What is the best city to live in in the United States?

I've been looking fo a city to live in that is healthy fun, lots of shopping and a safe place to live. and cheap. Help me find a city to live in.

Wichita,KS

Grand Isle, Louisiana

you can't go wrong wirh Boise, Idaho,,

BEST is relative and subjective, and asking (no offense) is like asking one their fave color.

Certainly you should do a lot of research, beyond personal opinions, and visit each choice for a time, to explore.

You should keep in mind that even those that offer PERKS, also assume you'll believe compromises have to be considered.

CHEAP and all your other included words, is probably even more Relative, and probably more abstract, given the state of our economy, etc.

Other issues such as your age, Children in your life, education levels or desires, JOB situation, current income or budget, and on and on, will factor into your plan.

Example: You could live in NYC, probably safely, with shopping, THOUSANDS of activities available, decent schools, Jobs, and CHEAP might be the glitch, depending on your standards.

Two quotes come to mind. One deals with the grass being greener. The other is from the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want, BUT"........................

Steven Wolf
Lived everywhere

Well, I live in San Diego, CA and much as I love it here and think it's the best city to live, I think that way because this is my hometown and I am biased. In all honesty however, if you are looking for a safe and inexpensive place to live, don't look here. San Diego is a beautiful city and there is much to do. We have excellent hospitals here and there is plenty of shopping and recreation (Sea World, San Diego Zoo, beaches, desert, mountains, golfing, horseback riding, sailing, skateboarding, you name it, we've got it). Still, no place in San Diego County is exempt from crime, although some areas are safer than others. Also, it is very expensive to live here and most people have to have dual incomes if they are supporting a family, unless someone has a very high-paying job.

Now my sister-in-law and her husband moved to San Antonio, Texas over a year ago and they absolutely love it. It is family-oriented, a big city but not too big, it has a mild climate, the city is very pretty (Google it for photos), and it is very inexpensive to live there compared to other parts of the country (especially compared to California). When our children are grown, my husband and I are thinking about moving there ourselves.

I wish you all the best in your search of a city to live in.

I can help with all but the cheap..Boston is vibrant, healthy and a great cultural center. Otherwise, I would say SanDiego CA, fun , laid back, health concious, great weather

Atlanta,Georgia !!

I LOVE the Dallas area! Certainly tons of shopping, and inexpensive to live here. WONDERFUL people too! ... Moved here after living in Southern California for 30+ years. California is definitely NOT inexpensive, and NOT a safe place to live (or drive in)

San Francisco or Manhatten

North Andover, MA

If you don't mind living in the Midwest. Columbus Ohio is a great city. There is plenty of shopping, reasonably priced houses and condo's. It can be cold here in the winter. Downtown has art, performance art, theaters. Some great restaurants. I'm not sure about what area of employment you are looking for. There are several large insurance companies here and other good companies.

Columbus Zoo is really great. There is also some parks nearby for hiking etc.

Good luck with your search.

The problem is that the healthy, fun, shop-filled, safe cities tend to be expensive - San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York, etc.

I think you might consider the midwest. Columbus, Ohio comes to mind, as does Pittsburgh (really!). Or the west - Denver, Albuquerque, perhaps Boise.