2017 Top 100 Best Places To Live

Courtesy of Josh Banks.

1
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Rochester, MN

Population: 121,137

Four-time recipient of the Best Places to Live honor, Rochester earned the top spot for the second year in a row due to high scores for its health-care scene and a diverse range of affordable housing.

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Courtesy of Alan Light under a CC 2.0 license.

2
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Iowa City, IA

Population: 78,179

Home to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes as well as Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City features a college-town atmosphere with big-city cultural events that are attractive to both locals and students.

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Courtesy of Nekonomist under a CC 4.0 license.

3
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Ann Arbor, MI

Population: 122,982

Known largely for its 40,000-student University of Michigan flagship campus, Ann Arbor is a city that also houses two of the nation’s top hospitals – St.

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Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau

4
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Olympia, WA

Population: 54,148

As the capital of Washington, Olympia’s major employers are state and local government.

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Courtesy of Bob Mical under a CC 2.0 license.

5
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Charlottesville, VA

Population: 49,262

Nicknamed C’ville, Charlottesville is home to Thomas Jefferson’s famed Monticello residence as well as the University of Virginia, and the city is graced with many impressive historic buildings.

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Visit Bellevue, WA

6
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Bellevue, WA

Population: 148,986

Across Lake Washington from Seattle and French for “beautiful view” is Bellevue, which has appeared on the Best Places to Live list four consecutive years and features some of the best public schools in America (along with Bellevue College).

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Matt Carmichael

7
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Palo Alto, CA

Population: 69

In the heart of Silicon Valley is Palo Alto, a city near Stanford University and home to numerous cutting-edge technology companies.

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City of Madison

8
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Madison, WI

Population: 262,418

One of the top bicycling cities in America is Madison, primarily known as home to the University of Wisconsin – one of the top research universities in the world.

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Doug Stremel

9
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Overland Park, KS

Population: 195,920

Considered an excellent city for young families, Overland Park is a four-time Best Places to Live recipient thanks in large part to great schools, low crime, multiple shopping choices, many independent restaurants and more than 85 community parks.

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Courtesy of Onasill Bill Badzo under a CC 2.0 license.

10
2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Bismarck, ND

Population: 71,750

More than 80 miles of trails grace Bismarck, a fast-growing city on the Missouri River that offers plenty for people who enjoy active lifestyles and the outdoors.

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