How has the ranking of the best cities in the USA changed after the pandemic?

Introduction

As part of the conducted research, six key criteria were established for a more detailed assessment of various cities, which served as the basis for the work.

Evaluation criteria

• First criterion— this is the geographical location. This aspect encompasses elements such as the safety of the population, climate conditions, the presence of natural beauty, and green spaces. In today's world, where many are seeking solitude and remote work, park areas are becoming particularly prominent.
• The second criterionIt concerns the proposals of cities that are important for both local residents and visitors. Here, the number of flights from local airports, the presence of cultural sites such as museums and monuments, the level of educational institutions, and the quality of sports teams are taken into account, which is important for U.S. citizens.
• The third criterion- is the cultural component of the city, including restaurants, leisure options and shopping.
• The fourth criterionemphasizes the human capital of the region - the number of able-bodied citizens and educational level.
• Fifth criterionThe development study takes into account indicators such as the number of offices of Fortune 500 companies, the unemployment rate, housing costs and median household income. These data, according to the study's authors, illustrate the prospects for growth and prosperity for the city.
• The sixth criterionIt relates to advertising activity, which includes modern metrics: the number of search queries about the city on Google, geolocation tags on Facebook, user reviews on TripAdvisor, and the number of hashtags on Instagram. A strong city image significantly increases its appeal to both local and foreign tourists.

Opinions of the population

In addition to analyzing statistical data, the researchers also paid attention to the opinions of local residents and tourists. As a result, a list of the hundred best cities among the approximately 30 thousand existing in the United States was compiled. The study focuses on the most successful settlements, because the topics of failures, as a rule, do not interest the general public.

Immigration programs

Now let's take a look at the current immigration programs in the USA:

• Green cardfor qualified specialists under the EB-2 program.
• Become a permanent resident in one month with an investment of $5,000 or more.
• Long-term visafor businessmen and managers - L-1, which can be obtained in two months.
• The EB-5 program offers a residence permit in 31 months with an investment starting from $900,000.
• Green card for gifted professionals under the EB-1 program with processing in eight months for a minimum fee starting at $5,000.
• E-2 visafor investors and entrepreneurs, which can be processed in four months with an investment starting from 100,000 dollars.
• O-1 visafor people with exceptional abilities, the process of obtaining it takes three months and costs from 5000 dollars.

Conclusion

The ranking resulted in the number one ranking of New York, NY. This conclusion may seem surprising, especially considering how the city coped with the consequences of the pandemic. Nevertheless, positive factors were comfortable climatic conditions and an active cultural life, which allowed New York to take the leading position on the designated criteria.

The impact of the pandemic on large cities

In the past year and a half, major cities, including metropolises like New York, have been affected by numerous factors that have significantly impacted their lives. Research indicates that during this period, New York faced record levels of COVID-19 infections and high mortality rates.

In addition, violent crime rates have risen sharply and homicides have increased by 45%. According to statistics, the number of incidents involving firearms has doubled and unemployment has increased due to the restrictions imposed. Nevertheless, among all this difficult situation, positive aspects have been noticed.

Restoration of urban standards

The city authorities realized that it was necessary to restore the previous living conditions for their population, which numbers around 20 million people. In 2020, funding was allocated...30 million dollarsFrom the budget for promoting tourism, which should help mitigate the effects caused by the pandemic. It is expected that in 2021, the flow of tourists will exceed 36 million people.

To accomplish this goal, one of LaGuardia Airport's terminals has been renovated, and Newark Airport will soon open a new terminal with 33 boarding gates.

The city is also actively preparing for the opening of new hotels and restaurants, and Broadway has already announced the return of its theatrical productions in the fall of 2021.

Los Angeles: Perseverance and Recovery

Los Angeles, widely known as the "City of Angels," came in second place in this ranking. This metropolis was also affected by the pandemic, becoming one of its epicenters, with the unemployment rate reaching 10%.

The Mayor of Los Angeles has been proactive in calling for the closure of businesses in unnecessary sectors, which significantly reduced the number of new infections by May 2021. Currently, the city authorities are focusing their efforts on restoring the economy to its previous state.

