Ask most people in which city they would most want to live and usually their answer would be shaped by such realities as proximity to their jobs and what they can afford. But suppose you could choose to live anywhere you wanted regardless of cost? What if you could live in a city that offered a wealth of culture, entertainment, good schools, low crime and plenty of green space? Many people might opt for the obvious choices, such as New York or San Francisco, but, great as they are, data reveals there are other cities that are even better.

Businessweek.com spent months working with data that would help us to identify the best cities in the U.S. We looked at a range of positive metrics around quality of life, counted up restaurants, evaluated school scores, and considered the number of colleges and pro sports teams. All these factors and more add up to a city that would seem to offer it all. When we began the process we had no idea which cities would come out on top. The winner? Raleigh, N.C.

Check out the rest of the list below.

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The Best Cities in America

1. Raleigh

Population: 377,487
Mayor: Charles Meeker

Why it’s ranked: Taking more than a dozen data points into account, Raleigh ranks as the best place to live in the U.S. The city sports a high number of bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions as well as a thriving social scene, great parks, and good schools. Raleigh shows the cultural graces that go along with anchoring the so-called research triangle, home to North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of course, it’s also much more. The city offers a great deal on nights and weekends, from concerts and opera to the 30,000-sq.-ft. State Farmer’s Market. The data backs it up. North Carolina’s state capitol is top in our book.

2. Arlington, Va.

Population: 206,405
County Board Chairman: Christopher Zimmerman

Why it’s ranked: Home to numerous headquarters of companies and government agencies, this Washington D.C. suburb is a draw in its own right. The area is highly educated, with more than two-thirds of the population holding a college degree. Arlington has a median income level of $93,806, low levels of foreclosures, and the lowest unemployment among cities we ranked. (Arlington is not incorporated as a municipality but is in the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of incorporated places and was included in our survey.)

3. Honolulu

Population: 374,359
Mayor: Peter Carlisle

Why it’s ranked: From the prominent slopes of Diamond Head to the white beaches of Waikiki, Honolulu is a beautiful place to live and play. The area has done well through the recession, with extremely low unemployment and a low level of foreclosures. Go surfing and hang ten, then breathe very deep because the air quality is about as good as it gets.

 

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