Best places to live for starting a family
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Nocatee, Florida
– Population: 19,601
– Location: Suburb of Jacksonville, Florida
Nocatee received A grades for public schools, jobs, outdoor activities, and health and fitness offerings, which all make the city a good option for families. On the other hand, Nocatee’s nightlife and commute received C-plus grades. The median home value is $439,700, and the median household income is $128,382.
Saintrain // Wikimedia Commons
#24. La Canada Flintridge, California
– Population: 20,613
– Location: Suburb of Los Angeles
While the high cost of living, earning a D-plus, may be a drawback for some families, La Cañada Flintridge received A-plus grades for public schools, weather, and health and fitness offerings, as well as an A for outdoor activities. The median home value is $1.67 million, and the median household income is $187,384.
Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Johns Creek, Georgia
– Population: 82,068
– Location: Suburb of Atlanta
Johns Creek received A-plus grades for public schools and health and fitness offerings and A grades for jobs and ethnic and economic diversity. It received its lowest grade, a B-minus, for cost of living, crime and safety, and commute. The median home value is $452,700, and the median household income is $133,948.
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#22. Cape Elizabeth, Maine
– Population: 9,448
Families will appreciate Cape Elizabeth’s public schools, which received an A-plus, and outdoor activities along the Atlantic coast, which received an A. Cape Elizabeth’s lowest grades, a C-plus, were for cost of living, diversity, and weather. The median home value is $514,900, and the median household income is $129,503.
HopsonRoad // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Norwich, Vermont
– Population: 3,584
Norwich received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for outdoor activities and commute. Just across the Connecticut River from Norwich is Hanover, New Hampshire, home of Dartmouth College and #18 on this list. Norwich’s lowest grade is a C for weather. The median home value is $459,500, and the median household income is $121,509.
Jasonbook99 // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Kohler, Wisconsin
– Population: 2,072
Kohler received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for housing, jobs, and nightlife that includes various bars and restaurants not far from the Lake Michigan shoreline. Kohler received a C-plus for weather. The median home value is $284,000, and the median household income is $111,563.
Chyeburashka at English Wikipedia // Wikimedia Commons
#19. White Rock, New Mexico
– Population: 5,716
White Rock received A-plus grades for public schools, housing, and health and fitness offerings. Bordered by the Rio Grande River and White Rock Canyon, the town received A grades for outdoor activities and weather. Its lowest grade is a C-plus for nightlife. The median home value is $351,300, and the median household income is $135,500.
Ken_Gallager (talk) (Uploads) // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Hanover, New Hampshire
– Population: 11,612
Hanover received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for outdoor activities and commute, while its lowest grade is a C for weather. The home of Dartmouth College, Hanover is located just across the Connecticut River from Norwich, Vermont, #21 on this list. The median home value is $577,400, and the median household income is $146,198.
HewittT01 // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Anchorage, Kentucky
– Population: 2,607
– Location: Suburb of Louisville, Kentucky
Public schools in Anchorage received an A-plus, and the city received A grades for jobs, crime and safety, and health and fitness offerings. On the other hand, it received a C for ethnic and economic diversity. The median home value is $707,100, and the median household income is $199,261.
MoBikeFed // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Wildwood, Missouri
– Population: 35,384
– Location: Suburb of St. Louis
Wildwood received A-plus grades for public schools and jobs and an A for housing. The city didn’t receive a grade below B-minus in any category. The median home value is $398,100, and the median household income is $140,685.
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#15. Carmel, Indiana
– Population: 98,137
Located north of Indianapolis, Carmel received A-plus grades for public schools, health and fitness offerings, and jobs, as numerous corporate headquarters and regional offices are located there. Carmel received an A for housing, and the city didn’t receive lower than a B-minus in any category. The median home value is $372,100, and the median household income is $119,772.
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#14. Medina, Minnesota
– Population: 6,654
– Location: Suburb of Minneapolis
Medina received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for housing, jobs, and health and fitness offerings. Its lowest grade is a C-plus for weather. The median home value is $611,800, and the median household income is $187,031.
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Holly Hills, Colorado
– Population: 2,843
– Location: Suburb of Denver
Holly Hills received A-plus grades for public schools, nightlife, and health and fitness offerings. While the C-graded cost of living may be unaffordable for some families, Holly Hills received A grades for jobs, outdoor activities, and commute. The median home value is $533,000, and the median household income is $134,722.
