


Cities are dynamic centers for young people, who seek lively nightlife. Within large cities, one often finds neighborhoods that deliver the comfort of a small town community. People are willing to pay more to live in cities for the wealth of benefits they typically offer-cultural attractions, quality health care and social activities. Broader measures of both cost of living and quality of life are needed. So what makes a city one of the best places to live? Cost of living is key, and house prices are usually the largest component of a household budget, but the housing market cuts both ways: While people want quality affordable homes, soaring real estate prices are a kind of hard proof that a city is attracting residents.

Some cities are great to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.
