Life Is Better Near the Water – And These Cities Prove It
Any parent of a fussy toddler will tell you that “just add water” is an effective, foolproof parenting hack: run a bath, turn on the backyard sprinkler or pour them a cold glass and watch their mood magically shift.
That same magic applies to adults. It is virtually impossible to deny the calming and joy-inducing psychological benefits of a dip in a lake, a walk by the beach or a morning paddleboard session before work. Just taking in the view from a dock or a waterside restaurant can soothe our nervous systems and engage our senses.
If “just adding water” can change our moods, can living in a waterfront city change your life? In many ways, yes.
“People don’t always realize how much the lake shapes our lifestyle,” says Sara Greicius, director of the Cleveland Talent Alliance. “Living in a lakefront city means having this incredible natural backdrop in everyday life. Lake Erie gives us dreamy views, peaceful places to unwind and endless opportunities to get outside.”
Below, explore a few more scientific reasons water makes life better – along with 8 incredible waterfront cities in the US that can quench your thirst.
In This Article
Scenic Cities
Proven Natural Mood Boosters
The scientific “biophilia hypothesis” states that humans have an innate drive and affinity to see, connect and interact with nature. That feeling of calm that washes over you when you gaze out at the ocean or lie on a riverbank? Some evolutionary biologists believe it’s a deep, biological need being met.
If just looking at a beautiful body of water lifts our spirits, these exceptionally scenic cities are proven mood boosters:
Burlington, Vermont
Situated on the eastern shores of beautiful Lake Champlain, Burlington offers residents and visitors stunning lake views as well as easy access to forests, public parks and other natural areas and green spaces. Here’s a challenge: just try to be in a bad mood while walking around Lake Champlain at sunset with a maple soft-serve cone in hand.
Carlsbad, California
The quintessential California beach scene (you know the one!) – palm trees, miles of white sandy beaches, surfers catching morning waves – is the reality of life in Carlsbad. Stunning Pacific Ocean views abound as do countless ways to embrace the city’s active, aquatic lifestyle year-round.
Let It Flow
The Community Power of Riverfront Cities
Riverfront cities are great places to live for many reasons. They often have long histories of commerce and growth as well as modernized river walks, scenic trails and plenty of outdoor events.
A river winding through a city means more people have more access to the sights and sounds of flowing water, which boosts overall community well-being. Check out a couple of our favorite cities that deliver the river:
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is built around Spokane Falls, the largest urban waterfall in the country. Residents can enjoy the roaring waters from the beautiful downtown riverwalk or the Monroe Street Bridge spanning it. Need even more water? Residents of Spokane also live within an hour’s drive of 76 (!!!) regional lakes.
Pueblo, Colorado
The Arkansas River runs through the heart of Pueblo, and residents make the most of it via the 32-acre Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, perfect for long walks and patio hangs. The city’s River Trail system adds more than 30 miles of paved running and biking trails to the equation. Plus, the newly revamped Waterworks Park features spots for swimming, tubing and kayaking.
Bigger Water, Fewer Worries
Ocean-Scale Living on a Midwest Budget
Another weirdly comforting human feeling that large bodies of water can evoke? Feeling small.
Looking out at the vast ocean or a massive lake can elicit an experience similar to looking up at the stars: suddenly your problems don’t seem quite so big.
🌊 Great Lakes Affordability Factor
Great Lakes cities offer miles of freshwater beaches, maritime culture and endless boating horizons – all while maintaining a cost of living significantly below similar coastal saltwater markets.
Looking for that expansive watery horizon without paying oceanfront prices? These Great Lakes cities offer vast inland seas and incredible affordability:
Cleveland, Ohio
Imagine a beach packed with families picnicking, waves lapping at the shore, paragliders swooping across the sky and water as far as your eyes can see. Would you be surprised to hear you’re envisioning a quintessential summer afternoon in Cleveland? It’s true. Whether you’re viewing it from the shore, a park trail or a kayak, Lake Erie is a magnificent – and massive – sight to behold.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If you’ve ever enjoyed a city beach or waterside walking path in Chicago, Milwaukee can offer you that exact same proximity to Lake Michigan for a fraction of the Windy City’s cost of living. Take in a sweeping view from one of Milwaukee’s many parks, swimming areas, lakefront trails or museums.
Dive Into an Active Lifestyle
Four Seasons of Aquatic Recreation
If you crave an active, outdoor-centric lifestyle, living near the water exponentially increases your sports and recreational opportunities. From boating to paddleboarding to kitesurfing to swimming, these cities embrace aquatic activities in all seasons:
Tampa, Florida
With the Hillsborough River running right through the heart of downtown and beautiful bays extending to the south and east, Tampa residents have no shortage of opportunities for a riverside jog, lunch-hour paddleboard session or a sunset kayak excursion. The beautiful year-round weather certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
Madison, Wisconsin
Residents of Madison (which has been crowned one of the Best Places to Live in America by Livability multiple times) pride themselves on embracing an active lifestyle all year round. The city is located on an isthmus between Lakes Monona and Mendota, and many of Madison’s activities make good use of the wide waters. You’ll see swimmers, rowing teams and kayakers gliding across the water, and mountain bikers, trail runners and snowshoers enjoying the views from on land.
📬 Where to Next?
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