If you’re planning on relocating sometime soon, you’re probably wondering what the best cities in America to raise a family are. Heading off to one of the world’s most famous metropolises will not guarantee that it will be kid-friendly enough. As a matter of fact, these places rarely offer a supportive and safe environment, which is why parents usually choose to leave them for smaller but more convenient spots.
We’re sure you already know what the key features required to keep both your kids and yourself happy are, but whether it is possible to find those within the borders of the U.S. is the right question. And we already know the answer, but that’s why we’re here, to give you a detailed map of the places worth considering.
What Is the Best State in the U.S. to Raise a Family?
Whatever your reasons to move are, when you’re relocating with kids, one of the most important tasks is to research the places where you could make yourself at home. Because you certainly won’t be making a wise decision if you rush to pack your bags and go to the first state you find beautiful. Believe us. You need more than beauty for a stress-free relocation.
And that’s what you’ll find in Massachusetts, according to the latest data. You’ll find child-friendly fun, safety, impeccable healthcare and child care systems, top-quality education. But there’s even more to it – it’s an affordable state, as well. So, if you’re trying to figure out how to move out of state on a budget, picking a town that suits your budget would certainly be helpful.
What Are the Best Cities to Raise a Family?
Even if you were relocating to a new city alone, you’d like to find a strong community that can offer you the kind of life you’re pursuing. And now that you’re relocating with a newborn or maybe with children old enough to move to college, it’s even more important to take our tips for relocating out of state and choose the family-oriented ones. To make it easier for you, here’s a list of top-notch towns to live in with the ones you love:
- Irvine, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Austin, TX
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Raleigh, NC
For more information on other areas worth considering, check out the video below.
#1 Irvine, California
You certainly won’t make a mistake deciding to replant your roots in Irvine, CA, also known as one of the happiest towns in the USA. Located in Orange County, with a population over 273,000, this top California community is ranked as one of the most suitable for young, growing families. Let’s see why.
When it comes to education, Irvine is home not just to an innovative University of California-Irvine but also to many other highly respected public schools. If you thought there wouldn’t be a problem for your kids starting school – well, you’re wrong. But only in terms of too many good choices.
Given that this is undoubtedly one of the top beach towns to live in, especially for families, the city events calendar is filled with kid-friendly activities all year round; from learning about the stars and space at the UCI Observatory to boosting the holiday spirit in the Irvine Park Railroad’s Annual Christmas Train Event.
Relocating here means having an opportunity to access plenty of green spaces and parks and connect with natural beauty and wildlife. Because Orange County is famous for its warm weather and sunny days, it does make Irvine perfect.
However, we’re all well aware that high quality of life comes at a price. For the average rent for an apartment, you have to be ready to set aside over $2,000, whereas the median listing price is $926,000. Still, keep in mind that you’re going to an affluent city with a strong job market and a median household income of $95,000.
If you’re not sure whether you can afford to live in this community, check out the video below.
One of the Safest Towns to Live in the Entire World
One of many advantages worth emphasizing is that every year since 2005, Irvine has been declared America’s safest city. According to the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report, it has the lowest crime rate and quite a strong relationship between the police force and the community, on the other hand. So, kudos to Irvine!
#2 Fort Myers, Florida
If you’re already exhausted from spending big bucks on your housing and other living expenses – hang in there. We have some good news for you. You don’t have to consider relocating to the suburbs in the middle of nowhere to save some cash because relocating to one of the top coastal towns with your kids and not losing a fortune is absolutely possible. You can get both a high living standard and affordable prices at the same time – in Fort Myers.
The lack of state income tax in Florida is certainly not the only advantage that makes Fort Myers one of the best cities to raise a family in America. You’d be glad to hear that a big part of it relates to housing costs, which are 15% lower than the national average. On the other hand, you won’t spend much time budgeting to get around because public transportation options are pretty limited. On the other hand, now is the perfect time to think about the car shipping service, since the town was designed with personal vehicles in mind.
