By: Sophia Powell

1. Portland, Maine: Beautiful Portland, a.k.a the food truck capital of the world, has been voted the best place to live in the U.S. because of its “diverse variety of art and foods” as some residents would mention. Portland is also one of the safest places to live in the U.S. The downside to living in Maine is that they receive very harsh winters that can start in October and end in late May, with temperatures as low as 40 degrees.
2. Naples, Florida: Next, we have one of our own, Naples. Naples is one of the best places to live because of its pristine beaches, beautiful sunsets, and abundance of golf courses. It is known for its high-end shopping, but it is a very expensive place to live. After being compared to over 100 other places in the U.S., its proven that Naples is 12% more expensive to live in than anywhere else in the country. Other downsides include heavy rain when it’s not sunny, warmer weather means larger insects, and tons of traffic if you’re commuting to the city.
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado: The amazing Colorado Springs is known to be one of the most well rounded, happy, and healthiest cities in the U.S. Residents say this is due to perfect weather all year round meaning people are able to enjoy a variety of different outdoor activities. Colorado Springs is very affordable, has a healthy economy, and fitness is like a culture. Some cons of living here are the crime rates. By living here you have an estimated 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim in a violent crime, but Colorado Springs is still 21% safer than other cities in Colorado.
4. Austin, Texas: Next, we have the gorgeous Austin, Texas. Austin is a very desirable place to live because of the highly educated workforce, accepting people, great parks, good food, and great music. Austin is also home of the world famous Tex-Mex cuisine which includes: shredded cheese, beans, meat (chicken, beef, or pork), peppers, spices wrapped in a flour tortilla. Austin is also home to a variety of college students from The University of Texas, St. Edwards University, Huston-Tillotson University, and many more public and private schools. Cons to living in Austin is the very hot and humid weather, heavy traffic, and college ambiance. 
5. Fayetteville, Arkansas: Finally, we have Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville is a great place for families as it has everything from economic stability to the quality public schools and the relatively low cost of living. This is Fayetteville’s third year in a row making top 5 in the U.S. News & World Reports rankings. Disadvantages to living in Fayetteville are the high crime rates, high poverty level, insect and animal dangers, and high sales tax.