How has the quality of life ranking in major cities in the USA changed in recent years?

Quality of life research

The analytical team at Resonance Consultancy conducted a study aimed at determining the quality of life in major metropolitan areas of the United States with populations exceeding half a million. The research utilized both official data and feedback from residents on key indicators.

Main categories of research

The first aspect of the research was“place”, covering elements such as climate conditions, safety levels, and opportunities for outdoor activities. The second aspect, referred to as“institutions”I explored not only the presence of well-known attractions but also the overall development of the infrastructure.

• the number of air transportations;
• the presence of cultural institutions;
• educational institutions;
• professional sports teams.

Leisure and population

The next aspect of the analysis is"leisure"which included an assessment of the diversity of restaurants, shops, clubs, and the frequency of cultural events. Next came the categorypopulationin which the main focus was on the quality of educational systems.

Wealth and popularity in the media

In the category"well-being"The state of households, unemployment levels, and overall quality of life parameters were examined. The last category on the list turned out to be“popularity in the media”analyzing the number of mentions and recommendations on the internet.

Top 5 cities by quality of life

As a result of the analysis, a list of five cities with a high quality of life has been compiled. In first place once again isNew York— the largest city in the country, which has successfully maintained its position in this ranking for seven years. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the authorities are actively working to bring back both local residents and the 70 million who chose New York as their home in 2019, investing 46 billion dollars in local real estate.

Forecasts and plans

According to experts' forecasts, by 2022, New York is expected to reach 85% of its maximum potential. A full return to pre-pandemic conditions is anticipated by 2024. These positive changes will be made possible by improvements in transportation infrastructure:

• New terminals are opening at three airports in the city.
• The main train station, Moynihan Train Hall, is undergoing renovation.

Cultural life and active recreation

The unique cultural atmosphere of the metropolis will also contribute to an increase in tourist traffic. Just recently, the Louis Armstrong House Museum reopened after renovations, and establishments like the Bronx Children's Museum and the Frick Madison sculpture and painting museum have moved to new, modern facilities. Additionally, new cultural spaces are opening, including the Dia Chelsea art gallery and the Broadway Museum.

New initiatives for active recreation

A new island park is being created for outdoor enthusiasts, connecting to the park located along the Hudson River. A viewing platform is planned to be installed here.Summit One Vanderbiltin the famous skyscraper of imported Manhattan, which will include glass elevators and exhibition spaces, as well as attractions from Kenzo Digital.

Readiness for the influx of tourists

In general, New York is actively gearing up to attract tourists and visitors, as an increase of 9,000 hotel rooms is expected in 2022. Thus, the metropolis continues to prepare for a new wave of interest and tourist influx, which will once again confirm its status as one of the most attractive cities on the planet for both travelers and locals. It's also worth noting the plans for acquiring housing in New York.

The impact of the pandemic on Los Angeles

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic situation in Los Angeles deteriorated sharply, putting the city on the brink of financial collapse. There was a significant increase in the number of infections and fatalities for an extended period. Although the situation gradually began to improve, the city still faced a serious road to recovery.

The summer of 2021 saw the unemployment rate in Los Angeles reach nearly 10%, significantly higher than the national average of 6.2%. Throughout the current year, Los Angeles has not even made it into the top hundred cities in the U.S. for employment and income, ranking only 106th.

Nevertheless, experts predict a latent demand in California and hope for an increase in tourist appeal, linking the future of Los Angeles to the implementation of major infrastructure projects, which should help reduce the unemployment rate.

Culinary culture of Los Angeles

As of today, Los Angeles is already taking a leading position in certain areas. In particular, the city has gained recognition for its culinary culture and has started to be noted asthe best in AmericaIn terms of taste and variety of restaurants, the largest culinary festival in the country was held here in April.

Despite the loss of restaurants due to the pandemic, there were 425 restaurants operating in Los Angeles before COVID-19, and by the summer of 2022, that number had decreased to 325. In addition, experts emphasize the cosmopolitan nature of the city:

• Citizens from more than 140 countries live here.
• They speak 220 languages.

Cultural life and art

In addition, Los Angeles ranks second in the U.S. for the number of museums. Many exhibition spaces have either already opened or are preparing to open after the crisis, which promises the most dynamic art season in the last three years.

Transport infrastructure

The city's developed transportation infrastructure is also noteworthy. Los Angeles International Airport is undergoing extensive renovations of all nine terminals, and a new automated transportation system between them is expected to launch in 2023. Additionally, a new underground metro line is planned to open in the fall of 2022.

