When thinking about the best place to live, many people only think of those large, famous cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, or Seattle, but what many people don’t realize is that often the best places to live are those slightly less known towns and cities. In these communities you will often find a more peaceful, close-knit atmosphere and slightly slower pace of life. However, if smaller towns and cities don’t have everything you want from a big city, many of these cities are located within driving distance from other major cities.

One of the best places to live is Albuquerque, New Mexico. With its sunny climate and beautiful natural landscapes, Albuquerque has a rich history and unique mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. The city is especially popular for its International Balloon Fiesta and numerous golf courses and hiking and biking trails. Another great city to live in is Austin, Texas, which is the ideal place to live for any music or barbecue lover. Numerous performing arts venues can be found in Austin, and the city offers a high tech economy, with major employers including Dell and IBM. Some other excellent cities to live in include Boise, Idaho, Durham, North Carolina, Loveland, Colorado, and St. Augustine, Florida.