Beloved Michigan Town Named No. 1 for Quality of Life

Quality of life is important. Wherever you live, you want to really enjoy your environment and lifestyle. As it turns out, one Michigan town has been named No. 1 for quality of life in America, according to experts. It's a popular town, too, so it shouldn't be too surprising that this one made the cut. It's pretty incredible to think that this town is the No. 1 for quality of life, though, over any other U.S. city. I think we should feel proud as Michiganders.

The experts at U.S. News have released their popular Quality of Life Index. "It measures how satisfied residents are with their daily lives, and takes into account factors like crime, quality and availability of health care, quality of education and average commute time," they note. Also note that the publication's "rankings are based on an analysis of public data and user opinions."

Michigan has plenty of lovely places to reside, but one came out above the rest. Residents in Ann Arbor enjoy the best quality of life in the nation, according to the annual report. The city clocked an overall score of 7.7 out of 10 and beat out other popular areas, such as Boulder, Colorado; Boise, Idaho; Honolulu, Hawaii; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Madison, Wisconsin.

“Ann Arbor is a city of contrasts," the experts at U.S. News stated in its report. "It is at once rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society." They add that the city has an "increasingly diverse job market, a robust public parks system, and low crime rates." Ann Arbor, of course, is famous around the country for being where the University of Michigan resides. Even though I'm a Spartan graduate, I have to admit that Michigan has a great program. But, so does Michigan State. Just saying. U.S. News states that "locals here enjoy all the trappings of a stereotypical Midwestern college town: a charming, historic main street lined with bookstores, gift shops and taverns; a healthy mix of longtime residents and shorter-term passers-through; and plentiful cultural destinations and events." Kalamazoo, Michigan, was No. 17 and Grand Rapids was No. 20 on the tally.

Boulder was No. 2 on the tally, with the publication saying this city "reveals its spectacle at the crest of a hill on U.S. Route 36 from Denver with its iconic sandstone slabs rising from the mountains, prefaced by pine-clad mesas and cradled within the backdrop of the snow-capped Indian Peaks." Boise was No. 3 on the tally.