Top Ten States for Quality of Life
 

America's Top 10 States for Quality of Life: Take a Bow


#1 HAWAII
Hawaiians are passionate about the environment, and it shows. Among the most visited of the 50 states, there is no shortage of attractions. The Aloha State offers nearly every type of climate known to man, so unless you crave polar conditions, you're in luck. This is a healthy state, with low instances of cancer and heart disease and few residents without health insurance.


#2 VERMONT
The Green Mountain State takes its name from the verdant range that defines this state, but Vermont is more than just mountains. It's more than maple syrup, too, though Vermonters will proudly tell you the state accounts for 39 percent of the nation's total production. Vermont is one of America's healthiest states by many measures, from infectious disease rates to the percentage of residents without health insurance. The crime rate and pollution are among the nation's lowest.


#3 MINNESOTA
The North Star State has something to offer almost everyone. Enjoy the natural beauty of the North Woods or the cosmopolitan sophistication of the Twin Cities. And everyone, it seems, is "Minnesota Nice"—so much so that the crime rate is among the nation's lowest. The home of the famed Mayo Clinic is one of America's healthiest states, and the environment is among the cleanest. But if you're not a fan of winter, beware. With an average annual temperature of just 41.2 degrees Fahrenheit, Minnesota is one of America's coldest states. But they'll tell you—nicely—that they know how to adapt.


#4 NEBRASKA
There is more than just corn in the Cornhusker State, which offers relatively low crime, clean air, and apparently a relatively stress-free lifestyle—heart disease and high blood pressure here are well below the national average. Improving health and a declining crime rate helped Nebraska mount a solid improvement in quality of life this year.


#5 (TIE) MAINE
The Pine Tree State is the safest state, with the nation's lowest crime rate. Mainers are healthy, with the percentage of uninsured residents one of the lowest in the country. Pollution is low, with toxic chemical releases among the nation's lowest. But Maine's reputation as a quiet state is well-earned. If you are not an outdoor enthusiast, attractions can be hard to come by.


#5 (TIE) NORTH DAKOTA
The Peace Garden State lives up to its nickname when you look at the low crime rate, and when you consider air and water quality. The state's phenomenal oil shale boom has led to some growing pains—literally. Obesity is higher than the national average, though health care is generally accessible. All in all though, North Dakota is proving that a strong economy and strong quality of life are not mutually exclusive.


#7 SOUTH DAKOTA
America's Top State for Business overall is also no slouch when it comes to Quality of Life. Marvel at the attraction that gives the Mount Rushmore State its nickname, as you enjoy one of the cleanest environments in the country. Crime is relatively low, and health care is generally accessible. However, the overall health of South Dakotans is just about average compared to the rest of the nation.


#8 OREGON
Looking for something to do in the Beaver State? Choose from hippy hip Portland or the other-worldly beauty of Crater Lake National Park. Air quality is among the best in the country. Oregonians are healthier than most Americans, with lower instances of obesity and diabetes. The state's improving health helped Oregon stage a sizable improvement.


#9 NEW HAMPSHIRE
With one of the lowest crime rates in the country, the Granite State is one of the safest places to live in, and one of the healthiest. The state falls from its top ranking in the category in 2012 when it tied with Hawaii, largely because of a decline in air quality. Particle pollution and high ozone days are on the rise, possibly due to the improving economy. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services cites rising population and highway densities as areas of concern.

#10 WASHINGTON
From Seattle to Spokane, the Evergreen State offers a near-pristine environment, a wealth of local attractions, and relatively low crime. The state climbs from last year's 15th place ranking by posting modest improvements nearly across the board. However, the percentage of residents without health insurance has been rising slightly in recent years.


　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

I was born in Maine. Lovely state but I'd rather be here in TV.

PS which state is #1!

Is this a personal assessment? If that is what we're doin'. I pick Ohio as number one.

Somehow I knew that would be your choice.

No source of this "objective" information was given. I googled the headline and found this page linked.

I notice that this sentence is omitted from Hawaii's #1 description:

"Hawaii's top-ranked quality of life for a second straight year makes it easy to forget about the state's dismal overall ranking."

