Boulder, Colorado

Boulder recently topped the U.S. News & World Report list of best places to live. Whether you are buying a house without a realtor or you send a professional out to find your next home, you won't find many duds in Boulder. This college town, home of the University of Colorado, exudes the traditional small-town vibe that Denver lacks. It's compact and walkable. Its location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains gives it a rural, natural vibe while still maintaining the convenience of city living. The scenic territory is one reason why people who love the outdoors flock to the city. Whether you want easy access to ski resorts or want to walk out your door and be able to hike, climb or cycle, you'll find it in Boulder. The state's progressive policy on marijuana is another draw for many.

The Woodlands, Texas

The Woodlands, Texas is Travel + Leisure's top pick of places to live in the U.S. This master-planned community is a distant inland suburb of Houston known for its great public schools and open park spaces. Unlike Boulder, residents of The Woodlands tend to be more conservative, so if goat yoga and a joint doesn't sound like a good time to you, this may be a better alternative. Residents love all the outdoor activities available, from live music to playgrounds. There's an even spread of ages, so there's something for the youngest to the oldest. Some complaints were the lack of ethnic diversity and no public transportation. The Woodlands is less a place to find wealth than to enjoy what you already have.

Austin, Texas

If The Woodlands sounds a little staid to you, set your sights westward to Austin, the Texas capital. Austin has a reputation as an outlier in the generally conservative Southern state, having more in common with Portland than Dallas. Home of the South by Southwest festival and Austin City Limits, the music series that has been running over 45 years, Austin is the place to be for great live music in a plethora of genres. It's also a big draw for tech startups. Combine its culture and job opportunities with a relatively low cost-of-living and it's no wonder that Austin welcomes 150 new residents every day.

Indianapolis, Indiana

According to Good Housekeeping, the best place to live in the U.S. for first-time homebuyers is in the heart of the midwest at Indianapolis. Homes are affordable and available. The city has an economy based in healthcare and technology and it's got a low cost of living. Indy also maintains an unemployment rate under 5%. The metro area hosts about 2 million residents, making it one of the largest cities in the U.S. but residents will tell you that it still has a small-town feel. The city has a widely diverse population and it's a young population, with more than a third under the age of 25.   

Raleigh, North Carolina

Finally, Bankrate.com ranks Raleigh at the top of its list of best places to live based on its job market and safety. Another city known for its affordability, Raleigh definitely wins the battle of decent weather over Indianapolis. The weather rarely drops below 20 degrees in winter or above 95 in summer, although like the rest of the South, it has a constant battle with humidity. The city has a well-established food scene that combines the low country food of the Carolinas with traditional Southern cuisine.

Take your pick. Each of these cities ranked number one but each for its own reasons. You'll find one that you'll think is best too.

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