And if you’re searching for educational opportunities, look no further, because here you’ll find plenty of them. Lee Campus of Florida SouthWestern State College offers 45 undergraduate programs. At the same time, Florida Gulf Coast University, one of the most respected Florida universities, serves as the community’s educational and cultural hub.
Even though you’re surrounded by over 600 miles of shorelines, Fort Myers will spoil all families with other outdoor spots and recreational amenities, no matter how young or old they are. Fishing? Check. Hiking? Check. Amusement parks? Check. Not to mention bird-watching, camping, and tons of other fun activities you can try out with your kids.
#3 Austin, Texas
It’s no secret at all why this ever-growing area keeps attracting people from all over the state. With its growing job market, good education, affordable housing, and diverse lifestyles, calling Austin home quickly becomes a habit. No matter the time of the move, whether you choose to move in winter or at the peak of the summer season, it will make you feel welcome.
Renting here is far more affordable than the median Austin home price, but keep in mind that pricey houses are easily balanced with the pretty high average wage. Also, with a population density of 3,400 people per square mile, you can only imagine how spread out the city is. Although there are various public transportation options to get around, most people commute by car, so it’s good to know that the gas price is lower than in most other places in Texas.
It’s pretty simple to describe Texas’ capital – it’s green. It’s the greenest spot in Texas since 15% of its total land area is occupied by parks and green spaces. But this is not the only reason why this town will help you be more content. Besides being a youth-driven town, with a number of annual cultural events and festivals, Austin is also famous for being an educational city. The University of Texas at Austin, one of the top 10 public colleges in the U.S., is nestled here. It offers 400 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, plus many more courses and study abroad programs.
#4 Colorado Springs, Colorado
If you’re in pursuit of a unique place unlike any other, then you might never want to leave Colorado Springs. Also, if choosing to move from a small town to a big city, make no mistake – select one of the largest communities in the state. With a population of 420,000 and the proximity to the mountains and other outdoor amenities, you’ll never be bored with kids on the weekends.
If you want to find top-rated schools for your children, residing in the Springs makes it an easy task because there are many public school districts, including Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, the most prestigious in the entire state. The same goes for its higher education institutions, regarded as the most reputable in the country.
All of this is easily affordable for a little over $2,000 a month, which is the total cost of living in Colorado, rent included.
#5 Raleigh, North Carolina
This vibrant area is known as one of the best small cities in America to raise a family. Although the living costs have gone up a bit due to the constant increase of the population over the last few years, Raleigh is still cheaper than most other U.S. towns.
Relocation to a smaller town like this one does not only mean that you’ll meet your new neighbors much more easily and that your kids will make new friends more quickly, but also that all of you are going to adjust to the community without much trouble.
Raleigh is a dream come true for all entrepreneurs and innovators and all medical researchers, doctors, and nurses. It’s the fastest-growing area with a thriving economy and an excellent job market. The most common words associated with the place are young, diverse, and educated. What more could you ask for?
Most Affordable Ownership Rates
It’s no surprise at all that Raleigh is on our list, especially not when it comes to one of the most significant living expenses. According to the latest data, the median home value in this area is around $280,000. This is a perfect moment to mention their sales tax rate of 7.3%. Also, monthly rental expenses are 30% lower than the national average, which means that you can find an apartment for $750.
Get Your Bags and Head Off to One of the Best Cities in America to Raise a Family
Sure, when you have a list like this one, choosing the right place for families does not come as an easy decision. Yet again, whichever community you decide to call home, it won’t be a mistake.
In case you’re relocating at the last minute or you’re relocating for the first time, you might want to consider hiring state-to-state movers to help with the upcoming relocation process. Remember that the cost of interstate moving depends on the moving services needed, and the truth is you might need quite a few to move efficiently. But with professional packing and the quality packing materials provided by professional long-distance movers, you’ll save much of your time and energy for other essential aspects of the move.
