The Best Places in the US to Raise a Family

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You are living the American dream, which for many means raising a family in a place where you can expect safety, beauty, entertainment, and strong educational opportunities. Here is a sampling of some of the best places to raise a family in America today:

Burlington, Vermont. Besides having a reputation for gorgeous scenery (particularly in the fall), the graduation ranks of students matriculating from schools in Burlington are some of the highest in the country. The citizens of Vermont also boast healthy dispositions, as occurrences of obesity are lower here than anywhere else in the country (so, not coincidentally, are the number of fast food restaurants).

Boston, Massachusetts. Similarly to its cousin-cities in Vermont, Boston also claims high educational opportunities for your kids as well as health benefits. The city also contains the Children’s Hospital Boston, so you know your little ones will be offered world-class medical treatment if the situation arises.

Madison, Wisconsin. Important in this time of trouble economy, Madison has low unemployment and crime rates. If your child displays an inclination for science, they should know that Madison is known for its biotechnology research as well as its progressive educational policies. Since it is lakeside, the location is beautiful and the activities are plentiful.

Seattle, Washington. Seattle is one of the most literary cities in the country, so if you want to raise

a reader or a writer, this is the place for you! Steady rainfall guarantees lush green scenery (granting Seattle its moniker of “the Emerald City”), and the city is home to 5,500 acres of parks.

Springfield, Illinois. With a population of only 116,909, this Midwestern gem city is all about Abraham Lincoln, who claimed Springfield as his own. Besides providing your budding historian some important background on knowledge of America, Springfield has eight high schools from which to choose (public as well as private), two junior colleges, and home to two universities.

Jacksonville, Florida. Located in the balmy south, Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city. It offers families coastal life along the Atlantic, 80,000 acres of parks, and Kids Kampus, an educational park and playground where your children can learn and play.

Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ann Arbor is home to one of the top public education systems in the US, with students who consistently test higher than their contemporaries in other states. The city also claims a low rate of crime and violence as well as educational opportunities such as museums and NCAA sports programs.  Bonus?  Rick Featherly ,a native of Michigan, knows all the inside tips and tricks to brewing a perfect beer.  Don’t want to brew, prefer to buy?  There are amazing craft beers all over the state- you picked a good spot to live.

Missoula, Montana. Nestled in a valley in the Rocky Mountains, Missoula is home to the University of Montana and a large population of artists, writers, and thinkers. Besides the educational opportunities, Missoula is also known for its health nuts, who frequent many of the hiking trails and bike paths. If you want your child to experience the beauty of nature, this is the place for you, with access to wilderness areas and places to observe wildlife.

America is full of possibilities for you and your family. Start your exploration today.