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All-time littoral towns for raising a family in America

The archetype of the ideal American family abode hasn't changed much in the last century: a pristine business firm with a bright greenish backyard, white picket contend, and a big front porch. The scene becomes even more than highly-seasoned when y'all add together in a cool body of water breeze and sandy beach. For many Americans, the thought of raising a family near the water is ideal. Just call back: You can take the kids out for a canoe paddle effectually the lake, or build sandcastles on the beach anytime yous desire.

Just not every embankment town is neat for kids. Atlantic City, N.J., is virtually the embankment—but its proximity to casinos makes the area less than ideal for families. In gild to summate the best littoral towns for families, Stacker checked the locations on Wallethub's list of the best embankment towns against Niche's list of the all-time places to raise a family unit. Towns and cities on both lists were ranked past their score on Niche'southward list for this article. In the Wallethub list, embankment towns refer to any city or town virtually either a lake or sea. The criteria for family-friendly towns include quality of local schools, safe, affordability, and access to family amenities. Read on to meet if any littoral towns in your state fabricated the list.

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#fifty. Brunswick

Location: Town in Maine

Best places to raise a family rank: #2,709

Public schools grade: A-

Good for families grade: A

Population: twenty,497

This quaint town merely n of Portland, Maine, scored well on economical wellness and public condom, making it bonny for parents. Brunswick is as well the home to Bowdoin College, so kids who grow up here volition always exist exposed to higher education.

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#49. Merritt Island

Location: Town in Florida

Best places to raise a family rank: #2,703

Public schools class: A+

Good for families grade: A

Population: 35,916

This town on Florida's largest island is habitation to NASA'southward Kennedy Infinite Centre and a 140,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. Merritt Island is also an extremely affordable place to live—a win for all parents.

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KenFL74 // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Destin

Location: Boondocks in Florida

All-time places to raise a family rank: #2,689

Public schools class: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: 13,312

Nicknamed the "World's Luckiest Angling Village," Destin boasts incredible angling thanks to limestone structures, bogus reefs, and the nearby DeSoto Canyon. Even if fishing isn't your thing, you'll still find plenty to like about this picturesque town, such as its healthy economy and affordability.

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#47. Coral Gables

Location: Suburb of Miami, FL

Best places to enhance a family rank: #2,677

Public schools grade: B

Good for families grade: A

Population: fifty,533

This historic city in Miami-Dade County was one of the nation's offset planned communities. Coral Gables remains pop with tourists, who flock to the suburb for its gorgeous Mediterranean architecture, tree-lined avenues, and iconic landmarks such every bit the Biltmore Hotel.

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#46. Boca Raton

Location: Town in Florida

Best places to enhance a family rank: #2,670

Public schools grade: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: 91,702

Boca Raton is already a pop place to retire, only the town is as well a great choice for families. The lovely Florida weather and top-notch public schools are hard to beat.

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Daderot // Wikimedia Eatables

#45. Pacific Grove

Location: Town in California

Best places to raise a family rank: #2,613

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families form: A

Population: fifteen,546

With ane of the oldest continually operated lighthouses in the country and a classic golf course, Pacific Grove has plenty of old-fashioned charm. The boondocks also has excellent public schools and an absolutely stunning location along the Monterey Coast.

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Bluebarb11 // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Oak Creek

Location: Suburb of Milwaukee, WI

Best places to raise a family rank: #ii,599

Public schools grade: A-

Good for families course: A

Population: 35,218

Oak Creek may be part of the Milwaukee metro area, simply it'due south likewise merely 85 miles exterior of Chicago. The suburban atmosphere and convenient proximity to urban center amenities make this coastal spot along the western shore of Lake Michigan a great location for raising a family unit.

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Glittering Pillars // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Massapequa

Location: Suburb of New York, NY

All-time places to raise a family rank: #2,553

Public schools form: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: 21,820

This quaint village is really a subset of the town of Oyster Bay on Long Island's South Shore. Massapequa has plenty of local history and hosts an annual Apple Festival, amid dozens of other family-friendly activities in the area throughout the year.

