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Let's say you are moving from across the country and HAVE to live in the Midwest. You don't want to live in a small town. But you have the luxury to live any town you want, east of the Rockies and west of PA. I have thought and thought and I really can only come up with 2 places in the Midwest that would be fantastic places in anyone's book: Chicago and Madison. Maybe Ann Arbor or Lincoln. I can't think of anywhere else. Obviously anyone who lives there could make a case for places like St. Louis or Minneapolis--- but I am talking about towns that would make a nationwide top 10 list for desirable, cool places.
Your question is confusing. Do you want small towns or cities? You're saying hypothetically the person doesn't want to live in a small town but then you list your choices as cities. So which are you looking for?
Too vague. Need to know preferences in weather and activities outside of work. Is cost of living part of the equation?
Ignoring these factors, I would say-in no particular order: Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Madison . One step down (nice cities, but personally don't have same appeal as first cities listed):
Milwaukee,Rapid City, Des Moines, Indy, Louisville. Close to these are St. Louis, Omaha, Grand Rapids and Kansas City.
Sticking to cities I have been to. Have to admit it's been 5+ years since I've been to some of the towns I listed.
If I can go outside the Midwest, I would possibly add Austin TX. to my first and certainly to the 2nd group.
Cost of living is not part of the equation. The equation is basically sitting at a table somewhere and picking the very coolest/best towns/cities in the Midwest, that any average person would love to live in, if they had to be in the Midwest
Cities like Milwaukee and St. Louis are vastly underrated by the rest of the nation, but are also overrated by the people who live there. I guess you could also say the same thing about Cleveland.
I'm an architect and my wife works in advertising/design, and the only cities with venerable design communities in the Midwest are Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul. We would probably leave the region if we couldn't live in either of these cities.
I definitely like Madison better than Ann Arbor. But I'm biased.
Some year's ago Time magazine's #1 rated city nationwide (for value, amenities, family-friendly etc) was Omaha. I have been there for shows but I doubt I'd ever want to live there. There is no city that speaks to all people in all places. Different strokes for different folks.
Cincinnati, OH easily wins. One of the few midwestern cities that is actually scenic. And it's an easy drive from Chicago for visits. Tolerable winters too.
Global city: Chicago
Large city: Minneapolis
Medium sized cities: Madison, Ann Arbor
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