternatives below the typical house price. They have a two-bedroom brick home for just around $238,000 or a $225,000 spacious two-bedroom apartment. But if you are a part of the select few who want to have a huge space for the family, you must travel a little further out. Many people have been flocking to Wyoming, a historic community 20 minutes north of the city. Wyoming has one of the top 30 high schools in the country, parks, restaurants, a pool club, a golf course, and tennis courts.
1. Des Moines, Iowa
On the other hand, families have already flocked to the state capital, which is home to over 60 business offices. It's because Des Moines and its suburbs have a plethora of parks, interconnecting bike paths, top-notch cafes, and a variety of excellent schools, all centered around the downtown area. A three-bedroom ranch in Des Moines is priced just a little bit under $200,000. A very cost-effective option for you and your family!
Which of the best places that we mentioned is your best? Or do you have any place that you want us to add to the list?
That is it from today’s post on Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family. If you do not agree with the points in the post and have some of your own opinions, share them with us in the comments section down below.
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Chandan is the writer of “Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family”. Also, Connect with me on Facebook.