All you have to do is select which one sounds like a better place to live, and we'll figure out the rest. Just 25 miles west of the Windy Citys loop, Downers Grove, IL, has its own collection of unique offerings. This Wisconsin village sits close to downtown Milwaukee. - Population: 7,978 Additionally, residents have access to a park system made up of 83 individual parks, making it easy to hike, bike or blade around the city. - Median household income: $87,433. Keith Rothfus had one mission when he introduced Ron DeSantis at an event earlier this month: Convince the audience that a governor from Florida one born and raised in the Sunshine State was really a Midwesterner at heart. - Median rent: $1,350 (3% rent) A western suburb of Chicago, Naperville, IL, is a growing oasis where big-city attractions think a diverse cuisine scene, performing arts venues, various shops, family-friendly spaces and a thriving nightlife meld with small-town magic. The city is home to nine unique business districts, and the downtown area boasts an impressive arts scene, great food and drink options, fun community events, a slew of shops and more. Milwaukee suburb Brookfield offers particular economic access to major companies, while lying outside of the Wisconsin city's downtown area. But which is the best for you ?! - Population: 9,224 And when it comes to dining lets just say your taste buds will sing. The nearly 425,000 plus residents who call Minneapolis home get to enjoy the good life, with local microbreweries in the hip North Loop, wonderful waterways that include 22 lakes in city limits (plus the Mississippi River that cuts through downtown), as well as color-saturated, commissioned murals that complement the arts and music scene. - Median home value: $326,100 (53% own) One of the safest cities in Wisconsin, with a low cost of living and growing entertainment and food scenes, Appleton is increasingly appealing to young families and young professionals working remotely. It also provides easy access to downtown St. Louis, with connection to the Interstate 170, U.S. Route 40, and Interstate 64 highways. Employment has grown at an annualized rate of 5.2% over the five years to 2022, overperforming the national average of 3.7%, according to IbisWorld. - Population: 6,172 North of the states capital city is Carmel, IN, a true gem whose miles of connected paths and trails make it one of the best places to live in the Midwest. - Population: 41,329 - Median household income: $65,387. Visitors from all over the region trek to Beloits downtown for Al Fresco on Grand, a weekly outdoor social event in the picturesque city center that features shopping, drinking, and an unimaginable but totally predictable (and greatly appreciated) collection of cheeses. - Population: 1,325 Evanston isn't just a major part of the Chicago metropolitan area, it also leads research through the main Northwestern University campus. Its official city motto commits to "A Proud Past, A Bright Future. Add in affordability and close proximity to major cities, like Chicago, and Oak Park really is the perfect place to be. It also hosts many college students, since it's home to the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Located around eight miles from Detroit, Gross Pointe comprises several affluent neighborhoods near Lake St. Clair. - Median household income: $123,214. - Median rent: $1,887 (15% rent) This suburb lies just north of Indianapolis. This Grand Rapids suburb is full of nature access thanks to Reeds Lake and Fish Lake. [2] => 157375 A quintessential college town, Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas and exudes creativity and youthful exuberance. When we use there is, there are, and there's as expletives, we will often do so to delay the subject for style or effect. Kitchn is a source of inspiration for a happier, healthier life in your kitchen. - Population: 1,206 Then it's what matters to you, what's intolerable, what's good for your family, housing, jobs, climate, amenities (picking on the amenities mix is a rookie move as you rarely use all or most of those, it's . - Median rent: $1,186 (8% rent) Sunday | 73 views, 2 likes, 1 loves, 4 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Faith Lutheran Church Valley City: CCLI License #1182907 CCLI Streaming #21283072 One License #A-739668 Sundays. While a manufacturing hub, opportunities also lie within other sectors, like health care and retail, and many individuals have chosen to open their own businesses here. - Median rent: $1,213 (55% rent) - Median rent: $841 (38% rent) It's important to be polite at all times! - Median rent: $1,161 (27% rent) - Population: 4,637 Jobs: The Midwest is where it's at. Well, you're not entirely wrong, but the Midwest is a lot more complicated than a bread commercial. - Median home value: $371,800 (77% own) Only you can decide what pace and setting will work best for you and your family. - Median household income: $85,077. The Cleveland suburb of Solon may be close to a major city, but it's received plenty of accolades in its own right. - Median rent: $985 (16% rent) And when it comes to jobs, residents have quite the roster to choose from, as the city boasts excellent retail, tourism and hospitality sectors. Every once in a while, I forget to lock up. - Median home value: $410,800 (76% own) Viewers of the buzzy Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere might recognize this Cleveland suburb as its central location, but it has a much longer history. - Median household income: $141,217. It's largely populated by families, with well-regarded public schools and a liberal bent. This western St. Louis suburb, founded in 1988, was dubbed the "City of Volunteers" since due to its residents' charitable attitudes. People who