These 2 Ohio Cities Ranked In 2020 Top 100 Best Places To Live

Two Ohio cities were ranked as some of the 100 Best Places to Live in America.

Livability.com conducts annual surveys and studies to compile the rankings into a list, whittled down to the top 100 from more than 1,000 considered, the data hub explains.

But, like in many other ways, 2020 prompted a bit of a shakeup.

Researchers had to consider open-ended questions, including “what if you could work remotely and live anywhere,” “what if paying thousands of dollars a month to live in a big, expensive city wasn’t worth it anymore,” and “what if the things that have always mattered — affordability, opportunity, safety, community — mattered more than ever?”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shifted work, school and more into online formats, leaving more people to spend time at home and in their communities.

“Right now, millions of people are reevaluating where they want to live. If you’re one of them, this list is for you,” Livability said. “These 100 cities offer the exact things so many of us are craving right now: connection, affordability, and the space and opportunity to grow.”

Livability also breaks down each ranked city’s top industries, weekend activities, best coffee shops and breweries and more.

Here are the Ohio cities that made the list:

Columbus, No. 11

The Buckeye State’s capital is home to more than 898,500 Ohioans — one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. — bustling with THE Ohio State University tailgates and other celebrations of the eight-time championship-winning team, Livability notes.

But it’s not just about college football.

Top industries include financial, insurance and education, with leading employers like JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance and L Brands, a “retail behemoth.”

Don’t miss a cup of coffee or a pastry at Fox in the Snow or a locally-made beer at Hoof Hearted Brewing, among other Columbus staples.

Cincinnati, No. 42

Aside from its must-have Skyline Chili, Cincinnati is recognizable for its “incredible historical architecture, quirky neighborhoods and accessibility,” snagging a spot on the 100 Best Places to Live list for its third consecutive years.

Its 309,000 residents have plenty of job opportunities to choose from, with 10 Fortune 500 company headquarters and its leading industries that include manufacturing, finance and education.

Check out Cincinnati’s parks, grab a cup of coffee at Collective Espresso, a cider at Rhinegeist Brewery or even a “boozy sundae” at Buzzed Bull Creamery.

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