Hoover, Alabama. The Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, which hosts the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament, was the one-time stomping ground to Michael Jordan, who briefly played for the Birmingham Barons.
Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a staple in the Anchorage community, hosting events like the Indigenous World Film Festival and Iditarod Day, which celebrates the state's famous dog sled race.
Scottsdale, Arizona. Before you move here, be sure you love golf, spas, and a hot, sunny desert climate. These days, high-end restaurants, bars, galleries and shops are also plentiful around town.
Rogers, Arkansas. The steel-truss War Eagle bridge, built in 1907, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Eastvale, California. Tucked in a desert valley about 45 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Eastvale feels like a shiny new toy: Built on land formerly owned by dairy farmers, it was incorporated only six years ago and is one of the most racially diverse places on our list.
Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Residents refer to the town 15 miles south of Denver as “the bubble” because crime is low, the schools are top-notch, and jobs are plentiful.
West Hartford, Connecticut. With two public golf courses, a skating rink, multiple pools, and America’s oldest public rose garden, there’s something for everyone here.
Wilmington, Delaware. At the confluence of the Christina and Brandywine rivers, Wilmington has been undergoing a waterfront revival.
Weston, Florida. Sitting between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west, Weston has no shortage of green space, including a dozen sports fields, nearly 50 miles of lined bike lanes, and the 100-acre Weston Regional Park.
East Cobb, Georgia. The unincorporated area administered by the Cobb County Government was once dominated by chain restaurants, but it's now embracing mom-and-pops that will give your taste buds a pleasant surprise—and make the most of the small-town Dixie hospitality.
Koolaupoko, Hawaii. This southeastern district off the windward coast of Oahu has the lush valleys, gorgeous beaches, and barrier reefs that the 50th state is famous for, along with a rich history and a 3.6% unemployment rate.
Boise, Idaho. Boise's outdoor splendors stretch as wide as the horizon, but there are plenty of cultural standouts as well, including the 75-year-old Boise Art Museum, the annual Shakespeare festival, and a vibrant Basque community, which dates to the early 1900s.
Naperville, Illinois. There's plenty to do in downtown Naperville, with more than 100 shops, 40 restaurants, and the rejuvenated, art-lined Riverwalk.
Fishers, Indiana. Within city limits, the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, and the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater provide history buffs, outdoors lovers, and theater-goers a wealth of diversions.
West Des Moines, Iowa Raccoon Regional Park is the prime outdoor spot in West Des Moines, with a 232-acre lake, nature lodge, dog park, and more.
Overland Park, Kansas. The second largest city in Kansas has a weekly farmers' market, themed gardens in the 300-Acre Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and the striking Museum at Prairiefire (above).
Lexington, Kentucky. The Horse Capital of the World is in the center of the inner Bluegrass Region. And have we mentioned you will never have to worry about finding good bourbon again?
Bossier City, Louisiana. Along the east bank of the Red River, Bossier City is home to Barksdale Air Force Base and four riverboat casinos/hotels.
Portland, Maine. The "other" Portland has become a foodie outpost in its own right—and a darn good drinking city, too. To showcase its vibrant beer scene, the first week of November is Portland Beer Week.
Columbia, Maryland Swan rides are only one of the kid-friendly past-times on Columbia's Lake Kittamaqundi. There are also free outdoor movies and concerts, plenty of restaurants, and the annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza.
Newton, Massachusetts. Comprised of 13 small villages each with its own quaint downtown area, Newton is a city rich in racial diversity, cultural activities, and plenty of good jobs, thanks in part to its two largest employers: Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
Novi, Michigan. Among the metro-Detroit suburbs and towns, Novi stands out for its affordable housing, high median income, and remarkably international population.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota. All the homes in the Eden Gardens neighborhood are built from reclaimed materials and feature solar panels, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and no-mow or low-mow yards.
Gulfport, Mississippi. Among its attractions are a 250-acre Gulfport Sportsplex and Gulf Islands Water Park, the largest water park on the coast.
Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The 692-acre Legacy Park includes an amphitheater, a lake, and enough open space for residents to enjoy a free concert or spend some time practicing outdoor yoga.