sac." - Population: 51,136 - Median rent: $601 (32% rent) It's also been named one of Ohio's safest cities. Where Should I live? This Quiz Analyzes 20 Factors To Answer - Quiz Expo Its sturdy economy is flourishing with great job opportunities in a variety of fields, making it one of the best places to live in the Midwest. Plus, this is a city with heart. - Population: 9,437 - Population: 14,039 - Median household income: $103,230. Want To Know Your Ideal US City Or Town? Take This Quiz - BuzzFeed A piece of confetti is there in your hair. Residents can take a step back in time and visit Troy Historic Village, a 5-acre complex with 10 historic structures where visitors can discover the lifestyles of those who established homes and farms in the area in the 1800s. The West Coast is the best coast. A Midwest gem, Cincinnati, OH, is a place where residential, business and entertainment combine to create quite an appealing lifestyle. - Population: 52,225 Plus, this Michigan city is an amazing place to plant roots for both families and young professionals. The city is also home to several University of Kansas health centers, providing great medical care and medical career opportunities. From a performing arts complex that brings Broadway shows to the region and the Trout Museum of Art in the heart of downtown, the fun is never done. - Population: 10,663 Upper Arlington sits 10 miles from downtown Columbus, Ohio, with a family-friendly, suburban bent. With highly rated public schools and a cozy suburban feel, Ottawa Hills stands on its own as a place to build a life in Ohio. Minneapolis, MN, ranks as one of the best places to live in the Midwest partly because of its innovative economy that touches a breadth of industries from software to renewable energy. Take our quiz to find out! Its Lane Avenue shopping district offers plenty of local shopping options, while the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival draws around 25,000 people each year. - Median household income: $79,414, Manchester is a St. Louis suburb, and was named after Manchester, England when the town was first settled. - Median rent: $965 (39% rent) It's also a "Bird City," meaning that it's been recognized for its attempts to make the community an eco-friendly place for wildlife. Let's find out. - Population: 4,529 Mac 'n' cheese that's a casserole, right? Indiana. The suburban town employs quite a few people through Sage Communications and the Henry Ford Medical Center. Living in the American Heartland can be great, but unless you're choosing to move somewhere where you already have family or friends, figuring out exactly which city or suburb to live in can be a daunting taskafter all, there are thousands of communities spanning 12 American states. - Median household income: $97,145. It's also one of the city's more diverse suburbs, and had over 80 percent voter turnout in each presidential election of the 21st century. The University of Michigan provides a robust and homegrown talent pipeline for healthcare and tech sectors, and the colleges presence keeps the city young at heart. all help residents stretch their dollars further here. In 2010, CNN Money ranked it on its list of "Best Places to Live," writing, "Taking a walk through Shawnee Town is like walking back through time to the city's roots as a farming center." Oh, and when it comes to outdoor activities, youll love taking advantage of the Clinton River, which runs through the city, as well as the areas plentiful gorgeous parks, like Innovation Hills and Spencer Park. Apart from housing the St. Louis city government, Clayton is a strong force for city arts initiatives. 1 / 30. Youll find a growing craft beer scene, a strong economy and lots of friendly people. Exciting things are happening in Ann Arbor, MI. With a famous farmers market, tons of free cultural attractions, outdoor concerts rocking all summer long and 200 miles for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, Madison, WI, earns its rank as the best place to live in the U.S. (for the second year in a row!). - Median household income: $208,250. - Median household income: $106,555. The town of Haslett, Michigan is perhaps best-regarded for its natural amenities. Here, were highlighting the top 25 best places to live in the Midwest based on our research. It lies on Lake Lansing, which is also the home of Lansing Sailing Club and Michigan State University. - Median rent: $1,519 (13% rent) - Population: 2,804 Glendale sits outside of St. Louis, and has a low crime rate and high employment rate. - Median rent: $1,235 (50% rent) Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Detroit, Royal Oak, MI, can feel a world away. - Median rent: $1,272 (14% rent) Festivals and activities are always on the calendar, giving residents a chance to not only have fun but also to connect with their neighbors. I let some f-bombs drop from time to time. There is something magical about city . Cities in the Midwest are generally older, and thus, have longer traditions, older institutions, and more developed art/cultural scenes. - Median home value: $330,600 (77% own) More than 20,000 businesses, including the headquarters of Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies, have set up shop in the Omaha, NE metro area, which gives the city a strong economic edge. Here are some of my favorite charming places to live in the Midwest. Kids start driving young, parents make a lot of "hotdish" and everybody, young or old, has strong opinions on the nearest college football team. - Population: 34,570 You may also like: The States With the Most Small Businesses, - Population: 95,294 The Granville Inn, built in 1923, features a restaurant and pub for the public, where youll certainly want to take in the preserved architecture.