Are you feeling restless where you currently live? Are you looking to move? Maybe there’s a new job opportunity. Cities have personalities all their own. Are you living in the best one for you? There are countless lists that declare which cities are tops and what it is that makes each of them so great. We’ve picked what we think are the top three categories for choosing the city that best suits you.

Aesthetics

If you are a visual person, you need color and flow to stimulate you and keep you looking and feeling your best. Your creativity and solace are based on visual stimuli – patterns, use of color, fluid movement of space and objects. Be sure your city is something to look at! Whether your taste is Old World or modern vogue, see your city, neighborhood and prospective new house through honest eyes. Some cities were put together so quickly that they don’t hold the spatial or architectural lines that put your visual mind in gear or at peace.

Consider also the seasons. For instance, where there’s fall, there’s brilliant color and change, but soon to come is the dull gray and brown of winter. Freshly fallen snow is lovely…until it turns black from plows and traffic. Will gray rainy days sap you of energy? Beware of cities that can’t hold back the rains for months at a time.

Flavors

Are your nights out, vacations and magazine subscriptions all about food? Check out your city’s eateries before putting a down payment on a house. While eating out may not be a deal-breaker for some, for a connoisseur of fine dining accessibility to great restaurants is a must. Also be sure to factor distance to those restaurants into your calculations. If you can’t just jet out for a bite or make a quick drive for a relaxing night out, your stress-relieving down time can become stressful travel time.

Food isn’t the only flavor that determines how well your city suits you. Check out your new hometown’s art, nightlife, festivals and community events. What do you and your family need to live comfortably and in good health? Go into your local gym, libraries and children’s centers. Find out what teens really do in your area. Are the skate parks safe and are your parks well-lit all night?

Attitude

Although many of us don’t know our neighbors or the family down the street, your city’s attitude will still affect you. If you are a social person, you want a city that supports outdoor shopping and street venders, fruit markets and movies in the park. Look for a neighborhood that hosts a neighborhood watch, street fairs and block parties. If you’re not a social person, you don’t want to be the Scrooge on the block. Look for quiet neighborhoods and cities that are suited to the individual. Seek out cities with museums, art exhibits, walking paths and places where you can be out and about without being in a crowd.

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