The 16 best places to live in the U.S. might just surprise you

While attractions like museums and sports stadiums are obvious reasons for Twin Cities’ big city appeal, the region exudes a friendly, oh-so-charming Midwestern nature that’s easy to love. There are plenty of outdoor activities (think cross country skiing and ice fishing) that open up as the seasons change, while a steady stream of music festivals and baseball games please the crowds. A science-focused industry with companies like Xcel Energy and Medtronic also keeps the Twin Cities region sharp while the headquarters of retail giants like Best Buy and Target provide a range of work opportunities.

Portland, Maine, may not be as well known as its Oregon sister, but it's an equally lovely place to live. Although it's Maine's largest city, it keeps a tidy population of just around 66,000, maintaining a laid-back lifestyle right on the water. A burgeoning arts and culture scene keeps the city entertained; it's even sometimes referred to as Portlyn—a.k.a., Maine's equivalent to Brooklyn.

Denver is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. More than 50,000 new residents arrived between July 2019 and July 2020 alone. Educated millennials lead the charge, drawn to Denver’s cool music scene, an array of breweries, a roster of art museums, public transportation network (including a bike share), and in some cases, the state's legalization of marijuana. What else? It has 4,000 acres of parks and it's close to the Rocky Mountains—major bonus points for the Mile High City.

Locally owned restaurants, hip bars, and unique shops are among the top perks millennials and young families love about this city. Historical residences in quiet neighborhoods certainly don’t hurt either, nor does the job market, which continues to thrive with over 80 insurance companies—including Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Allied Insurance—based in the city.

With over 80 breweries, Grand Rapids is well known as “Beer City USA.” But there's more to this place than just ales and lagers. You'll find plenty of live music and public art, plus a job market dominated by healthcare and education. On top of it all, Grand Rapids has no shortage of outdoor recreational activities and affordable housing—it’s grand indeed.

With multi-hued fall foliage amid the cascading Blue Ridge Mountains, a bustling downtown, and a vibrant food and craft beer scene, it’s no wonder that artists have flocked to Asheville generation after generation. Now with a dedicated River Arts District, there are over 200 creators—including ceramicists, painters, and craftspeople—that routinely fill galleries and run art classes. If you want to be close to the arts, Asheville is spot-on.

Small compared to the other cities on this list, Huntsville may feel like an unexpected contender. The once-sleepy town made its mark in the 1960s during the space race, but continues to draw engineers at both NASA and the US Army's Redstone Arsenal. Today, the city is in the midst of yet another renaissance thanks to an influx of tech companies, craft breweries, and artists. As the fastest growing city in the state of Alabama, the downtown scene is also flourishing with new shops and restaurants—without the high cost of living found in fellow cities of its caliber.

As a mecca for nature lovers, Boulder is home to stunning scenery, an absurd number of hiking trails, and great access to skiing. But the core of this city’s charm lies with its penchant for wellness—you'll find plenty of alternative medicine here, good vibes, and plenty of health-nuts and fitness enthusiasts who've made it an ideal place for active families and young professionals.

Situated in the triangle formed by Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham are often praised for their quality of life, excellent education system, and strong economy with a foundation in research and tech (IBM, SAS Institute Inc., and Cisco Systems are all based here). For work, there's a range of employment opportunities in education, aerospace, green energy, biotechnology, and manufacturing, but this place isn't all about the resume: during off-hours, a booming microbrewery and dining scene is off the hook.

Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a flourishing college town just 45 minutes from Detroit that's brimming with restaurants, bookstores, and more than 150 parks. With a well-educated population that prides itself on inclusivity, it’s a city built on an innovative, diverse economy that's particularly appealing for entrepreneurs. Millions of travelers visit each year to enjoy the eclectic shops, theaters, and wide assortment of tasty multi-cultural eats.

While cheese and curd are perhaps the first words that come to mind when considering food in Wisconsin, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that Madison offers a unique blend of fine dining and farmer’s markets to meet the demands of the city's young professionals, college students, and families. Madison also has a wide range of job opportunities in healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and, as the home of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, education.

Drive around leafy, tree-lined Portland and you're likely to spot the slogan "Keep Portland Weird." Yes, Portland embraces the weird and wonderful, but the green city still keeps its wits: the city's population holds far more academic degrees than the national average. You might call Portland weirdly educated, which makes it a rather smart place to live in our book. It's no wonder employers like Nike and Intel Corporation call Portland home—this place has brains and natural beauty.

Cozied up against the Ozark Mountains and also home to the University of Arkansas' flagship campus, Fayetteville is a charming small town that has evolved into a center for culture, education, entrepreneurship, and commerce. Home to the headquarters of seven Fortune 500 companies, there’s an abundance of jobs in town at major brands like Tyson Foods and Walmart.

We know what you're thinking: Colorado again? What can we say? The Centennial State just happens to tick a lot of boxes. Colorado Springs, just an hour’s drive from Denver and close to world-class ski resorts like Aspen and Vail, is another city that’s booming in 2022. Luckily, a fresh crop of new homes continues to pop up by schools, parks, and cultural attractions to meet demand. While much of the economy and culture is driven by military jobs, there are also openings in tech and the medical industry.

Austin is now such a desirable city to live in that homes are scooped up faster than they can be listed. In 2020, a report from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that Austin was growing at a rate of 168 new residents per day. While over 50% are from other parts of the state, Californians make up 8%, followed by transplants from New York and Florida. Why is Austin such a hotspot? With a thriving music scene, beautiful outdoor spaces with hiking trails, a range of cultural institutions, and a growing reputation as “Silicon Hills” (Austin is one of the top venture capital cities in America), it has pretty much anything you could ever want.

Knoxville, Tennesee, drips with southern charm and basks in the warmth of sunny summers and mild winters. Playing host to the University of Tennessee and the headquarters of HGTV and AC Entertainment, the city is equal parts a center for Southern football as well as a creative hub. And, thanks to a relatively diverse population (which includes international students and faculty) and an affordable high standard of living, the food scene is diverse and delicious.