Grand Rapids Is The 13th Best Place To Live In America

When is 13 a lucky number? When your hometown lands as the '13th Best Place To Live' according to US News And World Report.

The annual list takes into account the job market, quality of life, and something they refer to as “the value of living there and people’s desire to live there.”

According to the publication, US News "analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life."

They described living in Grand Rapids like this:

A scenic spot perched on the Grand River – Michigan's longest waterway – Grand Rapids has evolved from its 19th-century roots as a hub of furniture production to the modern-day city that is attracting college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing and outdoor recreational activities.

But it's us, the people who live here, who helped put GR over the top:

Midwest friendliness is no exaggeration in Grand Rapids, which, despite being the second largest city in Michigan, exudes small-town warmth. Walk down almost any residential street in Grand Rapids, and you'll often be met with a wave and a "hello" from people caring for their lawns or hanging out on porches.

The top 10 cities in the rankings:

Denver
Austin, TX
Fayetteville, AR
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Colorado Springs, CO
Boise, ID
Seattle
Washington, DC
San Francisco
San Jose, CA