PROVIDENCE, RI — The best place in Rhode Island to plant roots for a lifetime is Providence, according to Fortune’s new ranking of the nation’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families.
In the analysis, Fortune said Providence, which has a population of 193,252, received the honor for its access to excellent colleges, employment opportunities, and its burgeoning arts and nightlife scene.
“Providence hosts its own restaurant week and pride parade,” Fortune wrote about Rhode Island’s capital. “It’s proud of its LGBTQ+ scene, which includes several gay bars including Mirabar, the third-oldest gay bar in the U.S. It also celebrates the history of its Black community, from the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society’s exhibit on Black entrepreneurs to its Early Black History Walking Tour, featuring many Black-owned restaurants.”
Fortune said its list reflects qualities people look for when they decide where to raise families and retire.
“A great place to live not only supports families in the present but also serves them in the long term. With a growing portion of Americans caring for both children and aging parents, more people want to live where multigenerational families can thrive,” the news outlet said.
Fortune said it analyzed more than 2,000 cities and nearly 200 data categories, which included livability, financial health, resources for aging adults, education and wellness.
The cities chosen, one for each state, are sustainable for both their youngest and oldest residents and include fast-growing suburbs and edge cities that find creative ways to improve people’s well-being, Fortune said.
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