2020 Best Places to Live in AmericaAbout this List

Chesterbrook

• Suburb of Philadelphia, PA
• 48 reviews

Current Resident: Before living in Chesterbrook, I lived in Northeast Philadelphia with my four siblings and parents. When I had gotten the news we would be moving to Chesterbrook I was undoubtedly heartbroken as I would be leaving my friends and family behind in Philadelphia. However, after having spent a year living within Chesterbrook, I can say it is one of the safest neighborhoods I have lived in. The area is very family friendly, has amazing schools, and full of color. However, with great areas come downfalls. The lack of diversity within the area is quite disappointing coming from a mid suburban area. The area is also extremely costly due to the conditions of Chesterbrook and is amazing school district, making it difficult to give it a 5/5 rating.
Read 48 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 4,714 Population

Bluemont

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
• 1 review

Current Resident: I love Bluemont - the mountain town is away from the hustle of Northern Virginia, but close enough to have access to city life.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• A+

• 5,987 Population

Radnor/Fort Myer Heights

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
• 1 review

• A+

• A+

• 11,076 Population

Holly Hills

• Suburb of Denver, CO
• 6 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in this neighborhood for 30 years and I love the proximity of it to all areas of Metro Denver. Where I live is close to the light rail, Highline Canal, and several shopping areas, it's like a mini city in and of itself. The only major dislike I have for the area and the state, in general, is that housing has become so expensive, it is difficult to live in the vicinity of Denver without having to work two jobs or have a six-figure income. Many people are getting priced out of their homes and apartments due to the influx of people moving in and a housing shortage. Also, traffic has become a nightmare!
Read 6 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 2,909 Population

Penn Wynne

• Suburb of Philadelphia, PA
• 14 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania. I have lived here for the past 15 years and spent elementary, middle, and am currently finishing up high school living in this neighborhood. Many of my friends live here, and I have met many kind people from all over Penn Wynne. Penn Wynne has a small town feeling with all of the benefits of living minutes away from Philadelphia. I love the parks and open spaces that Penn Wynne has to offer. I am not sure where I will live when I am older, but Penn Wynne will always have a special place in my heart.
Read 14 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 5,758 Population

Ocean Park

• Neighborhood in Santa Monica, CA
• 9 reviews

Current Resident: Ocean park is a safe neighborhood that caters to anyone and everyone, including families and students. It's just a short distance to the beautiful Santa Monica beach and is home to great restaurants and boutiques!
Read 9 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 12,122 Population

Carmel

• Town in Indiana
• 249 reviews

Current Resident: Great little town that is gaining population quickly! We have every shop and store that you could possibly need to settle down and live out the rest of your life happily. The people are nice and the traffic is better. Having almost 0 stop lights in our city, you can plan on saving your brakes considering you hardly use them. Come visit Carmel, IN sometime. You may just never leave.
Read 249 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 90,163 Population

City Center

• Neighborhood in Santa Monica, CA
• 2 reviews

Niche User: I love living in this area, a lot of things to do and very accessible to many things.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 3,196 Population

Harbour Island

• Neighborhood in Tampa, FL
• 3 reviews

Current Resident: Harbour Island is centrally located in downtown Tampa. I love living on the water, and easy walking distances to the downtown area. Then this is a good location for me. I attend Eckerd College campus in Tampa and St. Petersburg location. My apartment complex is conveniently located to both campuses.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 3,506 Population

Brookline

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 122 reviews

Current Resident: Every day I feel grateful to live in such a safe, beautiful, and diverse town like Brookline! The town of Brookline is very close to downtown Boston (15-20 minute train ride at the most). That being said, there are plenty of amenities available in Brookline itself that make traveling downtown necessary only occasionally, including Trader Joe's and many delicious restaurants and bars. Having grown up in a major city, I appreciate how safe I feel in Brookline even late at night. The town attracts people from all over the world, many of whom move here for professional opportunities. I have never had to worry about the streets being plowed in the winter, as the town is extremely on top of it! Honestly, this is as close to a Utopia town as you can get, and the only downside is that the housing stock is pretty old and expensive. Your best bet is to buy an apartment if you can and make it over, or find a rental property that the landlord is willing to renovate.
Read 122 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 59,234 Population

Mid-City

• Neighborhood in Santa Monica, CA
• 15 reviews

Niche User: Santa Monica is an amazing city. Theres a lot of fun things to do there. You can go to the beach, visit the pier, drive up and down pch. The food is amazing and the weather is outstanding.
Read 15 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 16,529 Population

Ballston/Virginia Square

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
• 8 reviews

Niche User: The most economically diverse area that I (in my significant privilege) encounter is the plaza right outside the Ballston metro. Lots of homeless folks sleep there, but I've never seen them cause trouble. Random men have catcalled me, especially by the bus bays, and I was followed home from the metro once by a guy on a bike. Otherwise, some panhandling is the worst of it.
Read 8 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 13,824 Population

