Aerial view of Richmond.
Richmond has been named one of the Top Best 100 Places to Live by Livability.com, a website that ranks quality of life and travel amenities of America’s small and mid-sized cities.
Richmond ranked 57th on the list. Two other Virginia cities also made the list: Charlottesville (26th) and Newport News (77th).
Palo Alto, Calif. topped the list, followed by Boulder, Colo. Berkeley, Calif., Durham, N.C. and Miami Beach, Fla.
Livability.com said the list is the result of a months-long study of U.S. cities and the factors that make them better places to live, work and play. Those factors were narrowed down to eight categories – economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care – that were used to score and rank cities.
Richmond had a total score of 596 and scored high in health care (88), amenities (77) and education (73).
"The city has a strong business climate with several Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, as well as small businesses, and earned a spot on Forbes' list of The Best Places For Business and Careers. Richmond also features a variety of attractions and activities, and is home to a thriving restaurant scene." the website said.
Charlottesville received a total score of 614. Its highest category score was 89 for health care.
Newport News' total score was 587. The city's best score was in healthcare (88).
No. 1 Palo Alto totaled 646 points.
Livability said it partnered with the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank concentrating on the role of location, place, and city-regions in global economic prosperity, and Ipsos Public Affairs, research firm to compile the list.
