Top 20 Healthiest Cities of 2015

There’s a reason so many people seek out Austin Tx real estate when they’re thinking of a move. It’s also no surprise when it is found when people search phrases such as ”where is the best place to live in Texas?” Austin is a cultural Mecca and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. This is because it offers plentiful employment opportunities, and has some of the best food, entertainment, schools, as well as over 200 live music venues. It also play hosts to ton of festivals from the infamous South by Southwest to the Fun Fun Fun Fest. Everything comes together to embrace the city’s mantra, “Keep Austin Weird.” There’s never a dull moment in this vibrant capital city.

But that’s not all, recently Austin was ranked #16 in Forbes annual list of America’s Healthiest Cities! The cities on the list of Forbes America’s Healthiest Cities list have several things in common. For instance, the leaders of these cities have implemented policies and laws to make sure that locals have easy access to public transportation, nutritious foods, and public parks. They’ve also developed innovative programs to fight disease, and overall increase the quality of life for residents. These cities inspire good health and they are dedicated making wellness a priority. They show us that leading active lives don’t have to be a chore.

Besides Austin, the cities on this distinguished list include: 

#1 Minneapolis, MN – The residents of Minneapolis are more likely to bike or walk to work in the summer. Also, this city boasts a number of bike trails, ball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, dog parks, recreation centers, and golf courses. Then, during the winter, there are a ton of snow sports to participate in as well as fitness centers to visit.

#2 Washington, DC – DC has a higher than average number of tennis courts, swimming pools, and recreation centers. This may contribute to the fact that residents of the capital are less likely to be obese and are more likely to walk or bike to work. Also, the area has higher number of primary health providers than other metropolitan areas.

#3 Boston, MA – Bostonians are known for being active. For example, the city boasts a high percentage of residents who bike or walk to work. This may help keep diabetes and obesity rates lower than average The residents of Boston also make an effort to eat healthfully, the area has tons of farmers’ markets and over 25% of Bostonians report that they eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetable every day.

#4 Portland, OR – Those who reside in the northwest area of the US are known for their love of the outdoors. Also, Portland has a plethora of farmer’s markets, vast amounts of parkland and easy access to health care.

#5 Denver, CO – Denver’s prime location provides residents with easy access to a variety of recreation activities; this is probably why over 50% of the population are considered to have very good or excellent physical health. Also, the cardiovascular disease rates in this area are lower than average and Denver residents are also less likely to have diabetes, be obese, have asthma.

#6 San Francisco, CA – San Francisco boasts a large number of farmers’ markets and other sources of fresh produce. In fact, over a quarter of residents eat at least 5 serving of fresh produce a day. Also, residents are more likely to bike or walk to work, have diabetes or be obese.

#7 Hartford, CT – Hartford boast a large number of ball diamonds, swimming pools, gold course, and recreation centers. The residents of the area eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetable a day. They also have access a to large number of health care providers, which is probably why the residents of this fair city are less likely to have diabetes or be obese.

#8 Seattle, WA – People in the Northwest tend to eat well and spend a lot of time outdoors, this is no different for the residents of Seattle. Also, Seattle has plenty of farmers markets and a higher than average percentage of residents who lead active lifestyles and who bike or walk to work.

#9 Virginia Beach, VA – The resident of Virginia Beach and the rest of the Hampton Roads area have easy access to a number of tennis courts, parks, playground, golf course, ball diamonds. Also, almost 90% of resident have health insurance. As a result, this city boasts lower than average rates of heart disease and angina.

#10 Sacramento, CA – Sacramento boasts a number of playgrounds, golf course, dog parks, parks, swimming pools, and open space areas. Also, about 30% of their residents eat their fruits and veggies. These factors are responsible for the residents of this city being some of the healthiest in America.

#11 San Jose, CA – With an average temperature of 60-80 degrees throughout the whole year, San Jose residents have plenty of time walk, bike, run, and play outside whenever they like, a factor that has contributed to this city making the Forbes coveted list. Families are also encouraged to engage in physical activity through programs that are sponsored by the San Jose’s Parks, Recreations, and Neighborhood Services.

#12 Richmond, VA – Richmond boasts excellent healthcare institutions and excellent air quality. Richmond is also home to over 40 parks that total over 1500 acres. Some of these parks have hiking, biking, and nature trails for the active residents of this city to enjoy.

 

#13 San Diego, CA – San Diego’s mild climate makes it a hub for physical activity. In fact, residents have easy access to a variety of terrain, i.e. mountains, oceans, etc. that give locals a number of options when it comes to physical activity. These include surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and more.

#14 Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati boasts widespread health coverage and quality doctors. There are also a ton of bike and pedestrian paths that make its easy for residents to pedal or walk to everywhere they want to go in the city.

#15 Salt Lake City, UT – Salt Lake City boasts widespread health insurance coverage and there are also a ton of winter and summer activities to keep residents physically fit. These include snowboarding, skiing rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and more.

#16 Austin, TX – A truly healthy city, like Austin makes it easy for its residents to live a healthy, yet fun lifestyle… via reducing air pollution, encouraging preventive medicine, providing quality healthcare, and the variety of activities that are available for residents to engage in. These include kayaking, rock climbing, swimming, exploring, mountain biking, just to name a few.

#17 Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh boasts at least 5 doctors for every 1,000 residents, making this city’s level of healthcare coverage extremely high. Pittsburgh also boast a number of parks, hiking trails, and easy access to water sports.

#18 Atlanta, GA – Over 60% of Atlantans live within a 10 minute walk of a park but there are plenty of other opportunities for residents to engage in physical activity. For instance, this city boasts almost 200 tennis courts and the Chattahoochee River allows residents to engage in a number of waters sports.

#19 Providence, RI. – Providence’s presence of this list is attributed to a number of factors. Some of these include a high number of farmer’s markets, lower death rate for diabetes, high percentage of residents walking or bicycling to work, and a higher state require for psychical education courses.

#20 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore has a ton of options to help its residents remain physically fit. For example the city boast almost 5,000 acres of parkland and there are also a high number of recreation centers, swimming pools, and playgrounds.

So there it is. Quite the list right? No matter what I read about other cities, I sure am glad to live in Austin. Where are you reading this from? If you’re reading this from one of the cities mentioned above, let us know what you think. Are there any additional info that we forgot to mention as to why these cities made the list? Should they have not made the list?