Top 10 cities to move to in the US

Cities on the list include Arlington, Dallas, Denver, and Minneapolis

Cities including Arlington, Virginia, (pictured) have topped a top 10 list of places to move in the US based on livability. (Getty/iStock)

Choosing where to live in the US can be one of the hardest decisions one might make.

Curbed, an American real estate and design blog, revealed its top 10 cities for people to settle down in that offer different opportunities compared to the country's most populous areas.

To create its list, the blog looked at criteria including walkability, park access, diversity, housing costs, and job opportunities in each city. The criteria then combined to form the overall score of liveability for each city, helping Curbed compile its first-ever top 10 list for cities to move to in the US.

Arlington, Virginia

As the home of the Pentagon, the city was previously seen as an extension of Washington DC for people holding defence jobs, But Arlington is slowly creating an identity of its own, partly with the help of Amazon announcing its newest headquarters, HQ2, in the area.

Amazon's first step to building its second HQ includes two 22-storey buildings, both set to start construction in the coming months and reach completion in 2023. The interest from the tech giant could draw more tech industries in the coming years, bringing in jobs and people.

Although the home prices continue to grow in Arlington, with the median household costing $729,477, the diversity and potential job opportunities boosted the city onto the list.

Boise, Idaho

The most populous city in Idaho has seen a boom in the last decade from people moving away from areas in California in favour of a more affordable market — a point of frustration for longtime Boise residents.

Job opportunities, specifically in the health and tech industries, aided in the boom of people moving to Boise. Cheaper housing, with the median home price $326,789, has also contributed to the interest.

But while the new city boasts amenities that have people itching to move, it also needs to alter to the growing population as traffic increases and the downtown area becomes more packed.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Interest in the city among the millennial generation has encouraged local developers to add a number of skyscrapers filled with apartments to house new residents.

And the city skyline is not the only part changing.

Charlotte also recently added in a light rail system to make accessing areas of the city easier for its residents. Accessibility and its diverse population helped place the southern city on the top 10 places to move to in the coming years.

Dallas, Texas, landed itself on Curbed's top 10 cities to move to for its low housing prices and booming job opportunities. (iStockphoto)

Dallas, Texas

Dallas landed itself on the list for its ability to keep home and apartment prices relatively low, even in the downtown area.

Not only are its low rental prices attracting people to move to the city, but it's also drawing in corporations interested in growing their businesses in the bustling metropolis.

As the most populous city on the list, there is concern it could become the New York City of the south. But Dallas' ability to maintain low housing and rental costs solidifies it as an affordable alternative for city dwellers.

Denver, Colorado

The last decade saw a significant population boom for the Mile High City. While some could credit the increase in residents to the state's decision to regulate marijuana, Denver also boasts a diverse population and growing job opportunities.

Another perk? Denver offers those looking for an adventure the opportunity to leave the city easily to head up to nearby mountain towns.

Like any growing city, Denver has to tackle an increase in traffic when travelling the metro area. But the city is determined to amend the problem by building on its public rail service.

Madison, Wisconsin

People might view Madison as simply a college town, but the city offers more than students.

The small city flaunts a walkable downtown area that makes travelling around a breeze. It also features job opportunities, specifically in the tech industry, with the placement of healthcare IT giant Epic Systems nearby.

To further promote interest from non-college residents, the city is also making building developments a high priority. Prices remain affordable for newer residents with Madison's median home price $277,252

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis experienced a real estate rush in recent years with the interest to redevelop the downtown area into a booming metropolis. Now the city is determined to focus on housing density and keeping homes affordable in the coming years.

What helped place Minneapolis on the list is its accessibility for people to get around seamlessly, whether it be by car or on one of its many bike paths. The city also offers a strong economy with the help of giants like Target in town.

Housing prices are anticipated to increase, but the rates currently remain affordable with $277,252 as the median home price.

Provo, Utah

The least-known city on the list is Provo, Utah. Although the Mountain West city might get overlooked compared to Salt Lake City, it's seen a 20 per cent population growth between 2014 to 2019 due to interest from millennials.

Interest in Provo is, in part, due to a range of job and housing options, attracting people away from the nearby Silicon Valley.

Although diversity and the town's size is lacking, it still earned a place on the list as the city continues to develop into a larger metropolis.

Another city earning its spot on Curbed's list is Raleigh, North Carolina, (pictured) after transforming from an industrial hug to a tech city. (iStock/Getty)

Raleigh, North Carolina

In recent years, Raleigh's transformed from an industrial hub to providing jobs in the tech space for workers. These companies have then changed the warehouses scattered around the city into the ideal spaces for them to grow their businesses.

Besides growing job opportunities, the city also reconstructed its downtown area to provide a space for more businesses.

St Louis, Missouri

St Louis was not a top contender for the list given its issues with diversity and declining population, while also high rankings in areas like walkability and transit. Curbed listed the city for its potential to grow into a new Midwestern hub, though, with companies like Microsoft and Square coming in.

The city has to answer for its low appeal for a diverse population, but there is potential for it to encourage startups to join the larger companies in developing the area.