Scottsdale, Arizona

• Snowbirds have the right idea when they head to the Southwest to avoid the cold. Scottsdale, Arizona has beautiful weather: the average temperature in February is a cool 70 degrees. Summer temperatures can rise to triple digits, but many homes in Scottsdale have pools.
  
  Scottsdale is a growing city with a vibrant nightlife. In Old Town Scottsdale, you can find a dinner theater, multiple art galleries, a modern art museum and a fashion square with high-end stores like Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton.
  
  This desert city is a great place to raise children: Chaparral High School met all Federal Adequate Yearly Progress markers and scored high on state tests.
  
  

Alexandria, Virginia

• This city is along the beltway, with Washington, D.C. just a 20-minute drive. The city is full of history and charm. The city is very family-oriented, offering many parks, recreation centers and a farmer's market is held every weekend. Cultural centers like the Smithsonian museums and the Holocaust museum are just a metro ride away as well.
  
  Unemployment tends to stay lower than the national average in Alexandria: according to a state press release, the Washington metro area (including Alexandria) had the second-best ranking of the 49 metro areas. Thus, those who value job growth and stability can find Alexandria as an attractive prospect.
  
  

San Francisco, California

• The Bay Area is a haven for all walks of life. Those aspiring to be any number of professions can find a niche in San Francisco; the city houses some of the best restaurants, corporations, theaters and art galleries in the world.
  
  Though living in the heart of the city can be expensive, surrounding neighborhoods along the BART line can be less expensive, like Hayward, Daly City and Richmond. Splitting the rent with roommates can also ease the cost of living.
  
  

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• The home of the Iowa Hawkeyes is also home to many down-to-earth, honest Midwestern families. CNNMoney.com ranked Cedar Rapids as one of the "Best Places to Live in 2006" for its low housing prices, high-ranked universities and a combination of other factors.
  
  Crime rates are notably low in the city, giving parents a sigh of relief regarding the whereabouts of their children. The community is tight-knit, sporting the black and gold colors of the university's football team on many lawns. The camaraderie exuded by the city's residents can be very welcoming for those used to staying anonymous in a larger, urban city.
  
  

Portland, Oregon

• Eco-friendly people looking to live in a like-minded town should head to Portland. The city offers great public transportation for those who choose to live on the outskirts of the city. The city website outlines many environmentally friendly initiatives, like pesticide-free parks and a detailed recycling program. For other initiatives, see Resources below.
  
  For those who can bear the rain notorious in the Pacific Northwest, Portland is a great city with many yoga studios, the famous Powell's bookstore, coffee houses and ethnic cafes.