5 Virginia Towns Among Best Places To Live In US: Report

VIRGINIA — Several Virginia communities are among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a recent report from Niche. The towns on the list are known in general for their low crime rates, proximity to good jobs and strong school systems.

Niche analyzes and ranks factors such as livability, crime rates, the housing market and trends, schools, employment, and access to other amenities and resources. Rankings are based on city data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Virginia's top places to call home include:

• Stone Ridge (No. 46)
• Cascades (No. 62)
• Innsbrook (No. 76)
• Arlington (No. 87)
• Short Pump (No. 88)

Top-ranked Stone Ridge received an A+ grade overall, with a A+ for public schools, A+ for good for families, A for housing, B+ for nightlife, and A for diversity.

Here's what Niche said about Stone Ridge:

Stone Ridge is a suburb of Washington, D.C. with a population of 14,220. Stone Ridge is in Loudoun County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Stone Ridge offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families and young professionals live in Stone Ridge and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Stone Ridge are highly rated..

Niche also tracks which U.S. cities are best for families, most diverse, and best to buy a home. Users can see which cities, suburbs, or neighborhoods are ranked.

The latest report on best places to live in the country also considers the cost of living, commute, nightlife, and walkability. These elements played a big role in decision-making due to the pandemic and shifts in living, working, and commuting over the last year, according to the company.

"In the past year, many people have become more mobile than ever before," Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche, said in a statement.

"Especially if they're able to work remotely, people are asking themselves where they really want to live," Skurman said. "Our rankings are designed to help our users find the next place they want to call home based on their unique priorities. For families, we know schools are an important factor. In addition to the Best Places to Live rankings, our comprehensive school profiles and school rankings are very valuable for families looking to make a move."

See the full list of 2021 Best Cities to Live in America.

Related: Towson Ranked One Of The Best Places To Live In MD