Where do you think is the best place to live in the U.S.? I'm asking all of you because I'm assuming all of you do a lot of travelling and are experienced at comparing one city to another. Feel free to give multiple answers:
Best place to live for singles:
Best place to live for couples w/o kids:
Best place to raise a family:
Best place to retire:

Looking forward to hearing all your answers!

Why, Chicago is the best place for all of the above. Look no where else!

Gary Indiana, of course!

Best places for couples without kids & best place to raise a family:Westchester County NY.Accessible to the City,superior schools,top paying jobs,open minded,educated people,good quality of life.

Seattle is the best place to live because it has the beautiful nature surrounding the city. There is a diverse culture and great places to eat. The winter isn't bad like other places in the U.S. So, it's the best place for singles, couples, families, and retirees alike.

California! No question about it! No other place has beaches, cities, moutains for skiing, mountains for hiking, redwoods, deserts, and suburbs!

I do a lot of traveling for my work and I've been to cities all across the US. I can't say much about the South, except I don't mind Dallas, TX. But I have to say that New York is up there for one of the best places to live. The city appeals to the young crowd, but it's a good place for families to settle in the suburbs, like in NJ. No city offers more than NYC!

I too travel alot for business, and see alot of cities. I live in Minneapolis, and I love it. But I get sick of everyone boosting their own city on these threads. So here it goes:

Singles: Chicago
Couples/no kids: New York
Family: This is where I say Minneapolis, but also Nashville or Portland
Retire: Central California - Santa Barbara or surround area

Best place for single women: Norfolk VA. (or Virginia Beach)

I got my first job out of grad school there and knew nothing about it. The day before I left for Norfok, a friend informed me it was a Navy town. I was horrified as I had grown up during the Viet Nam crisis and had a lot of prejudices.

Living in Norfolk was an eye opener! I discovered the Navy was a rich resource of eligible (and sometimes secretly ineligible!) men. In fact, men outnumbered women in town 3:1, and the officers were well-educated, well-traveled and many were real gentlemen and men of great character.

I met my husband, who was a Naval officer, while I lived there. Today, twenty years later, he is as wonderful as he was the day I married him. We left Norfolk long ago, but what can I say? "Virginia is for lovers."

Norfolk is also the best place to meet gay sailors. They're everywhere if you know how to look.

I'd vote for Seattle which is why I live here. Northern California is beautiful too. Luckily not everyone would agree with this or this place would be even more crowded than it is!

New York State is a perfect place to live for many wonderful reasons.

To raise a family:
Rochester, MN is a great place to live. Great schools, great medical facilities, clean, and close to Mpls./St. Paul.

OK, let's not slam on other cities... just say which city you like and why. For me, I'd say that the midwest has the best combination of good education, affordable housing, safe cities, etc., which makes it best for families. But the east or west coasts are the best suited for singles, young couples, retirees. Now this is just a generalization I know. But with a family of my own, I'd like to stick with the midwest, like Chicago, Mnpls, KC, and so on. Thanks.

I agree with Mike, that the coasts typically have a better scene for singles, but that the midwest is a mecca for families. Schools, healthcare, and better cost of living are all suited for raising a family.

I LOVE Manhattan, but have no idea how I would ever raise a family of 4 in a $400K 1 BR condo.

ttt

Single/Newly Married - Washington DC, cosmopolitan enough to keep things interesting, but small enough to make it easy to get to know and get from one place to another without undue hassele; lots of free museums and nice parks and romantic areas

Raising families - CT; close to NYC and New England, good schools, good weather

Retirement- don't know yet.

Denver

Michigan is Beautiful if you live water and all seasons.

Singles: Chicago...nothing compares.
Couple w/out: Chicago
Family: St. Louis - great schools, affordable...
Retire: Scottsdale, AZ.