Best Places to Live When Your Crazy Single Days Are Over
Some places are great for playing the field, and other spots are perfect for settling down with your mate. If your idea of night life centers around hitting the sofa instead of the dance floor, you'd fit right in in these five cities, where half or more of the population is married. That's well above the 40% average in the 64 biggest U.S. cities (population 300,000 and above) Money reviewed when compiling our annual list of the Best Places to Live. Looking to be surrounded by wedded bliss? Look no further.—Kerri Anne Renzulli
1. Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky's biggest city is also home to the nation's largest urban population of married couples. Here 51.7% of residents have put a ring on it. For date night, Louisville couples can take in a game at Slugger Field (also a popular place to get married!) or embark on a romantic stroll through the 72-acre Louisville Waterfront Park and admire views of the downtown area and Ohio River.
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2. Virginia Beach, Va.
Virginia Beach, a resort city located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, boasts a 51.5% wedded population. All those sunny days spent frolicking in the sand and surf clearly keeps couples feeling happy; after all, the area does contain the longest pleasure beach in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. And then there are the region's famous blue crabs and oysters, a proven aphrodisiac, which may also be contributing to all that matrimonial bliss.
3. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Perched at the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains, at the base of the famous Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is well known for its outdoor adventure and tourism (Money named it one of the best places for outdoor lovers). It's less well-known as a haven for wedded couples; 51.2% of residents are married.
4. San Jose, Calif.
As the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose houses thousands of big-name tech companies, providing residents with great economic opportunities and the happiest workplace environment, according to a survey by Careerbliss.com. That job satisfaction evidently carries over into their home life as well: 50.8% of residents are married and only 8.4% are divorced. Of course, if things do go south for a San Jose couple, they're only 50 miles from San Francisco, the top spot to be rich and single.
5. Mesa, Ariz.
Money's best city in the Southwest, this Phoenix suburb is a great, affordable place for raising a family, so it's no surprise that Mesa is also a popular spot for happily married couples. Half the residents here (49.5%) are hitched. Mesa also has one of the best school districts in the state and great recreational opportunities, especially for golf enthusiasts but also for outdoor lovers of all kinds.