Thrifty Thinking: Best Cities for Families

Raising a family costs serious money. Families looking for the best cities to raise a family look for reasonable housing costs, great schools, good medical care, and low unemployment rates. Media outlets all have their own opinions on the best cities for families, but these four cities appear on many of these lists and have some of the lowest housing prices in the US.

Austin, Texas

Austin is home to some of the nation's largest tech companies, so jobs are not hard to find. After work, take advantage of the pleasant year-round weather and head to one of the many city pools or to Town Lake for a quiet evening of fishing with your kids.

Since Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, teens will always have concerts and musical festivals to attend. Shopping is another pastime, with dozens of farmers' markets for fresh goods and produce. Capital Metro makes it easy to get around the city or to the many family doctors and pediatricians.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison holds more than the honor of being one of the best cities for families. It is also known for being a leading green city in terms of jobs and transportation options. Madison is also ranked one of the healthiest cities in the US.

The Madison Children's Museum is one of the best in the nation according to Parents Magazine. To entertain your kids there is the Vilas Park Zoo, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and the stunning Cave of the Mounds.

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Neighboring cities Minneapolis and St. Paul are close to each other but very different in nature. St. Paul is ideal for families who want a quiet, no-stress lifestyle. Minneapolis is a little more vibrant and exciting for those in love with city life. Regardless of where you live, the Minneapolis Skyway allows you to walk safely over city streets in heated walkways. There's also the metro, offering bus and rail transportation.

For family-friendly entertainment, hit the beaches at the Chain of Lakes, visit the Minnesota Zoo, or catch a show at Guthrie Theater. There is also the gigantic Mall of America, where you can shop, eat, and visit an amusement park all under the same roof.

Rochester, New York

When it comes to finding work, Rochester never disappoints. Rochester is home to huge companies like Kraft and Mott's, so jobs are available in many fields. After work, parents have plenty of options for entertaining their children. The city is home to the Strasenburgh Planetarium, Seneca Park Zoo, and the Rochester Museum and Science Center. There's also the Toy Hall of Fame at Strong's Children Museum. For sports enthusiasts, the city has several baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and soccer minor league teams.

Head into nature and enjoy the beaches that border Canandaigua Lake and Lake Ontario. With public transportation covering all corners of the city, you don't even need a car if you're in Rochester. You can also drive about 60 minutes out of town and view the spectacular Niagara Falls. Finally, the excellent public schools prepare students for a secondary education at RIT or the University of Rochester.

Some cities have lost favor over the years. Burlington, Vermont, still tops lists for the healthiest city, but increases in drug crimes and lowered school performance impact its appeal for families. Boston, another popular choice, has much higher housing costs, which makes it hard for families on a budget to afford life in the historic city. In the end, your own research and knowledge of your budget should be your deciding factor.

This article was provided by Samantha Greenbaum, family-centric mother of two.  If you've decided the best place for your family is in Texas and are looking to do some repairs on your newly purchase fixer-upper, Samantha recommends checking out roofing in Dallas.