Iridium9 // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Cinco Ranch, Texas
– Population: 18,399
– Location: Suburb of Houston
Cinco Ranch received A-plus grades for public schools and jobs and an A for health and fitness offerings. There’s little to dislike in the suburb, receiving no less than a B-minus in all categories. The median home value is $381,500, and the median household income is $152,662.
Jplatts at English Wikipedia // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Yarrow Point, Washington
– Population: 1,365
– Location: Suburb of Seattle
Yarrow Point received A-plus grades for public schools and health and fitness offerings and A grades for outdoor activities, crime and safety, and commute. Yarrow Point sits across Lake Washington from Seattle, connected by State Route 520, though the C-minus for cost of living may put the suburb out of reach for some families. The median home value is $2 million, and the median household income is $250,001.
Carol M. Highsmith (1946–) // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Riverside, Connecticut
– Population: 9,133
Riverside received A-plus grades for public schools and health and fitness offerings and an A for outdoor activities. Located about 40 miles from New York, the C-graded cost of living may deter some families. The median home value is $1.57 million, and the median household income is $250,001.
Lynne Neuman // Shutterstock
#9. South Russell, Ohio
– Population: 3,962
– Location: Suburb of Cleveland
South Russell received A-plus grades for public schools and housing and A grades for jobs and health and fitness offerings. Families should be prepared for D-plus inclement weather for at least part of the year in South Russell. The median home value is $365,800, and the median household income is $156,875.
Ian (Wiki Ed) // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Okemos, Michigan
– Population: 25,179
– Location: Suburb of Lansing, Michigan
Public schools in Okemos received an A-plus, and the city—located near Michigan State University—received A grades for ethnic and economic diversity as well as health and fitness offerings. Its lowest grade was a C-plus for weather. The median home value is $277,000, and the median household income is $83,019.
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#7. Broadlands, Virginia
– Population: 14,835
Located 35 miles from Washington D.C., Broadlands received A-plus grades for public schools and jobs and an A for health and fitness offerings. It did not receive lower than a B-minus in any category. The median home value is $664,600, and the median household income is $203,455.
Carol M. Highsmith (1946–) // Wikimedia Commons
#6. South Kensington, Maryland
– Population: 8,566
Another suburb of Washington D.C., South Kensington received A-plus grades for public schools, nightlife, and health and fitness offerings, plus an A for outdoor activities. The C-plus cost of living may be unaffordable for some families. The median home value is $806,700, and the median household income is $197,500.
Mr. Matté // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Princeton Junction, New Jersey
– Population: 2,208
Princeton Junction received A-plus grades for public schools and health and fitness offerings and A grades for housing and outdoor activities. Families will find few complaints with Princeton Junction, receiving no less than a B-minus in any category. The median home value is $574,100, and the median household income is $196,364.
Kamil Zelezik // Shutterstock
#4. Long Grove, Illinois
– Population: 8,258
– Location: Suburb of Chicago
Known for its rural charm, Long Grove received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for housing, outdoor activities, and health and fitness offerings. Like other Midwest cities, its downside is C-plus weather. The median home value is $644,000, and the median household income is $207,275.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#3. Wayland, Massachusetts
– Population: 13,859
– Location: Suburb of Boston
Wayland received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for jobs, outdoor activities, crime and safety, and health and fitness offerings. Its lowest grade is a C-plus for weather. The median home value is $762,400, and the median household income is $203,789.
AITFFan1 // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Kensington, New York
– Population: 1,299
– Location: Suburb of New York
Kensington received A-plus grades for public schools, crime and safety, and health and fitness, plus an A for outdoor activities. Its drawback is a C-plus cost of living. The median home value is $1.38 million, and the median household income is $193,417.
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#1. Devon, Pennsylvania
– Population: 1,981
– Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
Topping the list is Devon, which received an A-plus for public schools and A grades for housing, jobs, outdoor activities like the Devon Horse Show, and health and fitness offerings. On the other hand, Devon received C-plus grades for weather and ethnic and economic diversity. The median home value is $663,300, and the median household income is $197,820.
