The Rise of Remote Work

Working from home or a remote location has been made possible by advancements in technology over the past 50 years. We associate this growing trend with recent events, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, but the term “telecommuting” was actually coined in 1972 by a NASA engineer named Jack Nilles. Since then, remote work has been utilized as a strategy to minimize air pollution, traffic congestion, commuting costs, office expenses, and stress levels. Consequently, workers today enjoy an increased degree of freedom to choose their residence, which is especially beneficial for families focused on nurturing their children.

Best States for Families

Considerations are vast when deciding on the top states to raise a family. A study by Wallet Hub analyzed five general criteria: health and safety, family fun, education and child care, affordability, and socioeconomics. They rated all 50 U.S. states based on a weighted scale within these categories. Based on the evaluation, the top five states included Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

For example, the family fun category encompassed fitness and recreational opportunities, along with the number of families with young children. Health and safety addressed issues such as air quality, medical care, and crime statistics. Education and child care focused on the access to public education and daycare facilities. Affordability looked at housing expenses and family income, while socioeconomics examined unemployment, poverty, and foreclosure rates.

Personal Preferences in Choosing Locations

In addition to evaluating the data, Wallet Hub posed questions to a panel of experts in the field. Dr. Heidi Stolz, a professor in Child and Family Studies at the University of Tennessee, noted, “Overall, neighborhoods and communities have major impacts on children’s development. Factors such as neighborhood safety, school quality, air and water quality, green spaces, economic opportunities for parents, access to nutritious food, and positive social connections serve as foundational elements for children’s futures.”

Additionally, Dr. Patty Kuo, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln, remarked, “Location matters for child development because it can determine a family’s access to essential resources such as fresh, healthy food, quality health care, child care, and education.”

Personal preferences also play a crucial role when families choose where to live. For instance, do families prioritize outdoor activities or sports? Are they enthusiastic about skiing and winter activities? Those who enjoy cultural amenities, such as museums and theaters, may prefer urban settings, while others might favor regions suited for boating and warm weather. Platforms like HomeSnacks aggregate data to assist individuals in finding residences that align with their lifestyles.

Variability Within States

The HomeSnacks list of Best States to Raise a Family in America for 2022 ranks Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Iowa at the top. Vermont’s health and safety index, along with Maine’s clean air and water, quality schools, and public safety, contributed to their high positioning. New Hampshire, following a similar trend, also made the top five. Nebraska and Iowa attract families with their affordable living conditions, abundance of children, and small-town lifestyles.

To further illustrate the complexity of defining the “best,” a list from MoneyRates ties New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Utah for the first position, followed closely by Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. Their criteria encompassed cost of living, academic performance, college expenses, crime rates, child care availability, health care quality, public spaces, and broadband infrastructure.

Data Availability and Family Freedom

Within each state, it is important to note that cities and neighborhoods exhibit significant variability. U.S. News & World Report compiled a list of Best Places to Live for Families in the U.S. in 2022-2023 by merging data on cost of living, average wages, quality of high school education, commute durations, and healthcare access. Huntsville, Alabama, emerged at the top based on affordability, household income, and air quality among various criteria. San Jose, California, followed in second place, credited for quality education, although high home prices consume a substantial portion of household income. Green Bay, Wisconsin, secured third place due to low crime rates, short commutes, and affordable cost of living.

The positive aspect for families in search of the ideal living conditions is the wealth of comparative data available. Moreover, many working adults enjoy the flexibility to pursue occupations with companies that support remote work. Consequently, equipped with reliable information and a strong sense of earning potential, families increasingly possess the liberty to select the most suitable residence for their unique needs.