Two Southwest Florida Towns Named One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.
As a long time Southwest Florida resident, I might be a bit biased when it comes to thinking that this is a great state to live in. I moved to Naples from Ohio 20 years ago. That said, Florida towns have been topping several lists of the best places to live in America, so I think that confirms my point.
Now, the staff at U.S. News has put out a brand new list of the top 150 best cities to live in the U.S. They “analyzed the 150 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life,” according to the study.
As for the publication’s methodology and purpose for the report, U.S. News states, “U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings are intended to help readers make the most informed decision when choosing where to settle down.” They added that cities are rated utilizing data from sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News’ own internal resources. That information was categorized into the five indexes: Job Market Index, Value Index, Quality of Life Index, Desirability Index and Net Migration. With that data, they chose Huntsville, Alabama as the top choice.
So, which Florida cities are on top? Well two Southwest Florida towns landed inside the top 12: Sarasota and Naples. Sarasota is No. 9 on the list, with the outlet stating, “Sarasota has a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere and burgeoning food culture.” Naples is No. 12 on the list, with the publication stating, “Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples and Marco Island area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping. ” Find the full report here which includes Tampa at number 39 and Fort Myers coming in at 100.
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