Johnson City ranks in the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in U.S. for 2018”
It’s no secret that we LOVE our city and are so proud of the area we call home. Johnson City has been growing and developing one of the most unique and exciting communities in the Southeast for years. This year we received recognition form one of the country’s top online research authorities that our growing city is really on to something!
Johnson City was recognized this year as one of the best places in the U.S. to live. The designation was announced by Livability.com, one of the leading online authorities used for researching communities, as part of their “2018 Top 100 Best Places to Live” list.
One of the key characteristics that Livability.com described as placing Johnson City, Tenn., high on their list is the area’s natural beauty—surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and numerous rivers and lakes—as well as its pleasant climate.
The variety of outdoor activities available in the area make it a perfect place to be based for any outdoors enthusiast—from backpacking to mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, biking, and boating. The area also boasts some of the best scenic roads in the U.S.—providing some of the prettiest winding ribbons of pavement for motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts.
Just minutes from the historic Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway, Johnson City is ideal for day trips to escape into nature. Johnson City is also going to be opening a world-class mountain biking park, Tannery Knobs, in 2019. The new park is sure to attract many new tourists, events, and athletes to the area to take advantage of this state-of-the-art facility.
Livability scores cities in seven key areas to calculate their “Best Places to Live” list; these are:
- Amenities—Things to do and fun activities
- Demographics—Cultural and social diversity
- Economy—High-wage jobs and economic growth
- Education—Quality and affordable education options
- Health—Healthcare and medical communities
- Housing—Affordable housing and high level of quality options
- Infrastructure—Local transportation and convenience
Johnson City scored highest in areas that would be very important to those looking for a start the next exciting chapter of life. Affordable housing and economic strength were among the city’s highest scores. The Johnson City area has always had a relatively low cost-of-living compared to the amenities and quality of living it provides. Livability recognized that Johnson City does an amazing job providing a very high quality of life to its residents without the cost of other cities.
Livability.com also noted that Johnson City indexed much higher than the national average as an incubator for small businesses and tech start-up companies, thanks to the city’s focus on entrepreneurial support to intrepid young thought-leaders. Projects like East Tennessee State University’s (ETSU) Innovation Lab provide a great deal of resources and expert support to help those with great new ideas bring them to reality and then find ways to commercialize their solutions. The region also houses an active collaborative community of young business owners, marketers, and artists that give it a healthy small-business structure.
The city also has an amazing artist community, helped by young artists attending Milligan College and ETSU, as well as the growing advertising and digital media industries in the area. The city also boasts a vibrant performing arts community, with many community theaters, orchestras, dance studios, and concert venues. Johnson City hosts many art, music, and food festivals throughout the year, including the famous Blue Plum Festival, to ensure there is always something happening.
Brenda Whitson, Executive Director of the Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “We’re so excited to receive this recognition from Livability.com. We know we have something very special here in Johnson City, and it is exciting to see other authorities recognize it. Johnson City has become home to so many incredible implants from all over the world, and that’s what has helped us grow as a vibrant and diverse community.”
With incredible local independent dining, shopping, and an amazing fine arts and performing arts community, Johnson City has something for anyone. It is exciting to be recognized as one of the best places to live, and the city looks forward to continuing to grow and improve every year.
We hope you will consider Johnson City as you plan your own future. We have so much to offer anyone that is looking to make a positive move forward in their life and career—whether you are a young professional or someone who has worked hard and is looking for the perfect place to settle down for some relaxation. We are confident you’ll find a place here within our community to call your own. Johnson City is growing, and it’s exciting to see authorities recognizing how special our area truly is… all we’re missing is you!