UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
| liv score 712 How We Calculate Our Data |
|
|---|---|
| Civics | 42 |
| Demographics | 65 |
| Economy | 62 |
| Education | 60 |
| Health | 63 |
| Housing | 47 |
| Infrastructure | 40 |
#25. Durham, NC
Durham, NC manages to strike the perfect balance between preserving its history and charging forward into the future. With an entrepreneurial and business-friendly economy, a thriving food and beverage scene, and a rich arts and culture community, Durham’s 280,000 residents never run out of things to do in this great place to live. And with world-class research and care underway every day at Duke University and Duke University Health System, Durham residents are always innovating and working to make the world a better place.
Top Colleges/Universities: Duke University, Durham Technical Community College & North Carolina Central University
Top Industries & Employers: Duke University, IBM, Fidelity Investments and Cree Inc. are some of the region’s largest employers.
Weekend Plans: Hit up the more than 65 vendors at the Durham Farmers Market, then stick around Durham Central Park for a yoga class, children’s event or a free PLAYlist concert.
Favorite Place to Feast: Saltbox Seafood Joint, helmed by James Beard-nominated chef Ricky Moore. Locals love the “Hush-Honeys,” which are fried, honey-glazed cornmeal fritters.
Beloved Beverage: The gin and tonic at Alley Twenty Six, which makes and bottles its tonic syrup that you can also use to stock your at-home cocktail bar.
Outdoorsy Activity: Explore the American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile repurposed railroad corridor that’s accessible on foot, on wheels (bikes and rollerblades!) and on horseback.
Rooftop Bar: The Patio at the Unscripted Durham hotel, a ‘grammable rooftop bar with small plates, a pool and epic sunset views.
Why Your Pet Will Love It, Too: She’ll love being spoiled by the staff at Durham’s many pet boutiques and bakeries (yes, bakeries!), including Oliver’s Collar and Other End of the Leash.
Remote Work Perk: Need a change of scenery and a little creativity boost? Grab your laptop and head to one of Durham’s many craft breweries, like Fullsteam Brewery or Ponysaurus Brewing Company.
One More Thing … Durham earned the nickname “City of Medicine” for more than 300 health and medical businesses and organizations. All told, health care is a massive industry for Durham, providing jobs for thousands of people and paying out roughly $1.2 billion in payroll each year.
– Sarah Kuta
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