According to a new report by Livability.com, Boise and Meridian are two of the Top 100 Best Places to Live. The company ranked more than 1,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 1,000,000 using data from Esri. They calculate their “LivScore” using more than 40 data points across eight categories. The categories are amenities, demographics, education, economy, health care, housing, social and civic capital, transportation, and infrastructure.
The company also partnered with market research firm, Ipsos, to survey more than 1,000 millennials about the factors that are most important to them when deciding where to live. According to their research, the main themes were affordability, job opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. They wanted to make sure their top 100 reflected things that mattered most to people.
With all things considered, Boise landed at number 35 on the Top 100 Best Places to Live list while Meridian checked-in at 73. The report touted the Capitol City’s non-existent commute times, affordable housing, top-notch schools, and proximity to nature. It also spoke highly of the available careers in technology, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Meridian, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, was recognized for its strong economy, affordable cost of living, and its pro-business climate. Like Boise, manufacturing and healthcare were two of the leading industries, which included construction and service in the mix as well.
With Boise expected to be a strong real estate market in 2021, finding itself among the nation’s best places to live is not surprising. And with Money Magazine naming Meridian one of its best places to live, Meridian is quickly becoming a top destination for people to move to, given its bustling economy and rapid growth.
The accolades for Idaho and its cities will continue, and those of us already living here know that the quality of life is unparalleled.
Photo Credit: iStock.com/knowlesgallery
