Three Georgia cities make the top 100 best places to live in the US
As most of us already know, Georgia is a pretty cool place to live, and now the rest of the country will know it too.
Three cities (and one very close neighbor) have made Livability’s list of Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. The list focuses on small to mid-sized cities where quality of life, affordability and opportunity intersect.
How the list is made
The list is crafted in partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions, analyzing over 2,000 U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 and median home values under $500,000.
Livability’s annual ranking is built on nearly 100 data points, covering eight key categories:
economy
housing and cost of living
amenities
transportation
environment
safety
education
health
The “LivScore” is out of 1,000 and “essentially grades a city based on its performance across the prescribed categories.”
These cities are among the best places to live.
Roswell, Georgia
Just an hour outside of Atlanta, Livability describes it as having, “historic charm, scenic beauty and modern conveniences.” It also has award-winning schools and a really strong sense of community.
LivScore: 838
Population: 88,964
Median home value: $485,018
Athens, Georgia
Another college town on the list, Livability notes its school pride, but also its “thriving music scene.” Brimming with historic architecture, it epitomizes Southern charm and creative expression.
LivScore: 649
Population: 129,386
Median home value: $258,778
Augusta, Georgia
Known for hosting the Masters Gold Tournament, this town, says Livibility, is “a great place to live with affordable housing, excellent schools and beautiful parks along the Savannah River.”
Liv Score: 633
Population: 201,970
Median home value: $163,376
Auburn, Alabama
Although not technically a Georgia city, its close proximity to the state line makes it well worth the mention.
Livability highlights Auburn’s arts and culture scene, diverse population and the infectious spirit that comes with living near Auburn University.
LivScore: 666
Population: 80,478
Median home value: $318,639
Although Columbus didn’t make it on the 100 best list, it did make it to the “best places to live in Georgia” list. The Livability website describes it as as a booming city, “With affordable homes priced well below the national average, a strong economy that draws in businesses across various sectors, and more than enough events to fill your social calendar, Columbus, Ga., is hands-down one of the top places to live.”
Have you had a fun time in any of these Georgia cities? Email me your stories at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