Okemos

• Suburb of Lansing, MI
• 79 reviews

Current Resident: Ideal family community. Strong public schools. The high school has full range of AP classes, kids score 4-5's. Excellent school music and art programs. Very safe. Kids make friendships across social classes. Religiously diverse metro area with Jewish synagogues, an Islamic mosque, a Hindu and Jain temple, churches with services in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, African American churches, etc. Restaurants and grocery stores from many cultures. Many cultural opportunities at MSU. Parks, trails, lakes, farmer's market.
Read 79 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 23,912 Population

Los Alamos

• Town in New Mexico
• 16 reviews

Former Resident: Los Alamos is in a remote but idyllic ponderosa pine setting atop 5 mesas (7,500 ft elevation) overlooking the Rio Grande valley. It is a town of cultural diversity being the home to scientists from all over the world, yet encircled by Native American land. It is a wonderful place for raising a family...safe environment...good school system...lots of free activities designed for young families. There are many trails to hike, parks to explore, playgrounds to enjoy, museums and nature center activities to enlighten. There is a golf course, an aquacenter and ski slopes at hand. If you like to perform musically or theatrically there are various organizations which provide plenty of opportunities. There is an arts center with a shop to display ones creations. There is a large public library that is well supported by its highly educated community members. We lived in Los Alamos for 12 years...it was a privilege to have been able to do so.
Read 16 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 12,373 Population

Sammamish Valley

• Neighborhood in Redmond, WA

• A+

• A+

• 2,408 Population

Ardmore

• Suburb of Philadelphia, PA
• 20 reviews

Current Resident: What I love about Ardmore is that is extremely quiet and most the people who live out here are extremely cordial. The community of Ardmore is also very festive depending on the season. There are so many things here that a child can find to entertain themselves. This community is filled with children's parks, a community swimming pool, many small restaurants that each offer unique international cuisines. Growing up here was extremely beneficial to my childhood. This town gave me everything I needed to grow up to the young man I am today.
Read 20 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 13,083 Population

University South

• Neighborhood in Palo Alto, CA
• 2 reviews

Niche User: Palo Alto is a healthy and beautiful city to reside in. The heart of Stanford University, there are ample resources to be creative and change the world by way of entrepreneurship, technology, research and being in the presence of like minded individuals. I have never seen skies this blue or grass so green. Palo Alto offers safe clean neighborhoods with a very diverse population. I would definitely live here again if the cost of living were more affordable.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 3,673 Population

Overlake

• Neighborhood in Redmond, WA
• 9 reviews

Niche User: There are fairly few crimes but many police to make the area feel extra safe.
Read 9 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 12,732 Population

Clarendon Hills

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• 23 reviews

Current Resident: Great small town with excellent schools and a cute downtown. Easy to get to downtown Chicago on train or highway. Cons: lack of diversity and more conservatives than I would like to live near. Also, lack of local businesses leads to higher taxes and the downtown needs some work (though it is improving). Needs better restaurants and a bar or two that doesn’t close at 9:30. It’s a safe, clean and friendly community and a really nice place to live.
Read 23 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 8,711 Population

Ventura

• Neighborhood in Palo Alto, CA
• 1 review

Works Here: Safety, the neighbor and up and coming with affordable housing. Great opportunity to watch
growth happen. Award winning schools.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• A+

• 3,687 Population

Spanishtown

• Neighborhood in Tampa, FL
• 2 reviews

Nearby Resident: This is NOT called Spanish town. It's an excellent area and a very popular place to live and spend time in. The schools they list for this area are NOT correct.
Great restaurants, place to hang out! Great area to live. University of Tampa nearby and close to Downtown.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 1,387 Population

Richmond Heights

• Suburb of St. Louis, MO
• 18 reviews

Former Resident: One of the best st louis has to offer with it's safe neighborhoods, location and amenities. Lived here for a year and felt safe/comfortable and close to forest park, stores, other neighborhoods and the business districts. The little shops were nice and lots of foot traffic was not weirdos like other areas in the city. community center nearby and overall an excellent place to live. Only issue was with living in an apartment near residential area was making friends. people were more reserved here and I think homeownership is important to fit in.. I would recommend this area to anyone with a family and a well/okay paying job.
Read 18 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 8,457 Population

Wilshire/Montana

• Neighborhood in Santa Monica, CA
• 17 reviews

Parent: Fortunate to live here because of amazing city services (fantastic libraries, city beach club, best community college, superb public schools, thoughtful about transportation with light rail arriving soon), perfect climate, "Los Angeles at the beach", thoughtful about the environment--with the exception of over-building, and too many tourists!
Read 17 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 15,728 Population

Clarendon/Courthouse

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
• 1 review

Current Resident: It's a very quick trip to Ballston or Washington DC which is convenient for commuting. Many restaurants and stores are walking distance.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• A+

• 8,852 Population

Houserville

• Town in Pennsylvania
• 12 reviews

Current Resident: Very clean, quaint, charming neighborhood of State College, PA. Voted #3 in best places to live in the United States. Great public schools, very close to Penn State University. Cata bus allows for easy commute to downtown State College.
Read 12 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 2,013 Population