Philadelphia vs New York vs Boston vs Charleston vs Newport 1776 edition (living, best)
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It was the largest city in the American colonies, and
It was where the history was being made.
In terms of age, it was the youngest of the five, but also the most centrally located relative to the others, which was one reason why it was chosen as the meeting site for the three Continental Congresses that led to the Declaration of Independence.
I think, though, that this might be a somewhat confusing or bifurcated poll. The OP is asking "If we were living in 1776, in which of these cities would we prefer to live?" But I think the answers are based largely on the two factors above, and I'm not sure that everyone who answered would choose a place to live based on those two factors alone.
If we're talking specifically 1776, then we have to remember there was an active war going on. Boston would be out of the running immediately following years of targeted embargoes, civil unrest, and battles. New York City would be out because it was an occupied city and a battleground. These factors all impact livability. Ask anyone living in Ukraine.
Philadelphia was on the cusp of being occupied. It would soon be occupied by an enemy force with the Continental Congress having to evacuate.
In 1776, Charleston and Newport were the cities least impacted directly by the war, though that would change later. Personally, I'd pick Newport because I like New England better.
Now, if this poll was asking about each of these cities after the war was over, in the 1780s, then I think Philadelphia had the best of everything but New York had the most promise.
July 1776 was the only time all the founding fathers lived and worked together to create 'The United States' and all of it happened in Philadelphia. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Adams, and more lived along Market St. From Front St. to 8th Street. So if I was picking one moment to see in a time machine, I would like to see them sign the Declaration of Independence.
July 1776 was the only time all the founding fathers lived and worked together to create 'The United States' and all of it happened in Philadelphia. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Adams, and more lived along Market St. From Front St. to 8th Street. So if I was picking one moment to see in a time machine, I would like to see them sign the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington didn't sign the Declaration of Independence because he was out kicking royal British butt.
George Washington didn't sign the Declaration of Independence because he was out kicking royal British butt.
Hell yeah. I grew up right near Washington's Crossing.
Every Christmas, reenactors go out into the River and re-enact Christmas Day 1776 where Washington surprised the British at the Battle of Trenton, a pivotal moment that helped raise moral and turn the tides of the war.
Newport was probably hurt more by the War for Independence than any of these other cities. Its port was blockaded killing its merchant trade which was its lifeline. Then the British occupied the city. Many residents fled and never returned. That didn't even change with the arrival from France of Rochambeau and the French fleet to the city.
Newport never recovered from the war and lost much of its luster to the northern RI port city of Providence which was never occupied. Providence and the area around it was then able to quickly transform its economy into manufacturing within year's of the war's end. Newport's maritime economy took another big hit with the War of 1812 and the city stayed relatively stagnant for many decades before the nation's wealthy discovered it and started to spend summers there. It took until about 1850 for the city to once again reach its 1776 population.
Charleston without air conditioning would be miserable so I’d rule that one out right away. It’s really hard to picture the other cities back then, particularly NY. There were still mansions in Manhattan through the Gilded Aged so we are talking something totally different from now… I’d probably lean Boston here, but it’s a tough call.
In 1776 (at least by March) the war was over in Massachusetts l, while there was a lot of fighting in the mid-Atlantic
I’d say Charleston but no AC in the South? No thank you.
So I’d say Boston , plus a smaller city was much more livable back in the day, as sewers hadn’t Been, nor the big water projects of the 19th century dug yet, so cities quickly became literal cesspools.
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(my, how times change). 