Culinary prospects of Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for its diverse culinary offerings, and restaurants from all over the world are eagerly awaiting the return of hungry diners. It is also the site of the new SoFi Stadium, which will host the 2022 Super Bowl, the National Football League Finals and one of the most significant sporting events in the United States.

The city's infrastructure continues to improve:

• New hotels are being built.
• The transportation system is being improved.
• Airports are being modernized.

Chicago: On the Road to Recovery

In third place is Chicago, Illinois. Researchers believe that the situation in this city looks quite promising, which sometimes raises certain concerns. Chicago has managed to cope with the pandemic relatively well, unlike New York, which faced more serious challenges.

Despite all the difficulties, the city has shown its resilience and is gradually beginning the road to recovery.

Conclusions

Thus, it can be unequivocally stated that even though the pandemic has had a significant impact on the lives of major cities, many of them are rising thanks to the efforts of local residents and authorities.

Return to active life in Chicago

The return to active life in Chicago is happening with remarkable dynamism. The city is coming back to life with vibrant nightlife, upscale restaurants, and cultural projects. One of the standout events will be the establishment of a new cultural center with a presidential library, initiated by the Obamas.

This event brings with it not only positive emotions, but also contributes to the formation of a new image of the city in the eyes of the local American population. Important financial investments from the state budget are aimed at supporting and promoting the arts. In preparation for the pandemic, major digital exhibitions on the facades of buildings attracted approximately 32,000 visitors.

Thus, Chicago is not only successfully coping with the challenges it faces, but also has every chance of securing a top position among American cities.

Features of San Francisco

Now let's turn to San Francisco, located in California, which attracts interest because of its rich history and multifaceted social conditions, including an impressive homeless population. City officials are taking steps to ensure continued progress and growth despite criticism from skeptics.

Since the Gold Rush, San Francisco has remained an attractive place for migrants who contributed to its development. The city also draws students from around the world thanks to leading universities like Stanford and Berkeley. However, in recent years, there has been a capital outflow: many large corporations prefer to relocate to more affordable places, such as Miami and Austin.

The tourist appeal of San Francisco is ensured by:

• The famous Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz
• New Museum of Asian Art
• Picturesque streets with Victorian architecture

In 2019, the city welcomed over 26 million tourists, but in 2020, that number dropped to 10 million. The city hopes to return to its previous levels by 2023.

Boston as a center of higher education

Now let's discuss Boston, Massachusetts. This city is famous for its European charm and is considered a center of higher education, primarily thanks to Harvard University.

Boston: City of Opportunity

Boston is a city that has all the necessary resources to maintain its high rankings in various lists. It's interesting to explore the stories of people who decided to change their lives and move to the USA. For example, there is a story about a kindergarten teacher from St. Petersburg who left her homeland, built a career in America, and became a renowned pastry chef. Her journey clearly demonstrates how one can succeed despite challenges.

Also worth noting is the story of a Ukrainian swimming coach who, after leaving Lugansk, decided only to move to New York for the summer months, but soon realized that his place was in this big city, and stayed here forever.

San Diego: An Attractive California City

In sixth place on the list of the best cities is San Diego in California. This city has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century when Spanish colonizers arrived and discovered the excellent beaches, similar to those in their homeland. In the 21st century, San Diego has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, thanks to its unique climate and stunning natural landscapes. Every year, there are about 263 sunny days here, which undoubtedly attracts many people.

Despite the effects of the pandemic affecting many regions, they remain largely unnoticed in San Diego. The Mingei International Museum, for example, is reopening its doors after a renovation to the value of52 million dollars.

• The city plans to launch a children's zoo project with a budget in the coming years62 million dollars.
• San Diego residents and visitors alike are eagerly awaiting the return of Comic-Con.

Washington: A Capital with Excellent Quality of Life

Washington, D.C. ranks seventh in the ratings. This capital has been recognized as one of the best cities to live in. According to statistics, Washington is frequently searched on Google, and it holds the seventh position in popularity on Facebook.

This city is home to Amazon's second largest office, which creates many jobs for local and visiting people. In 2020, the city was allocated10 billion dollarsThe project is planned for large-scale construction projects.

