20 best cities for staying young
Want to be forever young? Find out where you should be living, according to RealAge.
RealAge reviewed two dozens factors -- including stress, smoking rates, diet and exercise -- to determine the best U.S. cities to live in if you want to stay young. Here are the Top 20:
RealAge reviewed two dozens factors -- including stress, smoking rates, diet and exercise -- to determine the best U.S. cities to live in if you want to stay young. Here are the Top 20:
20. Houston -- Houston is a beehive of economic activity -- putting it in the healthy No. 2 spot for gainful employment and at No. 7 for high incomes.
19. Atlanta -- This Southern metropolis ranks high for its spirit of optimism and low rates of anger and stress.
18. Phoenix -- The country's sixth-largest city is home to an optimistic, largely anger-free population and ranks 25th overall in exercise.
16. Chicago -- Chicagoans rank high for getting ample amounts of exercise, sound sleep and healthy-for-you whole grains.
15. Miami -- Many Miamians enjoy extremely robust sex lives, and very low rates of smoking and drinking.
14. Seattle -- Home to famous Pike's Place Market, with its abundance of fresh seafood and produce, Seattle not surprisingly ranks No. 6 in fruit and veggie intake and -- despite the cloudy weather -- No. 1 for healthy vitamin D levels.
13. New York -- New Yorkers are third best for income as well as moderate alcohol consumption among women, and fourth best in exercise and taking aspirin.
12. Hartford, Conn. -- This prosperous New England city ranks second for insurance and best for the fewest falls, both of which help keep inhabitants healthy and safe.
11. Sacramento, Calif. -- Residents in California's state capital are diligent about taking aspirin, managing stress and eating a smart diet.
10. Los Angeles -- SoCal dwellers maintain plenty of heart-healthy habits, including exercise, eating fruits and veggies, taking aspirin and not smoking.
9. Washington, D.C. -- Washington ranks best among RealAge cities for income and a healthy third for employment. Both provide residents solid financial resources to look after their health.
8. Austin, Texas -- Folks in the capital of Texas can brag about the best employment rate among RealAge cities, which helps foster the lowest stress and second-best optimism in the country.
7. Boston -- Boston is best for health insurance coverage and nabs the No. 2 spot for healthiest cholesterol.
6. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C. -- The famous "Research Triangle" area ranks third for healthy cholesterol and fifth for healthy blood pressure. It's also fifth for strong employment levels.
5. Denver -- Residents of the Mile High City and its neighbor Boulder rank best in the country for optimism. They're also third best for exercise.
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul -- Minneapolis-St. Paul is best when it comes to eating whole grains, which helps residents have the best blood pressure, too. It's also second best for low stress, and third best for adequate sleep and vitamin D.
3. San Diego -- Sun-drenched San Diego is the best city for exercise. It's also third best for optimism and fourth best for not smoking.
2. Salt Lake City -- This region is the best place for happy marriages and second best for not smoking.
1. San Francisco -- Bay Area residents rank first for gobbling fruits and veggies, and second for eating whole grains. They're also best in the nation for not smoking and second best for exercise.
