Ever wondered what it would be like to live outside of Southern California? With more and more Angelenos spending time living in multiple cities across the country, we decided to put together a list of six fantastic U.S. cities for you to discover and consider living in (part time, of course!).
New York City
New York City tops our list simply because it’s utterly iconic. You’ve got Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, countless museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History, Broadway plays, incredible events, world-class shopping and dining, and tons more. Manhattan is a fantastic place for the 1% – a playground for the elite where everything has an urbane yet classic city vibe.
Every day in New York City is an opportunity to explore something new, and with so much to see and do, it will take you a while to check off everything on your bucket list. Every cuisine in the world is represented here, and some of the top restaurants and dining hotspots in the world are in New York City.
Plus, as an added bonus, the Hamptons are just a short ferry ride away, the perfect place to build another sprawling estate overlooking your own slice of the Atlantic.
Westchester, NY
America’s wealthiest music artist Jay-Z once eloquently stated that New York City is the “Concrete Jungle that dreams are made of”, but according to Matthew E. Gluck, Broker and Founder of NestEdge Realty, there is one serious issue with the city: it’s near impossible to raise a family due to poor access to top schools and financial burdens that often outprice all but the very top 1%. So, where is the next best place?
Fifteen miles north of New York City is Westchester County, which boasts a gorgeous and bucolic landscape and mates it with top rated school districts, manageable and predictable commutes to Manhattan and a wide-ranging housing stock with a property for every taste and budget, according to Jamie Fosgate, Agent at NestEdge Realty. The county also enjoys above-average home appreciation and is home to a number of prestigious communities in close proximity to Manhattan.
To learn more, visit nestedgerealty.com.
Chicago
Another old-world city with new-world charm is Chicago. The beautiful Chicago River is where all the action is. Skyscrapers jut up deep into the clouds, much like New York City, but with a vibe completely its own.
There are some similarities – they’re both among the largest and busiest cities in the U.S., they both have incredible restaurants, and they both feature plenty of landmarks. But there are key differences too. Namely, Chicago is right on Lake Michigan which is easy to walk to and is the place to have fun in the summer. The lake is so vast, it looks like an ocean and you’ll find all the watersports and beachside activities you love in Southern California here.
Don’t forget about all the Chicago landmarks like Millennium Park, the John Hancock Building and its observation deck (plus the one in the former Sears Tower), the Field Museum, and the Chicago Theatre, to name a few.
Jackson Hole
If you’re raising your eyebrows at this entry, kindly lower them. Jackson Hole has become quite the place for the affluent to live. It’s not some remote place with tumbleweeds rolling through, but rather a less-populated place that’s ideal for the nature-lover in you.
There are plenty of national parks for getting outdoors, plus every season brings with it new activities to enjoy. Winter features every snow sport imaginable, plus the opportunity to pamper and hydrate your skin at some truly luxurious spas. Summer is where horseback riding, hiking, camping and even glamping, golf and plenty of family fun come into play.
One distinct advantage Jackson Hole has over our other locations is that it’s off the beaten path, but it’s not a one-horse town. In fact, the dining scene here rivals some of the bigger cities, only there’s not as long a wait to get a good table in the hottest places.
If you’re undecided, book a flight over and see for yourself. Amidst the elk and nature, there’s a completely elegant place to live that is still one of the best-kept secrets for luxury living in America.
Miami
Why not try the other coast for your next residence? Miami is like New York in that it never sleeps (it doesn’t even blink) but it stays relatively warm all year. Locals complain when the temperatures dip into the 70s, so if staying somewhere warm and urban is what you want, Miami delivers.
Miami has it all with an immaculate dining scene, iconic landmarks like South Beach, the Coral Castle, Vizcaya, and the Everglades, and the amazing shopping on Lincoln Road and in Bal Harbour, and much more. Plus, beaches are everywhere. Take a visit and stay in one of the stunning hotels towering over the beach. While there, dip your toes in the sand and enjoy 5-star service with drinks and food brought right out to you on the beach. This is the kind of place where you’ll say, “This is the life.”
Another thing to know is Miami is a cultural mecca. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained from VIP clubs to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts where you can catch those Broadway plays without the colder temperatures. The cuisine in Miami is also incredibly diverse and divine, with a whole subcategory of Floridian foods like stone crabs, a heavenly delicacy only available October through May, Floribbean foods, and an abundance of home-style Cuban eats.
There’s much going on in Miami. Whether you choose to go wild, go for the watersports, or simply indulge in your own world of opulence, you will find it beyond your expectations.
Honolulu
Waikiki is most definitely the place to be where splendid dining of local and international origins both await to tempt your palate. Shopping and nightlife here give you much to do day or night, but that crescent-shaped beach is the place to be.
For a more idyllic and laid-back place, you should move to Honolulu if you want something more tropical with less chaos. The Polynesian vibe certainly helps with that. Your view will always be the Diamond Head crater, plus you can learn about the famous WWII Pearl Harbor site just nearby. There are national parks to explore, ukulele and hula lessons to take, surfing and other water sports, and of course, luaus, where life is a fantastic celebration every day.
Las Vegas
Imagine an oasis where palm trees meet fresh desert air. Where you can golf in the morning, lounge poolside in the afternoon and dine gourmet at night. Once thought of as Sin City – a place to merely gamble and live out the infamous “what happens in Vegas…” punchline, Las Vegas has undergone a massive transformation within the last decade. Today, it’s one of the very best places to live in the country.
No state income tax and new luxury housing options makes it a great choice for those looking for luxury living without some of the outrageous California prices and taxes. Brand-new, gated communities with palm tree-lined streets have sprung up in the desert sand, accompanied by lush green fairways, ponds and walking paths.
Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world for good reason. Whether it’s playing at the casino, watching a show or taking in a pro sports game at one of the new stadiums, there is always something fun and exciting to do. With 50+ golf courses, hundreds of miles of hiking trails (don’t miss the scenic Red Rocks!), spa and fitness centers, even skiing only 20 minutes away at Mt. Charleston, you will be able to get out and enjoy recreation and relaxation. Plus, you will always eat great food with over 2,000 restaurants of all types and price ranges, including many with world-renown chefs! The shopping in Las Vegas is world-class as well.
