Lifestyle

Madison, Wisconsin, USA downtown skyline at dusk on Lake Monona.

10 of the Best U.S. States To Live In (2024), According to a New Study

Recently, a study dug into the nitty-gritty of all 50 states, looking at housing costs, income growth, hospital quality, education rates, average hours worked per week, and commute times. After crunching all those numbers, the results are in for the ten best states to live in. With 50 states in America, it’s only natural for…

Aerial Autumn Urban Park and Cityscape, Fort Wayne

10 of the Best Run Cities in America, According to a New Report

Balancing diverse public interests with limited resources is no easy feat. City leaders face tough choices every day, like keeping residents happy, allocating city budgets, and managing local taxes. Transparency is more important than ever, and citizens want to know how their local leaders are running their cities. You may not think about how cities…

Panoramic view over the city of Memphis Tennessee - MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 7, 2022

12 of the Best and Worst Places for Veterans to Live in the U.S., According to a New Study

What happens after you spend decades in the military? After years of packing up and moving from place to place and giving up so much for your country? You would hope that veterans are taken care of after devoting so much of themselves to the service. But the unfortunate truth is that it doesn’t always…

Bananas Flambe or Bananas Foster. A portion of sweet caramelized sliced bananas and a flambéed rum sauce served with scoop of vanilla ice cream on white plate. Selective focus, horizontal

12 of the Most Popular Desserts by State

Given America’s vast size and rich diversity, each state has its own favorite sweet treats. Local desserts reflect regional ingredients, historical events, and unique cultural influences. You might be amazed by the incredible stories and flavors behind these popular desserts. Local or tourist, don’t miss out on tasting these state-pride desserts.  My favorite dessert is…

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA - Feb 20, 2023: Admissions Office (Parrish Hall), the main building on the campus of Swarthmore college in winter

12 of the Best Universities in the U.S., According to a New Study

In the U.S., we’re lucky to have a ton of great universities. If you check out global rankings, you’ll see that American schools dominate the list, often leaving other countries with only a handful of representatives. These academies offer amazing resources—small class sizes, cutting-edge technology, low student-to-faculty ratios, and top-notch professors. But here’s the catch:…

Las Vegas, NV - 13 March 2024: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320s in Las Vegas international airport.

The Top 10 U.S. Airlines in 2024, According to a New Study

Choosing the right flight can feel like a puzzle, especially with so many factors to consider. There’s ticket prices, the airline’s reputation, onboard WiFi, baggage handling, and whether they actually arrive on time! A recent report compared domestic airlines across three key areas: baggage and departures, in-flight comfort, and safety.  It might sound weird, but…

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Downtown Skyline Aerial.

12 of the Best Places To Get Married in America, According to a New Study

When it comes to celebrating love, picking the right venue can set the mood for a truly unforgettable day. With America being as vast and diverse as it is, destination weddings have become super popular. Whether it’s a charming spot just down the road, a few hours away, or even a breathtaking location on another…

Newark, New Jersey, USA skyline on the Passaic River.

12 of the Best and Worst Places To Retire in the U.S., According to a New Study

Retirement is a huge life shift, so choosing the right city to enjoy your later years when you finally have control of your timetable is a very important decision. After all, who wants to spend their golden years in the worst possible neighborhood when there are so many great places to live? When I daydream…

Green Bay, Wisconsin. August 9th, 2018. Packer fans during at tailgate party at Lambeau Field. The man wears a cheesehead that says NFL Owner. The Packers are the only publicly owned NFL team.

10 of the Biggest State Rivalries in America

Take a look at history, and you’ll see that nearly every state in the United States has a special nemesis—friendly or not—with neighboring areas. Whether it’s sports, culture, or just some good-natured banter, each state seems to have that one special frienemy.  Why is that? Some adversaries are rooted in a serious, sometimes even brutal,…

Lewiston, Maine, USA - October 26th 2023 - Lewiston Maine after the Shooting

11 “Bad Neighborhoods” in the U.S. That Are Actually Pretty Safe

As a woman, I wouldn’t want to live in a city where I constantly feel unsafe. Walking alone with my pepper spray keychain at the ready is never a good feeling. Having lived in big cities like San Francisco, Barcelona, and San Diego, I’ve found that the hype about so-called “rough neighborhoods” is sometimes overblown….

Spectacular aerial view of Shoshone Falls or Niagara of the West, Snake River, Idaho, United States.

12 of the Most Underrated States in the U.S. For Natural Beauty

Some states popularly known for concrete jungles or corn fields might surprise you with off-the-beaten-path scenery worthy of an Instagram post or two.  I love how travelers think: you have to venture to the ends of the Earth to find those hidden gems. But sometimes, the most beautiful mountains, vistas, and forests are where you’d…

Springfield, Illinois, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.

10 of the Best and Worst U.S. Capital Cities, According to Americans

State capitals are supposed to be the heart of important political decisions, business hubs, and education centers. You’d think they would represent the very best of what each state has to offer, right? But in reality, every capital has its ups and downs. Some are fantastic places to live, while others have their fair share…