America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up - U.S. News & World Report
Low crime, strong schools, green spaces, and fun activities are key ingredients for a happy childhood
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Madison, Alabama
- San Jose, California
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Boston
- Denver
- Rochester, Minnesota
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Plano, Texas
- Edison, New Jersey
Cedar
Rapids, Iowa: It would be tough to find a safer community than Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, where the crime index is about a fifth of the national average. And with a
solid school system, plenty of fun activities, and affordable housing costs,
this eastern Iowa city can keep your kids happy without emptying your wallet.
Tim Boyle, the executive director of the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau, says the city's manageable size—it has just 123,000
residents—allows its young people to get involved in a variety of different
activities. "The thing that I like about Cedar Rapids is you could end up with a
junior or senior in high school who is an offensive tackle on the football team
and has the lead in the spring musical," Boyle says. In addition to a strong
music program in its public schools, the area has more than 50 public tennis
courts, more than 75 parks, 23 sand volleyball courts, and even a BMX dirt
track. During the winters, which can get extremely cold, children can remain
active on three indoor soccer fields and five ice-skating rinks. - U.S. News & World Report
Some other thoughts in why Cedar Rapids is a great place to grow up:
The Cedar Rapids area schools are outstanding. Our faith communities play a key role in our local quality of life, with the variety of choices available. It's nice to see our community recognized in this way. Our local government needs to maintain its priorities:
- Public Safety
- Public Infrastructure
- Delivery of Public Services
- Finance
- Parks
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