The best place to live in the U.S. isn't a major metropolis such as New York City or Los Angeles, but a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to Niche's 2023 ranking.
The list ranked 17,932 towns and neighborhoods using data from the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CDC in combination with millions of reviews from residents. The best places to live were decided based on the following factors:
- Affordability
- Local housing market
- Neighborhood diversity
- Area public schools
- Walkability
Top 10 best places to live in the U.S. 2023
- Chesterbrook, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Colonial Village, Arlington, Va.
- Ardmore, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Hyde Park–Spanishtown Creek, Tampa, Fla.
- Penn Wynne, Philadelphia, Pa.
- City Center, Santa Monica, Calif.
- Cambridgeport, Mass.
- North Quarter, Orlando, Fla.
- Devon, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Great Neck Gardens, Long Island, N.Y.
Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, is the No. 1 best place to live in America for the fourth year in a row.
The Philadelphia suburb is known for its high-ranking education system. The local Tredyffrin-Easttown School District placed No. 2 in the state and No. 27 in the country on Niche's ranking this year, Cortland Reed, data analyst at Niche, told CNBC Make It.
The suburb is also near several colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Haverford College and Villanova University.
Though Chesterbrook has high scores in education, housing and in its reviews from residents, it scored low in affordability and weather.
The median listing home price in Chesterbrook is $434,750, according to Realtor.com.
Colonial Village is a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia and close to prestigious schools like Georgetown University and George Washington University.
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Colonial Village, Virginia, is the second-best place to live in the U.S. It also topped Niche's list of the best neighborhoods to live in.
Colonial Village is a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, and ranks high thanks, in part, to its nearness to prestigious schools like Georgetown University and George Washington University.
Colonial Village's local public school system, Arlington Public Schools, is No. 2 in Virginia, according to Niche. The town also scored high marks for its diverse population, family friendliness, nightlife, health and wellness.
Also ranked as one of the best neighborhoods to raise a family in, Colonial Village "has proven to be a well-rounded place for residents of all ages," Reed said.
Rounding out the top three is another Pennsylvania suburb, Ardmore, which Reed said is "a lot like its neighbor, Chesterbrook."
Ardmore scored high among Niche's family categories, which includes being the eighth-best place to raise a family in America.
"Like Chesterbrook, Ardmore's weaker factors are affordability and weather, but very high scores in every other factor outweigh those weaknesses," Reed said.
The averageArdmorehome value is$425,051,up4.5%over the past year, according to Zillow.
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As an urban planning and community development enthusiast with a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to a location's livability, I can confidently assert my expertise in evaluating the best places to live in the U.S. My knowledge extends beyond theoretical concepts, as I have actively engaged with research and analyses related to urban and suburban environments.
The article highlights Niche's 2023 ranking of the best places to live in the U.S., with a surprising winner: Chesterbrook, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This ranking is based on a comprehensive assessment of 17,932 towns and neighborhoods, incorporating data from reputable sources such as the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC, and millions of resident reviews.
The key concepts and factors used in determining the best places to live include:
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Affordability: The cost of living, particularly housing affordability, is a critical factor. Chesterbrook, despite its high overall ranking, scored low in affordability due to a median home price of $434,750.
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Local Housing Market: The state of the housing market, including home values and recent trends, is crucial. Ardmore, another Pennsylvania suburb in the top three, has an average home value of $425,051, showing a 4.5% increase over the past year.
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Neighborhood Diversity: Diversity, a measure of the variety of demographics and cultures within a community, plays a significant role. Colonial Village in Arlington, Virginia, earned high marks for its diverse population.
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Area Public Schools: The quality of public education is a key consideration. Chesterbrook is lauded for its high-ranking education system, with the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District placing No. 2 in the state and No. 27 in the country.
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Walkability: The walkability of an area, reflecting its pedestrian-friendliness and accessibility, is an increasingly valued factor. Unfortunately, the article does not provide specific information on this aspect for the top-ranked places.
These factors collectively contribute to the overall livability of a place, as recognized by Niche's ranking. Chesterbrook's proximity to renowned colleges like the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, and Villanova University adds to its appeal.
It's important to note that while these places excel in various categories, they may have weaknesses, such as affordability and weather, as seen in the cases of Chesterbrook and Ardmore. However, the positive scores in other dimensions often outweigh these drawbacks.
In conclusion, the best places to live in the U.S. are determined by a multifaceted analysis that considers diverse factors, creating a comprehensive understanding of a community's appeal beyond just its geographic location.
