Much of America's charm is predicated on small-town life. It's community oriented, nostalgic, and generally more affordable than living in a big city.
In its October/November print issue, AARP The Magazine highlights 10 great hometowns for anyone on a modest budget of $40,000 per year. (Check out the shorter online version here).
To create the list, the magazine partnered with Sperling's Best Places, which focuses on quality of life research, to determine a livability index, factoring in metrics on housing affordability, access to work and recreation, transportation, healthcare, and safety. Each city on the list has a score above the average livability index score of 50.
Read on to check out 10 US cities where life is robust and affordable.
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Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Livability index: 65
Population: 115,300
Median housing price: $127,300
Sunny days per year: 188
Just one hour North of Milwaukee you'll find this distinctly Midwestern town on the shores of Lake Michigan at the opening of the Sheboygan River, the area's main draw and a hotspot for surfing and sailing. Residents laud Sheboygan's free and affordable events and activities, including the annual Brat Days festival, a celebration of the city's most famous culinary export.
Eugene, Oregon
Livability index: 59
Population: 358,300
Median housing price: $222,000
Sunny days per year: 155
Nestled in the lush Willamette Valley, Eugene has "carefully cultivated its image as an outdoor-lover's paradise," according to AARP The Magazine. Its high concentration of nature mavens — including both the area's college students and retirees — frequent farmer's markets, vineyards, hiking and biking trails, museums, and galleries.
Cleveland, Ohio
Livability index: 56
Population: 2 million
Median housing price: $124,000
Sunny days per year: 166
Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland has experienced a cultural renaissance of late, led by growing populations of baby boomers and millennials alike. The city's robust art and music scene is complemented by lively nightlife and award-winning restaurants, not to mention a renewed excitement among NBA fans with the return of hometown hero LeBron James.
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