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100807421/page/11

And this part was not showing in the Vermont #2 description:

2013 Quality of Life Rank (Points): #2 (265)

2013 Overall Rank: #31

2012 Quality of Life Rank: #3

How can you really measure quality of life? What I think is quality may not be the same to you. We all view quality of life differently. I don't think it's where you live, it's how you live.

Good point - lists like this are very subjective. BTW, I have lived in three of the states on the list, Nebraska, Minnesota, and North Dakota. They are all great places to live, but I am partial to the Midwest.

Post from Kayaker ...

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...merica-109445/

And the best part of Florida, of course, is The Villages. The largest retirement place in the WORLD and the fastest growing town in the U.S.

All for good reasons, but I love it because all of you terrific people live here.

Good morning everyone.

Wasn't that a bang,bang storm last night?, but it didn't SNOW!

How did I know you would say that???? I have to get my two cents in and say, at least there are three (3) New England States in the top ten!!! Especially since I'm from New Hampshire. LOL

No snow Gracie, but we had quite a bit of hail in Sanibel.

Yeah...wind, lightning, hail, rain at 5:00. And I still played golf afterward. Gotta love Florida weather.

Boom, Boom too!!! I had to drive home in it in my golf cart!!! OMG

Almost everyone loves the state they're from, but living the dream in TV is the best!!!!

Love my hometown in New York, but TV is the best, and no snow!!!!

Most of these surveys have several points such as overall crime rate, cost of living, air quality etc. that they rate. Each category is given points and the ranking is given according to the total number of points.

I lived in northern Maine for a while and have spent time in Vermont. You couldn't pay me enough to live in either of those two states. There are huge poverty stricken areas in both states. Maine is fine as long as you are in a little 20 mile wide strip along the coast but other then that there's nothing. Vermont is the same. There are little pockets of civilization, but there are huge areas where people live in shacks in the middle of nowhere.

Of course, as far as I'm concerned, the quality of life in any state that has snow is terrible.

:shocked: You mean the streets aren't paved with gold in Vermont?

I lived in the mid west for a very long time and a long time in the Minneapolis area. i have lived a number of years in the south and was born and reared in the northeast. By far Minneapolis area is the best place i ever lived. It is a very vibrant area, clean, progressive , an intelligent community excellent standard/quality of living/life. The winter carnival is a feat to be hold. major league in football, baseball, hockey, basketball along with college sports. It takes three days to shop all of the Mall of America. Why did i leave? Why does anyone retire to Florida?

Minneapolis has been rated the #1 city in the country despite the so called cold winters. Its really hot here and then the winters can be cold.

I have never heard one person who has been to the Twin cities say a bad thing about it , except its cold but weather is a relative thing as respect individuals.

The best state is a state-of-mind and it follows you wherever you go. :)

OMG, you are so right about Maine. Our son went to MMA, and while attending a parents' function, we took some day trips inland. So very depressing when you get back off of the coast.

Best five places to retire on $100 a day (36,500 yr.).
Pittsburg, Pa., San Antonio, Tx., Omaha, Ne., Grand Junction, Co., Gainesville, FL. AARP magazine September 2012.

I am only posting this to say that in the last couple of years there are many So called Best Places to live, work and/or retire. One thing in common---all different.

Bottom line---I take little stock in them. Your health, income, hobbies and family responsibility have much to do with where you work/retire. That said---these best places to live surveys are interesting and do provide some information for those who contemplate is it best to stay or move when you retire.

For many, The Villages is the best place to live.

The drive to Leesburg, and the city itself, make me sad. Not so much Ocala, for some reason. My perspective has gotten skewed because of the cleanliness, serenity and lush landscaping here.

I lived in Oahu a couple of years and it's nice if you're loaded. My wife was there for grad school and our 400 sf apartment on University Ave. might as well have been in Omaha, since it had about the same amount of scenic splendor. Everything is also very expensive; going to the grocery store was painful.

I lived in far northern MN and ND and was very happy in both places. Now there's your peace and quiet. :)

If I liked snow and cold, MN would be my choice. I would live in Minneapolis and have a cabin somewhere in the Northwoods, with a huge fireplace.

We can find more things fun to do staying cool then trying to get warm we'll stay here.

If you get off 27/441 and go downtown, Leesburg appears a lot different. Also the park and marina along Rt 44 is very attractive.