Where you live has a direct impact on how long you live and how many years of good health you enjoy. It’s not just your personal habits that matter when it comes to health, it’s a community's access to green spaces, healthy food, quality medical care and even moderate weather to encourage people to get outside and be active. All of those and more were factors in a new ranking of the healthiest cities in the country.
- Niche has just come out with their list of the Healthiest Places in America.
- They rated cities nationwide on a long list of metrics that range from the rates of obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical inactivity to access to healthcare, healthy food, mental health providers, and recreational/fitness facilities.
- So, what is the healthiest city in the U.S.? For the third consecutive year, Berkeley, California, tops the list.
- The Northern California city is home to more than 50 parks, and many gyms and adult sports leagues to help the community stay physically active.
- That contributes to Berkeley’s low obesity rate of just 23.2%, nearly half of the national average of 40.3%.
- It also has several health food stores and farmer’s markets, many family-friendly activities and gets high scores for access to jobs and affordable housing.
The Top 10 Healthiest Cities in the U.S.
- Berkeley, California
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Irvine, California
- Bellevue, Washington
- Seattle, Washington
- Torrance, California
- San Francisco, California
- Boulder, Colorado
- Pasadena, California
- Sandy Springs, Georgia
Source: Fortune
Scott's Thoughts:
- Looks like the West Coast is the healthiest place to be!
- Being healthy here is harder. The food here tastes so much better. California plate? Bleh! Yuk!
- You can be healthy anywhere.