Grand Rapids is 13th ‘Best Place to Live’ in US

Grand Rapids is 13th ‘Best Place to Live’ in US

A view of Grand Rapids' skyline from the West Side. Courtesy Experience Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids has once again achieved the honor of being one of the “best” places in the country.

U.S. News & World Report yesterday published its 2019 ranking of the “125 Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” and the Grand Rapids metro ranks No. 13.

U.S. News’ post on Grand Rapids says the area is attracting college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing and outdoor recreational activities.

“From the doctors and nurses working in the region's booming health care industry to the strong LGBT community that hosts the much-feted annual Grand Rapids Pride event, to the numerous artists and musicians, the region is home to people from all walks of life,” the post says.

The Grand Rapids area has a median home price of $181,533, a median monthly rent of $826, an average annual salary of $44,770 and a 3.1% unemployment rate, according to U.S. News.

U.S. News analyzed the 125 most populous metros and ranked them based on desirability, value, job market, quality of life and net migration.

Top 10 “Best Places to Live in the U.S.”

1.   Austin, Texas
2.   Denver
3.   Colorado Springs, Colorado
4.   Fayetteville, Arkansas
5.   Des Moines, Iowa
6.   Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
7.   San Francisco
8.   Portland, Oregon
9.   Seattle
10. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina