Dawn Bradbury

When choosing a place to call home, quality of life can be one of the most overlooked factors. Metrics, like access to quality education and health care, crime rates and air quality, along with risk of and resilience to natural disasters, can quickly distinguish a city on the top of your list from one on the bottom.

As the saying goes: location, location, location. Along with a budget, the area is usually one of the first items on a buyer's wish list. Of course, people choose where they want to live based on factors like proximity to family and friends, the commute to work or school, and the overall vibes. Like people, neighborhoods have personalities. Foodies might be happier in certain areas of town than others, and the same goes for nature lovers, theatergoers, night owls or people with young children.