Billings, Montana. How's this for the great outdoors? Billings (a.k.a. Montana's Trailhead) hosts the state's only walkable brewery district.
Lincoln, Nebraska. This city of some 272,000 people is also a college town, home to the University of Nebraska.
Enterprise, Nevada. Though it’s located in the shadow of Las Vegas, Enterprise is more of a shopping destination than a gambler’s paradise. Its Town Square Mall is an upscale retail center with more than 120 stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue.
Nashua, New Hampshire. Nashua was actually the first winner of Money's Best Places to Live, in 1987. Today, the waterfront downtown is enjoying a renaissance.
Parsippany, New Jersey. Parsippany may be only 35 miles from the Big Apple, but it feels like small-town America and is proud of its connection to the outdoors. (For instance, these cheerleaders are celebrating Arbor Day.)
Sante Fe, New Mexico. Living in Santa Fe, which was built by Spanish colonists in 1610, is a bit like living in a museum, thanks to the pueblo-style architecture and Museum Hill, home to the city's substantial art collections.
Clarkstown, New York. Its nine villages are all within a 35-mile drive of New York City, but Clarkstown’s $360,000 median home price is a bargain in this expensive corner of the country.
Cary, North Carolina. A suburb of Raleigh, Cary offers a solid school system, safe streets, healthy job opportunities—plus 39 greenway trails and a massive nature preserve.
Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grand Forks is home to University of North Dakota, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, and a slice of the Red River, which is itself occasionally host to some very talented yoga practitioners.
West Chester, Ohio. Speaker of the House John Boehner liked this area so much he decided to retire here. Summer weekends in the township mean outdoor movies in the park on Friday nights and a farmers’ market every Saturday on the Square.
Edmond, Oklahoma. There are 62 golf courses within 30 miles of Edmond, but it's OK if the links aren't your thing. If you prefer the water, Arcadia Lake is a terrific spot for fishing bluegill, channel and blue catfish, and largemouth bass.
Beaverton, Oregon. One in five Beaverton residents was born outside the U.S., and nearly 100 languages are spoken in the public schools—which, incidentally, rank among the best in the state.
Levittown, Pennsylvania. This Philadelphia suburb is relatively new compared to its neighbors. Yet what Levittown lacks in history it makes up for with affordable homes, outdoor spaces, good schools, and humane commutes.
Cranston, Rhode Island. This city south of Providence shares the Narragansett Bay and is home to Pawtuxet Village, an emerging foodie destination.
Charleston, South Carolina. One of the prettiest cities in the country, Charleston is kissed on all sides by water, from the Cooper and Ashley rivers to the harbor leading to the Atlantic.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Falls get top billing, but events like the monthly “First Friday,” where businesses and restaurants stay open late and organize live music, also draw bring crowds to this city on the Big Sioux river.
Bartlett, Tennesse. Back in the 1800s, Bartlett was a stop on the stagecoach route. In fact, it was formed from two towns: one called Union Depot and the other, apparently alluding to the lush surroundings, called Green Bottom.
Plano, Texas. The Plano Balloon Festival has become a signature annual event every fall. The rest of the year, Plano is known for making good on its motto—"A great place to do business," which has helped draw companies including J.C. Penney, Frito-Lay, and Bank of America to town.
Layton, Utah. Among the most popular events in family-friendly Layton is the annual Taste of the Town festival in the Layton Commons Park.
Ashburn, Virginia. At Ashburn’s epicenter is One Loudoun, a community that blends offices, shops, restaurants, entertainment, condominiums, and hotels where people gather for outdoor concerts, farmer’s markets, 5K races, and the December tree lighting ceremony.
Sammamish, Washington. Sammamish Commons, which hosts farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts, and Shakespeare theater, is a community hub. Residents can walk to the library, city hall, and brand new, 60,000-square-foot aquatic and community center that hosts youth camps, community events, and fitness classes for people of all ages.
Charleston, West Virginia. Fall looks good on Charleston from across the North Plaza of the West Virginia State Capitol building in autumn.
