I have been fortunate enough to live in several states. I moved around a lot when I was young because of my father’s career and as I aged, I kept that nomadic spirit. I also spent a large part of my younger years as a freelance writer and journalist, a job that made it easy to move around, spending a few weeks here and a few weeks there. This helped when I eventually got into real estate, as I could honestly say why one region was better than another and was able to sell houses pretty much everywhere.
In my time as a writer, nomad and realtor, these are the places that stood out the most for me. I didn’t live in all of them, but I have spent a lot of time in them and can safely say they are some of the best places to live, and to visit, in the United States.
6. Louisville, Kentucky
The city of Louisville is known for being the home of Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers, sports stars and personalities that ever lived. As you would expect, it’s pretty proud of its history and you can find art, mementoes and exhibitions relating to the great Cassius Clay everywhere you go.
It’s not just boxing fans that will get a kick out of visiting Louisville, though. The city also has an extensive history relating to horse racing and baseball, as it’s the home of the Louisville Slugger, with the museum and factory of the Slugger both located here, and the Kentucky Derby.
Like all good southern cities, Louisville is also filled with great eateries, great bourbon, and friendly locals. I spent two months here when I was younger and while I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it beforehand, I didn’t want to leave by the end. There is something to do every single day and life in Louisville is like one big party.
5. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a beautiful location in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has some breathtaking natural wonders and is great for hikers, but the built-up areas are also perfect for cultural travelers. The locals are creative, young, friendly and hip—the perfect place to meet new friends and have new experiences.
There are a huge number of book stores and other intellectual pursuits in the city. It’s also where you will find the famous Biltmore Estate, which is the largest home in the United States of America. If you like a bit of culture and want to live amongst it, or you want an educational vacation, pay a visit to Asheville.
4. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is one of the most charming cities in the United States and epitomizes everything that is great about the south, from the famous hospitality to the food and the historic sites. There are some very old—and apparently haunted—buildings here and you will also find a number of tours, museums and galleries.
Savannah is also home to a plethora of award-winning eateries, not to mention some great bars and clubs.
3. Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is an overlooked destination that deserves a lot more respect than it gets. It has some of the best food of any city in the US and is a great place to experience that famous southern hospitality.
There are also some historic sites and museums and Kansas City is a great place to explore a little local history. One of the standout locations is the Lewis and Clark Historic Park at Kaw Point, which spans several acres and provides some amazing views. The city is also considered to be a hotspot for motor racing fans, and there are a number of great jazz clubs as well.
The house prices are very cheap in comparison to other big cities and you get a lot for your money.
2. La Push, Washington
La Push is very remote, but it’s made for tourists. The area is located near the Quillayute River and is run by the Quileute tribe, who inhabit the area and have turned into in a have for tourists seeking some sun, sea and seclusion. It’s to just about relaxation and seclusion either, as you can take boats out to watch whales and seas, you ca go hiking and swimming, and there are also some amazing natural sights to drink in, including beautiful beaches and shoreline.
Animal lovers will also be happy to know that the area is a hotspot for eagles and other majestic large birds, so be sure to bring your camera.
It’s not exactly a great place to live, as it’s way out there, but as a tourist destination you can’t go wrong and if given the chance I would happily move nearby just so I could visit on the regular.
1. Destin
The city of Destin is located on the Emerald Coast, Florida. It is a favorite with local tourists, but isn’t as well known across the United States and international tourists always overlook it in favor of Orlando and Miami.
The beaches that surround Destin are breathtakingly beautiful, with sand as white as sugar thanks to the existence of many fine quartz particles. It’s unique, to say the least, and even if you’ve spent time in the Caribbean, Greece and Australia you may not have seen anything like this.
That’s not all either. As beautiful as the sand is, no one is going to drive or fly hundreds of miles just to catch a glimpse. You might, however, drive hundreds of miles to see swim with dolphins, do a spot of parasailing, or enjoy the great food and activities found on shore.
Destin boat rides are also very cheap, as there is a lot of competition here, so you don’t even need a lot of cash to see the dolphins.
