These studies take into account several factors, including affordability, child care, health and safety, and more.
Over the past 50 years, technological developments have made it possible to work remotely or from home. We link the escalating trend to current events, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Jack Nilles, a NASA engineer, came up with the term "telecommuting" in 1972. Since then, remote work has been employed to reduce stress, office costs, air pollution, traffic, and commuting costs. Today's workers have a lot of freedom in where they choose to reside, which is advantageous for families who can concentrate on the requirements of their developing children.
There are several factors to consider while choosing the finest states to raise a family. All 50 U.S. states were ranked according to a weighted scale of factors under each of five main criteria (health and safety, family fun, education and child care, affordability, and socioeconomics) in a study by Wallet Hub. Their ranking placed Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Nebraska as the top five states.
For instance, the family fun category took into account the number of young family units as well as fitness and recreational activities. Air quality, healthcare, and crime were all included under the heading of health and safety. Public education and daycare were the main topics of education and childcare. Housing costs and family income were taken into account when determining affordability, whereas socioeconomics focused on unemployment, poverty, and foreclosure rates.
Wallet Hub evaluated the data and put questions to a group of industry professionals. Dr. Heidi Stolz, professor of Child and Family Studies at the University of Tennessee, responded to a query regarding the extent to which a child's development and a family's quality of life are influenced by the state in which they reside by saying, "Overall, neighborhoods, and communities have major impacts on children's development. The foundation for a child's future is made up of factors including neighborhood safety, school quality, air and water quality, green space, parental economic opportunity, access to wholesome food, and strong social bonds.
"Location matters for child development" is how Dr. Patty Kuo, assistant professor of Child, Youth, and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln, responded to the same query. "Location can determine a family's access to key resources, like fresh healthy food, quality health care, child care, and education."
When families decide where to live, personal tastes are taken into consideration in addition to these factors. Do they value being active outside or doing sports? Do they enjoy winter sports and skiing? Do they love boats and pleasant weather all year round, or are they city dwellers who want to be close to cultural attractions such as museums, theatres, and galleries? According to its website, HomeSnacks aggregates information from numerous sources to "assist people to discover a place to live that fits them uniquely."
Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Iowa top the list of Best States to Raise a Family in America for 2022 compiled by HomeSnacks. The clean air and water, schools, and safety in Maine and Vermont respectively earned each state it is top ranking. For like reasons, New Hampshire also made the top five (can you see a theme here?) Nebraska and Iowa have a lot of kids, tiny towns, and affordable housing in common.
A list from MoneyRates places New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Utah in a tie for #1, followed by Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, further illustrating the difficulty in selecting the "best." Their study's criteria included the cost of living, academic standing, college expenses, crime rates, availability of child care, health, and broadband infrastructure.
Naturally, cities and communities differ greatly within each state. By integrating information on the Best Places to Live in the U.S. with information on the cost of living, average earnings, high school graduation rates, commute times, and access to healthcare, U.S. News & World Report created a list of the Best Places to Live for Families in the U.S. in 2022–2023. Based on factors including affordability, household income, and air quality, Huntsville, Alabama, came out on top. San Jose, California, finished in second, earning points for having a good education, even though housing costs consume a bigger portion of income. Green Bay, Wisconsin, came in third because of its low crime rates, quick commutes, and affordable cost of living.
The availability of a wealth of comparison data and, for many working adults, the freedom to choose careers and employers that offer remote work, are both positive developments for families looking for the best place to call home. Families nowadays have more choices than ever in selecting the ideal location for them to live thanks to information and increased confidence in their capacity to earn.