Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Harrisburg makes top 35 'Best places to live'

Don't Edit

The magazine noted in its highlights of the city that "the great outdoors are easily accessible...Bikers and runners take in the scenery of the Susquehanna River on the trails of Riverfront Park. Residents also enjoy hiking the famous Appalachian Trail or camping and mountain biking in the many nearby state parks and forests." The study also gave kudos for the capital's city affordability and "small-town atmosphere."

Harrisburg ranks #34 'Great outdoors easily accessible'

The Harrisburg metro area was named the 34th Best Place to Live, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2017 analysis. The ranking represented a demotion from 2015 when the area earned the 25th spot. Still, Harrisburg was the top-ranked Pennsylvania city this year. The publication picks the top 100 places to live for its annual report. Read the full Harrisburg report: here.

Don't Edit

Harrisburg metropolitan area has more of a small-town atmosphere than many of the East Coast's larger metro areas, according to U.S. News and World Report. "And with one of the country's most affordable housing markets and a cost of living below the national average, Harrisburg provides an urban atmosphere with a manageable price tag."

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

'Urban atmosphere with manageable pricetag'

The 2017 Best Places to Live were determined in part by a public survey of thousands of residents across the country to find out what qualities they consider important in a home town, according to U.S. World and News Report. The methodology also factored in data from the United States Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as U.S. News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals.

Don't Edit

Lancaster earned a score of 6.6 out of 10 based on quality of life, the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. Harrisburg edged past Lancaster with a higher score in value for a final overall score of 6.7. (photo from CityofLancasterPa.com)

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Lancaster ranked #41

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate, according to the U.S. News and World Report analysis. "Lancaster is famous for its sizable communities of Amish, Mennonite, Brethren and other "Plain People."

Don't Edit

Pittsburgh earned a 6.5-point rating out of 10 based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Pittsburgh ranked #58

"Transplants expecting grime are surprised to find instead a hub of technology and education," according to the report. "A rise in job opportunities has made Pittsburgh an attractive place for families and graduates...Pittsburgh now encompasses more acres of park per capita and trees per square mile than any other major U.S. metro area, and it's attracting major corporations looking to set up shop."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Philadelphia earned a 6.2 rating out of 10 based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. It ranked highest in the categories of job market and desirability.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Philly ranked #77

"Walking through downtown, you'll likely spot murals and mosaics coating the sides of industrial warehouses and ivy climbing the walls of 300-year-old brick buildings," the report said. "Culture is well-established in Philly, too, as evidenced by the array of art galleries, music venues and theaters, as well as the nation's oldest art museum. Every section of Philly is distinct."

Don't Edit

Allentown earned a score of 6.1 out of 10, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. It scored highest in the category of quality of life.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Allentown ranked #79

"A quiet architectural renaissance has blossomed in Pennsylvania's third-largest metro area," according to the report. "Much of Allentown's charm comes from its vast collection of historic homes and buildings, commercial structures and century-old industrial buildings."

Don't Edit

Scranton earned a score of 6 out of 10, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. It scored highest in the category of quality of life.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Scranton ranked #86

"Trendy restaurants, niche boutiques and art galleries provide an active downtown atmosphere," the report said. "Scranton's low crime rate and low cost of living make it a popular place for families, while the vital, healthy downtown is a magnet for millennials."

Don't Edit

This is a photo of the #1 best place to live, according to the 2017 analysis.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

Rounding out the Top Ten

Several metro areas saw significant gains year over year, according to U.S. News and World Report. Boston, Massachusetts, moved up to No. 8 from No. 30 thanks to a drop in the unemployment rate. Salt Lake City's improved cost of living propelled it from No. 27 to No. 10, the report noted. Hartford, Connecticut, Syracuse, New York, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all climbed more than 20 spots into the top 50. Like Salt Lake City, all three metro areas earned higher affordability scores in 2017.

Don't Edit

Salt Lake City earned a score of 7.1 out of 10, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. It ranked highest with desirability. (photo from Seattle tourism bureau.)

