“Vermont Tops the List: What Makes These Three States the Best Places to Live in the U.S.”

Vermont has quietly become one of America’s brightest success stories a small state that now ranks as the best place to live in the U.S. for overall quality of life, closely followed by Massachusetts and New Jersey. For members of the diaspora who are thinking about where to build a life, raise a family, or start a business, these three states offer a powerful combination of safety, opportunity, and community.
Why Vermont Leads the Nation
Vermont’s top ranking for quality of life is not an accident; it reflects years of investment in people, communities, and the environment. The state consistently scores high for safety, with some of the lowest crime rates in the country, making it especially attractive for families and anyone seeking peace of mind. Its clean air, beautiful landscapes, and easy access to nature promote healthier lifestyles, from hiking and skiing to simple quiet living away from heavy traffic and pollution.
Beyond the scenery, Vermont has a strong culture of inclusiveness and civic engagement. Residents are known for being community-oriented, environmentally conscious, and supportive of social protections such as civil and reproductive rights. For newcomers, this often translates into a welcoming atmosphere, local support networks, and a sense of belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere.
Massachusetts: Opportunity, Education, and Healthcare
Massachusetts, just south of Vermont, is often ranked the best overall state to live in, especially when all major factors health, education, safety, and economy are combined. It is home to some of the best hospitals and universities in the world, making it a major destination for healthcare professionals, students, and entrepreneurs. For diaspora communities already present in cities like Boston, Lowell, Worcester, and Springfield, this creates strong professional and social ecosystems.
The state’s public schools and higher education systems are among the strongest in the nation, which appeals to families focused on long-term stability and advancement for their children. Massachusetts also ranks highly for health outcomes and access to care, with high insurance coverage and robust medical infrastructure. The main challenge is affordability: housing and general living costs can be high, especially near Boston. However, many people see this as the “price of admission” for the opportunities, services, and networks the state offers.
New Jersey: Income, Access, and Community
New Jersey, often overshadowed by nearby New York City, consistently appears near the top in national “best states to live” rankings. It combines strong household incomes, solid public schools, and good health outcomes with proximity to major economic hubs like New York and Philadelphia. For diaspora families, this means access to a wide job market while still living in suburban or semi-urban communities with space, schools, and services.
The state also offers diverse neighborhoods, active immigrant communities, and a variety of cultural, religious, and social institutions. Many families appreciate that they can attend their preferred churches or mosques, shop at ethnic markets, and maintain cultural traditions while still benefiting from American educational and economic systems. On the downside, New Jersey faces challenges with higher costs of living and, in some areas, air quality concerns. Even so, its overall quality of life remains high enough to place it among the top states in the country.
What This Means for the Diaspora
For members of the diaspora especially those in healthcare, education, and business Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey each offer distinct but complementary advantages:
• Vermont offers tranquility, safety, and a deeply community-centered lifestyle.
• Massachusetts offers world-class education, healthcare, and professional opportunity.
• New Jersey offers strong incomes, access to major cities, and vibrant, diverse communities.
When choosing where to settle, it’s important to think beyond just jobs and look at the full picture: safety, schools, health, environment, social support, and long-term stability. These three states show that it is possible to find places in the U.S. where quality of life is not just a slogan, but a lived reality.
For diaspora families planning their next step whether relocating from another state or moving directly from abroad Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey deserve a serious look. They represent different styles of life, but all three stand out as places where people not only work and study, but truly thrive.