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

Rochester, NY

Good running/racing, lots of trails, great running, biking, skiing communities. The city offers a good blend of arts and sports (albeit minor league). Nice recreation with Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. Low cost of living and last, but surely not least, Wegmans.

Chapel Hill is very nice. Excellent public schools, UNC, 2.5 hours to beach or mountains. Low crime rate and a great food /coffee house/craft beer scene. Plenty of running trails and great cycling as well. Great place to raise a family with a lot of soccer and other sports leagues for kids, as well as cultural amenities.

Thanks! I'm going to move now. Which has the better beaches -- Fresno or Bakersfield?

I think Minneapolis/St. Paul (or perhaps some of the surrounding suburbs if that's is more your cup of tea) would be a great option. I'm certainly biased because I have a lot of family there, but if I could ever convince my wife to leave the northeast, I would move here in a heartbeat. Certainly checks all of your boxes.

I might also take a hard look at Boise, ID. Fits your criteria well I think. Only thing I'm less sure of re: Boise is public school quality, assuming you have/want kids. Schools are good in MSP, but I'm not sure about Boise.

Anyway, good luck with the move.

did someone really say memphis?

Murder capital of the south.

West Chester, Ohio

Grand Rapids, MI

Great schools, affordable, food, BEER CITY, USA, beaches, great minor league hockey/baseball team (2.5 hours from Detroit if you need pro sports), trails, fit community.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45gihi/no-1-grand-rapids-michigan/

Don't know about Rochester, but Wegmans is awesome.

Don't overlook Massachusetts.

People will complain about "ma*sholes" but in general, the majority of people are just fine.

Amazing running trails, Massachusetts is the best state in the entire country in terms of public education, and if you live here, live in Essex, middlesex, suffolk and the surrounding counties, western mass is not worth it.

cool kid wrote:

Don't overlook Massachusetts.

People will complain about "ma*sholes" but in general, the majority of people are just fine.

Amazing running trails, Massachusetts is the best state in the entire country in terms of public education, and if you live here, live in Essex, middlesex, suffolk and the surrounding counties, western mass is not worth it.

You have some good points, but I would still vote NO on MA. I lived in Boston for 7 years and moved away this spring. First, the pros: Educational opportunities are great (private) and can be very good (public) if you live in the right area. Not all public schools are great. You have to be selective. People are generally very cool - not butt-kissing nice, but when you get to know them they are very genuine. Lots of history and tradition which I enjoyed. The city loves sports. Recreational, cultural, and excellent dining opportunities are prevalent. There is a VERY strong running community. Now the cons: Expensive!! The majority of the housing stock is very old - residential central AC is the exception, not the rule. The weather is horrendous - cold as balls in the winter, humid in the summer. Transportation is awful - the roads are narrow, one ways, dead-ends, etc. Public transport (commuter rail and the T) can be undependable which made my work commute a total joy (not). Food is pricey and produce is of terrible quality (short growing season means it's trucked in unripe and has to ripen in the store - ugh). Liquor is only sold in liquor stores or "packies", which is inconvenient. No happy hour - against the law! For all the good points of Massachusetts, specifically Boston, I would not recommend it.

Try Stockton. The members of the "culture of open minded people" will be glad to mug you for meth money,