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#10: Salt Lake City

"Nestled along Utah's Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City has one of the country's best backyards," according to the report. "Five national parks and several world-class ski resorts are within driving distance...The Utah state capital also offers its residents everything from professional sports like Utah Jazz basketball to kid-approved attractions like The Living Planet Aquarium."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Des Moines earned a 7.1 score out of 10, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. The city scored particularly high in value with a 8.5, while lowest in desirability at 5.3.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#9: Des Moines, Iowa

"The capital of this so-called flyover state may not top your to-visit list, but Des Moines is a great place to live and raise a family," according to the report. "Elegant Colonial and Tudor-style homes built in the early 1900s hide in quiet neighborhoods minutes from buzzy downtown, where lofts and condos draw the millennial crowd."

Don't Edit

The city scored 7.1 out of 10, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there. It scored highest in job market at 8.9 and lowest in value at 5.8.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#8: Boston, Mass.

"Often referred to as the "Cradle of Liberty," Boston is the site of some of the most significant social, cultural and political moments in U.S. history," according to the report. "Living in the region can feel like acting out the pages of a history book, while simultaneously experiencing the perks of a modern metro area."

Don't Edit

The city scored a 7.2 out of 10 points, with the highest ranking for net migration.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#7: Raleigh and Durham, N.C.

"Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are known for their research/technology roots and collegiate rivalries," the report said. "This tri-city region (known as the Triangle) is luring nearly 80 new residents a day with strong job growth and a high quality of life."

Don't Edit

The city scored a 7.2 rating out of 10, bolstered by a perfect-10 rating for the category of desirability. It ranked lowest (6.2) in quality of life. (photo from visitSeattle.org.)

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#6: Seattle

To answer the question on many people's mind: "No, it doesn't rain all the time," the report said. "The scenery and proximity to nature, perhaps, contribute to Seattle's inherent attitude: one of calm and patience. Locals are mocked for always allowing others to merge on the freeway, but that attitude extends to everyday life, where coffee shops harbor intellectual discussions, and nightlife is more about chilling with a beer at the bar than wild nights on the dance floor."

Don't Edit

The area earned an overall score of 7.3, behind the strongest category of net migration. It ranked lowest in desirability (5.9.) (photo of farmers' market from Arkansas tourism.)

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#5: Fayetteville, Arkansas

"Located in a region that's experiencing drastic growth, Fayetteville – together with Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale – has transformed from a small town to a center of higher education, culture, commerce and entrepreneurialism," according to the report. "The area known as Northwest Arkansas is the birthplace of Wal-Mart, the headquarters of Tyson Foods and the home of the University of Arkansas, the flagship campus of the U of A system."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The city achieved an overall score of 7.3, with highest marks for its job market.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#4: Washington, D.C

"The D.C. population is diverse, with the area's strong job market attracting people from around the world," the report said. "Cultural variation can be seen throughout the metro area, from the colorful Chinatown archway to the Ethiopian and Latin American restaurants lining Adams Morgan's streets."

Don't Edit

The city earned an overall score of 7.4, buoyed by a strong showing in the job market category. The lowest category ranking was for value.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#3: San Jose, Calif.

"San Jose's proximity to other tech headquarters in Silicon Valley, including Google in Mountain View and Apple in Cupertino, cements San Jose's position in the tech hub," according to the report. "But the metro area also retains its character with quirky attractions like the 160-room, maze-like Winchester Mystery House; a 120-acre flea market complete with ponies; and a larger-than-life-size Monopoly board listed in the Guinness Book of World Records."

Don't Edit

The city scored 7.5 overall out of 10, with its strongest category being desirability.

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#2: Denver

Denver topped this list as the best place to live in 2016, but was toppled this year and lands in the No. 2 spot. "Nicknamed the Mile High City for its 5,280-foot elevation (although officially reported as 5,279 feet)," the report notes. "Denver's location at the base of the Rocky Mountains provides a gateway to a slew of outdoor pursuits, although it is probably best known for its devout ski and snowboard enthusiasts."

Don't Edit

The city earned an overall score of 7.8 to earn the top spot on the list, with strong showings in the categories of net migration (9.8) and desirability (8.4.)

Christine Vendel | cvendel@pennlive.com

#1: The winner: Austin, Texas

About 50 people move to Austin every day, drawn to the Texas capital's music, outdoor spaces and cultural institutions," the report said. "Originally named "Waterloo," Austin remains rich in history, from the bronze statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan that greets visitors near the river, to the stately Capitol that anchors downtown, to the LBJ Presidential Library at the University of Texas at Austin."