San Francisco as a city of opportunities

San Francisco, which also went through tough times due to the pandemic, remains a dream destination for many adventure seekers. Since the Gold Rush era, this city has attracted people looking for quick success.

Trends in Startup Relocation

Despite their proximity to well-known institutions like Stanford and the University of California, as well as Silicon Valley, it can be observed that many startups are increasingly choosing to register in Texas and Florida.

The pandemic had a devastating impact on San Francisco's economy, which heavily relied on tourism. As a result, the city lost six positions and now ranks 63rd in terms of unemployment among the largest cities in the country.

The impact of the pandemic on tourism

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of arrivals has decreased by more than half, and their spending has dropped bystunning 77.7%The complete recovery of the tourism sector is not expected until 2023, according to forecasts. The city is actively preparing for the return of tourists by launching large-scale initiatives to expand bike lanes and improve pedestrian areas.

The updated Salesforce Park in the city center and new projects in the Presidium Park highlight the growing focus on infrastructure and urban development.

Problems and recovery of Chicago

Chicago, in turn, also faced serious challenges during the pandemic. This city became one of the hardest hit in the U.S.: there was a decline in economic indicators and a significant drop in the number of tourists.

Nevertheless, experts are confident that the recovery of Chicago's economy will happen quite quickly due to the active involvement of the business sector. Chicago ranks second in terms of the number of headquarters of the largest companies, second only to New York.

Attractions in Chicago

• O'Hare International Airport has fully resumed operations and has surpassed all other airports in the country in terms of the number of flights served.
• Large business events and conferences are making a comeback in Chicago.
• According to the publication Site Selection, in 2021 the city was recognized for the eighth consecutive time as the leader among major metropolitan areas in attracting corporate investments.
• McCormick Place, the exhibition and conference center on the shores of Lake Michigan, has been named the best in its category in the United States.

Cultural events

However, business is not the only aspect that shapes life in Chicago. Summer holidays and festivals have returned to the city, bringing life to the urban parks. In terms of leisure quality in green areas, Chicago ranks ninth in the country.

The city, often referred to as "the Chicago that never sleeps," ranks second after New York in terms of nightlife and holds third place in the national ranking for culinary culture.

The development of Washington

Washington, as the capital of the United States, effectively attracts the attention of both locals and the international community. According to Google, Washington D.C. became the most sought-after region in the country in 2021.

Construction is actively underway in Washington, and analysts note that delays caused by the pandemic will only accelerate the pace of urban development.

Investments in construction

Significant investments have already arrived in the capital: the construction sector has attracted more than10.3 billion dollarsLast year. Thus, despite all the economic difficulties, cities continue to adapt and develop, creating comfortable conditions for living and working.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined a study conducted by analysts at Resonance Consultancy, which analyzes the quality of life in major metropolitan areas of the United States. The ranking, based on various indicators, shows that New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco continue to be among the leading cities in the country, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

New York

New York, as before, holds the top spot, and it's no surprise. The city is actively recovering, making significant efforts to improve its infrastructure and cultural life. The variety of leisure activities, the opportunity to engage in sports, and enjoy the sights continue to make it attractive to both residents and tourists. A place where cultures and ideas intersect will always be special.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, despite current challenges and a high unemployment rate, maintains its appeal thanks to its gastronomy and cultural scene. The California dream is still alive, and experts expect that major infrastructure projects will create new jobs and help the city recover.

San Francisco

San Francisco, romantic and alluring, continues to attract foreign professionals and talents. The temporary challenges posed by the pandemic should not be misleading. The city still holds leading positions in education and offers high salaries, making it a desirable place to live and work.

Main conclusions:

• New Yorkcontinues to be a leader among U.S. cities, improving its performance.
• Los Angelesfacing challenges, but has the potential for recovery through infrastructure projects.
• San Franciscoattracts talent from around the world due to its high level of education and career opportunities.

Thus, the Resonance Consultancy study emphasizes that, despite current challenges, major agglomerations in the U.S. remain centers of attraction for people from all over the world. The quality of life in these cities is still high, and considering the plans for reconstruction and infrastructure development, it can be expected that it will only improve in the future. I hope this information helps readers better understand how the quality of life is changing in the largest cities in the U.S. and what prospects await them. Quality of life is a multifaceted concept, and each city has its unique advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, the choice always lies with the individual seeking their ideal place to live.