Best Quality of Life In U.S.: Ann Arbor Named Top Place
When making decisions on where to live many people go after places that offer a better quality of life. U.S. News and World Report has just released its ranking of the top 25 U.S. cities that offer the highest quality of life. The list is based on several factors, including crime rates, educational quality, general well-being, commuter indices, healthcare availability, air quality, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index, and more.
The report offers valuable insights for people contemplating relocation, looking to visit a top-notch destination, or simply curious about how their city compares to others.
Best Quality of Life Found in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is at the top of their list with the best quality of life. Overall, the city scored a 7.9 out of 10. “Ann Arbor is a city of contrasts. It is at once rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society,” says U.S. News and World Report.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the University of Michigan contributes to the local community by bringing a lively cultural and educational atmosphere to the area. Residents have access to various outdoor activities, a diverse cultural scene, and many job opportunities. Ann Arbor’s cost of living and property values, as noted by U.S. News and World Report, exceed the national average, highlighting its appeal and economic strength.
Grand Rapids also made the list at number 14. The city scored 6.6 out of 10. “Grand Rapids has an affinity for public art, and its craft brewery scene is one of the best in the nation,” they said. The ranking noted that the area attracts college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing, and outdoor recreational activities.
Following behind Ann Arbor are Boulder, Colorado, and Madison Wisconsin. It’s worth mentioning that not all small cities are on the list. New York, one of the largest metropolitan areas, made the list at 25. Despite its cost of living and large population, “people keep coming.” said the outlet.
Many of the cities on the list offer a mix of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and culture. They also seem to be cities that are home to major universities.
See how other cities ranked by checking out the complete list here.
Best Moments from the Michigan vs. Washington Championship Game
I wonder if my University of Michigan friends got any sleep last night. It’s got to be thrilling to see their team win a National Championship for the first time in decades plus have the Detroit Lions in the playoffs. Sure, I’m a little jelly, since I’m a Michigan State Spartan. But, I’m happy for my Wolverine friends and family. You guys played a great season and game against Washington. Let’s relive the magic with some of the best moments from the Michigan vs. Washington National Championship game.
While the Washington Huskies played their hears out, this game became lopsided at the end, with the Wolverines being victorious, 34-13. The first half of the game was much more even. I wasn’t even sure what was going to win going into the half. But, the final quarter really showed the strength of this Michigan team. Congratulations to Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. They’re are the 2024 National Championship winners.
The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship took place on Monday (Jan. 8), and it made for a late night. These are the days when I miss coffee. The game had No. 1 Michigan going up against No. 2 Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston. Michigan’s win marked their first national title since back in 1997. As for Washington, if they had won this game, it would have marked their first national title since 1991. Michigan got to the National Championship thanks to a close 27-20 overtime win over No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal. Washington got to this national title game following a 37-31 win over No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
Now that’s we’ve gone through the numbers, let’s get into some of the best moments from this game. This showing is something Wolverine fans are going to want to savor for a long time. I don’t blame them. Maybe with Michigan State’s new head coach, we’ll get some moments like this coming up.
Best Moments from the Michigan vs. Washington National Championship:
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.