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Best Cities To Live In For Young Families

Best Cities To Live In For Young Families
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Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to move in 2021. Now, the search for not only the best place to live but the absolute best place to raise your family begins. Not to worry, we’ve conducted thorough research to provide you with the top 5 places in the U.S. for young families to raise their little ones. The following cities are rated based on affordability, school systems, crime rates, and other key statistics. Read on to discover the best places to live for young families in 2021!
  1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
  2. Boston, Massachusetts
  3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  4. Des Moines, Iowa
  5. Green Bay, Wisconsin
2020 has been an eventful year, to say the least. Millennials are officially the leading generation in homeownership, and many said the pandemic pushed them into purchasing homes earlier than they had planned to do so. To recap, in 2020, the United States saw historically low mortgage rates, and with the occurrence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, many rushed from big cities to suburbs, taking the opportunity to buy a larger, more spacious home in a more affordable area. The only problem with this is the increasing demand for homes now outweighs the actual number of homes on the market. Though contractors plan to increase the number of new builds, new construction homes can be expensive for buyers. A lumber shortage has also increased lumber prices by 200% since April 2020. This led to an average unexpected price increase of $24,000 for new homes in the past year, according to HousingWire.

Median Age of Residents in Top 5 Cities for Young Families

CityMedian Age
Ann Arbor, Michigan28
Boston, Massachusetts32
Colorado Springs, Colorado35
Des Moines, Iowa34
Green Bay, Wisconsin34

According to the latest research, the following cities are dominated by millennials. Ann Arbor is ranked among cities with the youngest median age group. This is no surprise, as this generation are the new leaders of the business world. In addition to many employment opportunities, the cities detailed below offer low crime rates and amazing education, truly making these places the best place to raise a young family in 2021.

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor Michigan
  • Population: 118,087
  • Home Prices: $250,200 median purchase price; $1,114 median monthly rent
  • Median Household Income: $57,697
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of U.S. cities

When moving with children, one of the first things to consider is how good the school system is. Ann Arbor is home to the world-class University of Michigan and features amazing public schools such as Honey Creek Community School and National Blue Ribbon award-winning community high school. Though the population is growing, Ann Arbor still offers a small-town vibe for its residents, mainly because of the dozens of parks and tree-lined streets. You won’t find any shortage of family activities in Ann Arbor! The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum invites kids to learn about science using all five senses and invites parents and older kids to join in too! Affordable home prices and low crime rates are icing on the cake when it comes to this lovely place!

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Massachusetts
  • Population: 658,279
  • Home Prices: $423,200 median purchase price; $1,369 median monthly rent
  • Median Household Income:  $58,516
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 14% of U.S. cities

Boston is one of the safest cities to live in in the U.S. In addition to well-rated public schools such as Eliot K-8 Innovation School and Boston Latin School, the city has plenty of fun things to do for families, like Franklin Park Zoo, where kids and adults can learn about exotic wildlife. Older children will also appreciate living in Boston as well, as the city has tons of higher education opportunities with leading research institutes such as Boston University and Ivy League school Harvard University. Boston is such a vibrant and diverse coastal city with cultural opportunities and access to the best healthcare, perfect for young families to call home!

3. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs Colorado
  • Population: 448,759
  • Home Prices: $222,100 median purchase price; $958 median monthly rent
  • Median Household Income: $56,227
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities

Colorado Springs is ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone else seeking a high quality of life in the beautiful mountains. Colorado Springs may not be as big as Denver, but it’s 12% more affordable and considerably safer than Denver. The low cost of living is not the only thing families consider when moving to Colorado Springs, as this city features an outstanding education system, with 51 public schools and 29 private schools giving you plenty of options to choose from. Some of the amazing schools include Broadmoor Elementary, Discovery Canyon Middle School, and the Classical Academy High School that provide engaging and purpose-driven education for local children. Meanwhile, parents will enjoy the strong job market and affordable real estate. Breathtaking scenery and high quality of life are why Colorado Springs is on our top 5 list of best places to raise a young family!

 

4. Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines Iowa
  • Population: 212,859
  • Home Prices: $119,800 median purchase price; $775 median monthly rent
  • Median Household Income: $48,088
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 6% of U.S. cities

Des Moines is a relatively small place, but with tons to offer. Iowa’s capital is one of the most affordable cities to live in in 2021 and recognized as one of the safest places in the U.S. – two crucial factors that make this one of the best places to raise a family. Parents with all-aged children find Des Moines a fun place to live and enjoy activities like engaging with the performing arts scene, visiting the interactive Children’s Museum, and the unique downtown district that holds events like the Downtown Farmers Market. Plus, there’s an abundance of green spaces everywhere, such as John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Schools are also a big attraction for families moving to the Midwest, with institutions like Downtown School and Merrill Middle School offering high-quality education.

5. Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Population: 104,951
  • Home Prices: $125,100 median purchase price; $667 median monthly rent
  • Median Household Income: $43,473
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 22% of U.S. cities

If you are a Green Bay Packers fan, you’ve found your new home! In addition to the thriving sports scene, this small Wisconsin city has much more to offer! Thanks to its low cost of living, low crime rates, and many great public schools, including McArthur Elementary, Aldo Leopold Community School, and John Dewey Academy of Learning, Green Bay meets all of the requirements to be one of the best places to raise a family. Colburn Park, Bay Beach Sanctuary, and the city’s many other outdoor spots offer active families a chance to spend lots of time in the fresh air. Annual festivals hosted in Green Bay, such as FIT Fest and Festival of Lights, will never leave families residing here without entertainment options.

 

In Conclusion…

When searching for the best place to raise a family in 2021, you want to seek a city that is affordable, offers the best education, features low crime rates, and has an abundance of employment opportunities. It’s also important to include emotional factors in your search. For example, you might want to move close to your family or seek out an area with an industry that excites you! 

Whichever city you choose to be the best for your family, Zip Moving & Storage can assure a smooth transition for your new start. The most important part of raising a family is sharing unique experiences together, enriching each other’s lives, and creating lasting memories.

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