• One of the first projects implemented was the gastronomic space The Roost, covering an area of over1100 square meters.
• Also planned for southwest Washington is a new development that will include a hotel, park, retail and office space.

It seems that the new version of the American Dream is about hoping to restore the old way of life after the challenges of the pandemic.

Denver: A City Under the Protection of the Rocky Mountains

At number eight on the list is Denver, the capital of Colorado. This city is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and is popular for its many offices of major Fortune 500 companies, including such giants as Western Union, DaVita and Molson Coors.

A significant number of pharmaceutical companies in Denver have allowed it to maintain economic stability even during the tough times of the pandemic. There are approximately300 sunny daysyear, providing further positive momentum for the city's inclusion on lists of best places to live.

Living among the mountains and surrounded by beautiful walking trails makes life here special, and it becomes harder to find reasons to feel sad, even when the whole world sometimes goes through tough times.

The capital of street art

Art and unique creative atmosphere enthusiasts can rejoice: this city has been named the main center of street art in the entire country. Even during the harsh times of the coronavirus pandemic, locals sought opportunities both for work and to enjoy their free time.

Phoenix, Arizona

In the ninth position of our ranking is Phoenix, Arizona. This city is famous for its vibrant Latin American culture, as it is home to some of the best Mexican restaurants, according to experts. It's hard to disagree with that, but it's worth noting that the city has a "siesta" atmosphere, which greatly contributes to a comfortable lifestyle.

This year, Phoenix has welcomed ten new hotels, which indicates a growing tourist interest in the area. Shopaholics from all over are eager to refresh their wardrobes, while young creatives are seeking fresh ways to express themselves, inspired by the local bar culture and the beauty of the surrounding national parks.

In order for residents to enjoy all these benefits, the authorities are actively working on developing human capital, which contributes to the low unemployment rate in the region.

San Jose, California

In the tenth position of our review is San Jose, California, which is an important part of Silicon Valley. Given the large number of offices of companies like Google, Facebook, Cisco, Adobe, eBay, and PayPal, it's easy to see why the cost of living here is so high.

However, what stands in the way of the city achieving a higher position?

• High salariesand the influx of skilled professionals has led to a sharp increase in housing prices.
• As a result, many residents are starting to leave the city because ofincrease in rentand a decrease in income, which creates certain difficulties.

Nevertheless, the connection between the IT sector and the local economy will undoubtedly help avoid a severe financial crisis. The new high-speed transport system also contributes to improved mobility, making life easier for residents who can work in the city but live in more affordable and remote areas.

Whether the city can overcome the crisis will only be shown by time. As of today, San Jose remains one ofbest cities in the USAas of 2021.

Conclusion

In conclusion of our research, we can confidently say that the choice of a city for living or traveling is not just a matter of personal preference, but a complex decision based on a multitude of factors. We have identified six key criteria that help objectively assess the viability and attractiveness of a city. Ecologists, economists, sociologists, and tourists have their reasons to pay attention to indicators such as safety, infrastructure, cultural opportunities, and economic development.

On one handCurrent realities show that even in the toughest times, it is possible to find positive aspects and new opportunities to improve the quality of life. Cities like New York and Los Angeles, despite all their problems, remain at the forefront of renewal and attracting tourists. They are like phoenixes rising from the ashes as development strategies are reassessed and new initiatives are introduced.

On the other handPublic opinion research shows that an important aspect is not only the availability of amenities and safety but also the emotional connection to the city. For many residents and visitors of these megacities, unforgettable experiences from vibrant cultural events, unique architecture, and diverse cuisine become defining factors in their choices.

Each of us, when choosing a place to live or relax, seeks a balance between personal comfort and global trends. Ultimately, it is important to remember that any city is primarily made up of the people who create it and fill it with their energy. Even in the conditions of a pandemic, when many of us faced isolation and uncertainty, it is human interaction and creativity that will help cities once again become centers of attraction.

I hope that the ranking we provided will spark interest among readers and help them better understand the dynamics and opportunities of life in these outstanding cities.