Rochester Tops ‘Best Place To Live’ List
Over the past two decades Rochester has been near the top of many "best places to live in America" lists. Now it can add one more to the list. Livability.com just named Rochester the #1 city on its list of "Top 100 Best Places to Live for 2016".
This is Livability.com's third annual ranking of the best small to mid-sized cities in the United States. They ranked more than 2,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 people. The rankings were based on more than 40 different criteria.
In 2014, Rochester was number seven on the list. Last year, the Med City finished second, just behind Madison, Wisconsin. This year Rochester topped the list scoring high marks for schools, civil engagement, health-care and its diverse range of affordable housing. The website noted that with the renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester is experiencing an economic boom that is bringing in thousands of new residents and new businesses and giving those who live here an expanding assortment of entertainment options.
Bellevue, Washington finished second in the rankings, followed by last year's top city Madison, Wisconsin at #3. Santa Barbara, California and Boulder, Colorado round out Livability.com's top five 'best cities to live' list for 2016.