Ranking These 20 US cities (live, best, state, better)

[Chriscross309]

Two Questions:

1). How would you rank the following US cities based on your personal preference? There is really no rhyme or reason for these cities with the exception of size (not large). I also tried to cover the whole US in some way shape or form.

Portland, ME
Burlington, VT
Manchester, MA
Annapolis, MD
Erie, PA
Savannah, GA
Boise, ID
Olympia, WA
Colorado Springs, CO
Lubbock, TX
Pensacola, FL
Chattanooga, TN
Roanoke, VA
Asheville, NC
Missoula, MT
Fresno, CA
Greenville, SC
Cedar Rapids, IA
Charleston, WV
Appelton, WI

2). Based on the following criteria, which city on this list would be the best in that subject?

Quality of Life
Crime/lack thereof
Culture
Education
Healthcare
Public Transportation
Dining/local cusine
Shopping
Nightlife
Natural Beauty
Recreation
Location
Residential Neighborhoods
Architecture
Economy

This is just for fun, so don't get too worked up on the details.

[Treasurevalley92]

Has anyone actually been to all these cities?

I've been a few of these cities, but I haven't spent much time on the east coast outside the major cities.

I would rate Boise and Colorado Springs highly. I was born in CoSprings and Grew up in Boise. Both are nice cities that consistently are rated highly for quality of life.

I prefer Boise to pretty much any city in that size range. A lot of it has to do with being familiar with it, but it consistently shows up in other people's rankings for "Best places to live" so I'm not alone. I've traveled a good amount and while there are places with better skiing, or a beach, or taller mountains, or better food etc, but it is a just all around nice place. I really think it is the one to beat.

Lubbock, TX is a place I would rate pretty lowly. To me it is ugly, flat and hot with pretty much nothing to do besides the school, but then again I'm not a local so I might be missing out on most of the things people like about it.

1) Boise
2) Colorado Springs
3)Olympia, WA
4) Missoula, MT
5)Cedar Rapids, IA
6)Fresno, CA
7)Lubbock, TX

[C24L]

Lubbock would be my top choice out of those cities.

[boulevardofdef]

Of those I've been to, I vote for Savannah, but like most (all?) others, I haven't been to the majority of them.

[Chriscross309]

I have only been to 10 of the cities on the list myself. I believe that I could still compose an accurate ranking based on general knowledge of these cities.

My rankings would look like this (with the exception of Charleston because it is my home and I'm biased)


Burlington, VT
Annapolis, MD
Savannah, GA
Olympia, WA
Asheville, NC
Portland, ME
Chattanooga, TN
Missoula, MT
Boise, ID
Manchester, NH (I accidentally put MA)
Colorado Springs, CO
Roanoke, VA
Greenville, SC
Pensacola, FL
Erie, PA
Appleton, WI
Lubbock, TX
Cedar Rapids, IA
Fresno, CA

Quality of Life: Burlington, VT (This place rocks all around)
Crime/lack thereof: Missoula, MT (just speculation)
Culture: Savannah, GA (southern hospitality)
Education: Annapolis, MD (Naval Academy)
Healthcare: Honestly have no idea
Public Transportation: my guess would be Fresno, CA
Dining/local cusine: Savannah, GA
Shopping: Annapolis, MD (has a great downtown and some large upscale shopping in its suburbs)
Nightlife: Pensecola, FL
Natural Beauty: Probably Olympia, WA
Recreation: Burlington, VT
Location: Annapolis, MD
Residential Neighborhoods: Savannah, GA (beautiful old houses and tree covered streets)
Architecture: Personally I prefer Annapolis, but Savannah is unique
Economy: Greenville, SC

[Vlajos]

I've only been to these of the list:

Portland, ME
Savannah, GA
Chattanooga, TN
Asheville, NC
Missoula, MT
Cedar Rapids, IA
Appelton, WI

Portland and Missoula win.

[woxyroxme]

Of the ones I have been to Portland ME would be #1.

[pnwguy2]

Of the OP's cities listed here:

Portland, ME
Burlington, VT
Manchester, MA
Annapolis, MD
Erie, PA
Savannah, GA
Boise, ID
Olympia, WA
Colorado Springs, CO
Lubbock, TX
Pensacola, FL
Chattanooga, TN
Roanoke, VA
Asheville, NC
Missoula, MT
Fresno, CA
Greenville, SC
Cedar Rapids, IA
Charleston, WV
Appelton, WI

1. Boise, ID (beautiful, slower pace, among best weather in ID)
2. Olympia WA (close to bigger metros, near Puget Sound)
3. Missoula, MT (cool college town, mountains surround)
4. Cedar Rapids, IA (close to nice college town, but family midwestern influence)
5. Pensacola,FL (Florida lifestyle and weather, close to beach))

[Thoreau424]

Portland, ME
Burlington, VT
Manchester, MA
Annapolis, MD
Erie, PA
Savannah, GA
Boise, ID
Olympia, WA
Colorado Springs, CO
Lubbock, TX
Pensacola, FL
Chattanooga, TN
Roanoke, VA
Asheville, NC
Missoula, MT
Fresno, CA
Greenville, SC
Cedar Rapids, IA
Charleston, WV
Appelton, WI

So one city from each of those states? Darts thrown at a map? There seems to be no rhyme or reason why those cities, and why those states. The two cities from the states that I know have no similarity whatsoever.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Fresno would be at the top of my list (it is an under-rated city), and Olympia would be 2nd