Where is the BEST place in America to live? For a typical middle class family?

Short answer is West Chester, Pennsylvania.

West Chester is a suburb of Philadelphia. We have a quaint borough with a mixture of gentleman's farms and suburbs. quality school system. Pretty strong running community, college town. But running trails are not overly impressive.

Weather will reach negative temps (including wind chill) maybe 8-20 days per year and hit above 90 maybe 10 times per summer. Good distinct seasons.

East Oakland

Richmond/Vallejo

Compton/Watts

Modesto/Stockton

Riverside

Tenderloin/Hunter's Point

You don't say anything about weather. Assuming that you like a milder climate in the winter, consider California. Practical cost of living would eliminate a lot of the coastal areas--most are very pricey. I am from the Sacramento area - specifically El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Rocklin still have manageable costs of living as compared to the coastal areas of CA. Schools are excellent if that matters to you. The American River Bike Trail is a gem and is frequented by bikers and runners alike. You have the CA International Marathon each year and boating/hiking activities are plentiful. Plus Lake Tahoe is about 2 1/2 hrs away for skiing. I'm sure you'll get lots of input on your question - good luck.

San Diego is awesome depending on what "practical" means for you.

I think you can live comfortably with an income of $80k.

Toronto

Sacramento area is a good choice.

Moraga, Orinda, or Lafayette, California. Beautiful trails, exceptional weather, amazing natural beauty, great public schools, awesome community, incredibly safe, and less than 20 minutes from San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland. Only problems are fairly expensive housing prices and somewhat high cost of living.

adelmann wrote:

Sacramento area is a good choice.

You must be kidding.

Wherever in Ohio that Flagpole and his family live. Cost of living is lower, yet amenities are "good enough".

As far as safety, convenience, schools- Endwell, NY

I know we have to put up with NY State taxes and that evil Cuomo guy.

I live in the middle of town- the streets are safe- my daughter used to go out running at 9:00 pm alone.

Restaurants very close by, family style "pubs", I have two grocery stores inside of 3 miles.

The school district is amazing, mid sized, with great opportunities for sports, music, art, education.

lamorinda-boy wrote:

Moraga, Orinda, or Lafayette, California. Beautiful trails, exceptional weather, amazing natural beauty, great public schools, awesome community, incredibly safe, and less than 20 minutes from San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland. Only problems are fairly expensive housing prices and somewhat high cost of living.

Yes, Lamorinda is close to ideal for families, for all of the amenities you mentioned. However, I would not say housing prices are "fairly expensive" except in comparison to other East Bay communities.

People coming to the Bay Area from other parts of the country will be blown away by the housing market. Realistically, you will not find a decent 3-4 bed home in Lamorinda for much under a $million, unless it is a fixer-upper.

For a comfortable lifestyle, you need to avoid California.

I have tried it with three kids and a wife, and you just can't have the American dream (4b/3b house, cars, vacation) in California. As a guy that makes $200K, that got me nothing in Alameda and Carlsbad areas. Unless you inherit a property or want to spend a life renting and/or in over your head, you need to think about the midwest, south, or east coast (non-NYC or DC).

Cincinnati. Far and away the most beautiful city in the Midwest (except maybe Madison) and extremely affordable.

Lots of great jobs moving into downtown, tons of money being poured in city parks. Running/biking trails are still spotty, but being built left and right. The downside is not being on one of the coasts, but still only a 10 hour drive from NYC.

Renting/buying a house is so cheap, even around downtown, that you'll have lots of money left over for entertainment and travel. Also, little to no traffic and very mild winters by Midwest standards. Summers are a little muggy, but not unbearable.

And, if you're into hills, Cincinnati is perfect.

Roagna wrote:

For a comfortable lifestyle, you need to avoid California.

I have tried it with three kids and a wife, and you just can't have the American dream (4b/3b house, cars, vacation) in California. As a guy that makes $200K, that got me nothing in Alameda and Carlsbad areas. Unless you inherit a property or want to spend a life renting and/or in over your head, you need to think about the midwest, south, or east coast (non-NYC or DC).

anyone find it ironic that the most liberal (modern day definition) state in the US is the hardest to live a middle class lifestyle?

My parents basement.

Carmel, Indiana

Not Seattle.

observer of things wrote:

anyone find it ironic that the most liberal (modern day definition) state in the US is the hardest to live a middle class lifestyle?

I don't find it ironic.

observer of things wrote:

Roagna wrote:

For a comfortable lifestyle, you need to avoid California.

I have tried it with three kids and a wife, and you just can't have the American dream (4b/3b house, cars, vacation) in California. As a guy that makes $200K, that got me nothing in Alameda and Carlsbad areas. Unless you inherit a property or want to spend a life renting and/or in over your head, you need to think about the midwest, south, or east coast (non-NYC or DC).

anyone find it ironic that the most liberal (modern day definition) state in the US is the hardest to live a middle class lifestyle?

It's not terribly ironic. Lots of people want to live there so demand drives up housing costs.