Have you ever wondered if your childhood would have been happier within another city? Maybe. Checkout the best 25 best cities to grow up in.
1. BURLINGTON, VERMONT
Burlington offers an idyllic place to grow up. There are endless outdoor activities for youths to get involved in year round and the school district’s Farm 2 School program teaches children to be healthy, nutritious and ecologically mindful.
2. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Controversial as it may seem, it would be foolish to not take into account the abundance of great schools, parks, recreational activities, multiculturalism, museums, zoos, galleries and an opportunity to grow up in a city that promotes the American dream in all its glory.
3. AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin is like a small town with some big town amenities. With a laid back, family culture and endless outdoor activities, Austin offers a diverse community, year round sunshine and a musical, colourful playground to grow up in. Oh, some great schools too!
4. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Low cost of living, low crime, great schools, beautiful and green tree lined streets and 30 minute drive from the shores of Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids also boasts a zoo and a children’s museum.
5. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
A large city offering up great employment prospects and a slice of great heritage. Boston also boasts a children’s museum, second to none schooling institutions and the Boston Children’s Hospital.
6. BOISE, IDAHO
Combine some of the lowest crime rates in the country; throw in some high quality schooling institutions, offer a happy medium of urban and outdoor living activities, and I think we’re in for a winner.
7. WASHINGTON DC
Growing up in Washington DC comes with a sense of pride for our nation. It is a place where things happen that affect the rest of the country. A place with intellectuals and excellent opportunities to learn. A beautiful green city with the ability to inspire young minds.
8. RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
Forbes voted the best place to raise a family. Great parks and trails, low crime rate, high earning potential, fantastic educational facilities and some cool things to do for kids.
9. OMAHA , NEBRASKA
Omaha is home to the spectacular Omaha Zoo and the largest indoor rainforest in the USA. There are countless activities and festivals for children in this vibrant Midwest City. There are short commutes for parents and crimes rates are relatively low.
10. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
This city ranks high for healthy air quality, safe streets and low unemployment. This city encourages cycling and alternative methods of transportation. Sustainability and green living are important factors making this city a great place to grow up.
11. DES MOINES, IOWA
An affordable city that does not lack in security, jobs, green spaces and good schools. There are a number of historical sites and a good pool of children’s activities.
12. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
The most literate city in the U.S. An explosion of music and arts and markets and parks and extremely literate children growing up in a great city.
13. OGDEN, UTAH
Ogden is firstly, spectacularly beautiful. It keeps a small town feel but has an impressive booming tourist industry in the winter ski season, great job opportunities, low cost of living but high rate of pay. Perfect!
14. CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA
Very low crime rates, very good schools, very well maintained, very good recreational activities, a very beautiful spot for growing up in.
15. CINCINNATI, OHIO
A large city with great opportunities. Some excellent parks, the Cincinnati Zoo and top notch museums and
galleries.
16. PROVO, UTAH
Lowest metro crime rate in the whole of the USA. Beautiful mountainous landscapes surround the city certainly inspiring lasting memories from childhood.
17. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
A huge sprawling city full of diversity and the arts. A great city to grow up in to gain tolerance and compassion for others. Many children’s amusements and attractions. Access to great educational institutions.
18. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
Close to the scenic Finger Lakes region, Rochester metro area is relatively low cost to live in compared to the rest of the country. There are tons of outdoor activities for children in the area and a low crime rate.
19. HONOLULU, HAWAII
Great weather, great schools, over 120 beaches to explore across the island, great employment opportunities
within the tourist industry and of course, who doesn’t want a little island life?
20. DENVER, COLORADO
Fairly low crime rates, abundant recreational activities for children, a ‘Walk Friendly Community’ and a great place to grow up.
21. MADISON, WISCONSIN
A healthy, safe and historical city. The Madison farmers market is a great family event with live music, locally grown produce trade and set in a beautiful green city.
22. YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
Very affordable, upcoming and boasts some great schools! Hiking, biking and fishing are just a few of the many recreational activities on offer in the vicinity of this city.
23. BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Set in the foothills on the Appalachians, Birmingham offers up big city life combined with a number of agricultural clubs, festivals and over 99 historical neighborhoods to explore. This is a great place to grow and learn.
24. MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
More money per student is spent here than almost anywhere else in the USA. Middleton has impressive schooling programs. An hour and a half ride from the Big Apple, Middletown offers opportunities for high earning and all the sights of the city for children whilst giving them access to over 34 state parks in the region.
25. VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
Virginia Beach has beautiful shorelines, and is an eco-friendly leader in the USA. There are plenty of seafront activities for youths and it’s a super safe city.
