There are a number of factors to take into consideration when moving with your family (or solo) to a new city. For example, you might have to decide between settling in an area with plenty of job opportunities and living in a less economically viable city with affordable housing. Buying a home near an art museum, music venue or theater may be important to you. Or maybe you want the best of both worlds: the benefits of living in a big city and access to the great outdoors.
The city you move to should meet your needs and offer a high quality of life. Whether your top priority is saving money or living somewhere with a vibrant art scene, here are some of the best places to buy a home.
The most bang for your buck
1. San Jose, California
The cost of daily goods and services in San Jose (including housing) is almost 60% higher than the national average. However, as the big city with the highest average salary ($116,000) which is $27,000 higher than the next best, nationally, San Jose winds up with the highest adjusted paycheck in the nation at $68,485 (San Jose home insurance is pretty affordable too).
Its proximity to San Francisco, incredible beaches and the Santa Cruz shoreline make San Jose a great place to live. And with its high cost of living mitigated by many well-paying jobs in Silicon Valley, San Jose is a front runner for homebuyers trying to stretch the dollars they earn.
2. Most Anywhere, Indiana
Many cities in Indiana are affordable for homebuyers. In places like Evansville and Indianapolis, for example, median home prices are lower than they are across the state. Overall, the median price per square foot in Indiana is $86. On a $300,000 budget, that means you could buy a 3,488-square-foot house.
Not only is the Hoosier State one of the cheapest places to live, but it also has some of the country’s fastest-growing cities and towns. Unemployment is low and according to the Tax Foundation, Indiana is one of the most tax-friendly states.
3. Gulfport, Mississippi
For the second year in a row, Gulfport tops SmartAsset’s list of most affordable beach towns. If you’re looking for relatively cheap beachfront property, look no further.
Gulfport is renowned for its long beach on the Mississippi Sound and active marine life in the waters around Ship Island. The city’s low median home value ($159,000) coupled with its low property tax burden ($938) should make it extremely attractive to frugal homebuyers. Ready to make the move? Learn more about home insurance in Mississippi with our guide.
Top cities for art and music lovers
1. Santa Fe, New Mexico
You can easily be overwhelmed by the abundance of galleries lining the central plaza and side streets in Santa Fe. After all, it’s a mecca for the arts. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is downtown’s centerpiece. In addition to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and San Miguel Mission, residents and visitors can enjoy “Museum Hill,” an area where many of the city’s major art museums are located.
While its cost of living is 8% higher than the national average, with more than 250 galleries, Santa Fe is the perfect city for lovers of art and culture. Learn more about New Mexico Homeowners Insurance with our guide.
2. Nashville, Tennessee
There’s a reason why Nashville is called the Music City. The Grand Ole Opry, a Nashville institution, is an annual country music concert frequented by stars like Blake Shelton. Not solely a country music scene, Nashville is also home to acts such as the Black Keys, Paramore and Kings of Leon. With an ever-evolving indie scene emerging in East Nashville, tried and true national acts like Meat Loaf and the Shins can still be seen at the Ryman Auditorium.
Nashville recently ranked as one of the best places to live, according to U.S News & World Report. The city’s median home value is $240,100. Home values have gone up 13% over the past year and they’re expected to climb by 3.6% within the next 12 months. And Nashville home insurance comes in at $1,997 per year.
3. Washington, D.C.
No wonder children from around the country visit Washington D.C. It’s steeped in culture and American history. You could spend a full day touring the museums. If you need to go further than your feet can carry you, there is an extensive public transportation system.
In D.C., you’ll never run out of sites to visit. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is a good place to check out. Or stop by the Renwick Gallery or the National Portrait Gallery where you’ll see the faces of America’s forefathers. Plus, home insurance in Washington D.C. is only $1,076.
Top cities for outdoor enthusiasts
1. Portland, Oregon
Portland ranks as one of the best places for outdoor enthusiasts. As Business Insider notes, Portland’s Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the country and covers an impressive 5,157 acres. The park offers more than 80 miles of forest roads, trails and fire lanes. You’ll also have access to Mt. Hood, a popular winter sports destination located 90 minutes away from Portland by car. Visitors can ski and snowboard year-round and camp and hike in warmer seasons.
According to Zillow, the median listing price in Portland is $405,500. From 2016 to 2017, home prices rose just 0.8%. So if you’re clamoring for a city with access to the great outdoors, you might land a great deal on a home in the City of Roses.
2. Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado lies at 5,000 feet and is a gateway to the Rockies. Nestled between the mountains and Denver, the forests and Flatirons (five, large rock formations ranging from north to south along the eastern slope of Green Mountain) are literally in your backyard. The city is near the Rocky Mountain National Park and is just 21 miles away from the Eldora Mountain Resort, where you can go skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. There’s even a local bus that runs from Boulder that will drop you right in front of the main lodge.
The average cost of living in Boulder is 43% higher than the national average. That means you may have to pay to play. Ready to take the plunge? Learn more about homeowners insurance in Colorado or Colorado Springs.
3. Seattle, Washington
Seattle ranks as the best place to live if you love the outdoors on a list produced by Business Insider. In your free time, you can explore one of the many urban parks, including Gas Works, Discovery Park and Green Lake. These parks offer various activities including kayaking, sailing, picnicking and bicycling. There are also cultural must-sees like the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Woodland Park Zoo.
An endless supply of trails and waterways (ideal for sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding) give residents easy access to nature’s playground, with several tour companies ready to take visitors and locals on adventures around the city.
Day trips from Seattle can also be enticing. In 24 hours, you could check out Mount Rainier, Mount Baker or Mount St. Helens.
In the Seattle area, home prices continue to rise and competition among homebuyers is steep. Seattle is roughly 24% more expensive than the average city, but if it sounds like the perfect place to move to, you’ll be in good company.
Have questions about the right way to move or how to retain a homeowners insurance policy in your area? Contact a Hippo specialist. We’re here to help!