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Edmonds

Location: Suburb of Seattle, WA

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #2,522

Public schools grade: A-

Proficient for families grade: A

Population: 41,020

With 23 city parks and i,000 feet of waterfront shoreline, Edmonds has plenty of places for kids to play exterior. The Seattle suburb also boasts a lot of community diversity.

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#41. San Clemente

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

All-time places to raise a family rank: #two,498

Public schools form: A+

Good for families course: A

Population: 65,082

The high-scoring public schools in this Los Angeles suburb arrive an bonny place for families. Kids will also honey all eleven of the city'south beaches.

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Eatables

#40. Shoreline

Location: Suburb of Seattle, WA

Best places to raise a family rank: #ii,295

Public schools grade: A

Skilful for families grade: A

Population: 55,021

Every bit the name implies, this Seattle suburb lies along the shores of the Puget Sound. Shoreline is home to 400 acres of parkland and open spaces, including a botanical garden, beaches, hiking trails, and playgrounds. Homes here appointment back to the early 1800s, but the suburb didn't officially go a urban center until 1995.

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BazookaJoe // Wikimedia Eatables

#39. The netherlands

Location: Town in Michigan

Best places to raise a family rank: #2,248

Public schools grade: B+

Skilful for families grade: A

Population: 33,581

White sandy beaches, an adorable downtown surface area, and a world-famous tulip festival make Holland an attractive place to visit and a nifty identify to live. Known equally one of America's prettiest towns, Holland—equally the proper name implies—as well has rich Dutch heritage.

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#38. Wantagh

Location: Suburb of New York, NY

Best places to enhance a family rank: #2,198

Public schools grade: A

Proficient for families grade: A

Population: 18,490

This Long Isle town has corking public schools, plenty of outdoor activities, and a relatively easy commute into nearby New York City. It doesn't hurt having Wantagh Park in your backyard, either; the 111-acre park features a marina, ballfields, dog runs, and endless recreational opportunities.

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#37. Coronado

Location: Suburb of San Diego, CA

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #2,090

Public schools grade: A+

Skilful for families grade: A

Population: 24,852

This littoral city has all the beachy appeal of nearby San Diego but with a quieter pace. Plenty of parks, kid-friendly community activities, and loftier-performing public schools make it a wonderful place to raise a family.

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Allie_Caulfield // Flickr

#36. Marina District

Location: Neighborhood in San Francisco, CA

Best places to heighten a family unit rank: #2,074

Public schools form: A-

Good for families grade: A

Population: 16,783

This Golden Gate Urban center neighborhood borders Ghiradelli Square to the east and the Palace of Fine Arts to the westward, placing information technology smack dab in the middle of the action. On top of all this, the Marina District also offers not bad public schools.

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Monacat // Wikimedia Eatables

#35. Seal Beach

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

Best places to enhance a family rank: #i,989

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A

Population: 24,510

This Orange Canton city has pristine beaches, community golf courses and tennis courts, and blessedly sunny atmospheric condition. Add to that the area'southward splendid public schools, and you tin see why Seal Embankment is so attractive to parents.

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Djh57 // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Laguna Beach

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

Best places to enhance a family rank: #one,963

Public schools course: A+

Good for families grade: A

Population: 23,204

Known for the mid-aughts reality Television testify of the same name, Laguna Beach has all the gorgeous beaches and great conditions you meet on the show with (thankfully) significantly less loftier schoolhouse drama. The seaside resort city is home to seven miles of littoral coves and beaches, a thriving artist community, and in excess of 20,000 acres of protected wilderness.

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#33. Swampscott

Location: Suburb of Boston, MA

Best places to raise a family rank: #one,912

Public schools grade: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: 14,250

Swampscott is a safe place to alive, affordable, and less than 15 miles north of Boston. Plenty of community activities and a practiced public schoolhouse system make information technology exceedingly attractive to families.

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#32. Cardinal Biscayne

Location: Suburb of Miami, FL

Best places to raise a family rank: #1,799

Public schools grade: B+

Good for families form: A

Population: 12,935

Key Biscayne is a gorgeous coastal boondocks only a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami. The area boasts plenty of outdoor activities for active families, including Crandon Park and Pecker Baggs Cape Florida State Park, a nearby coastal barrier reef, and an underwater archaeological trail.

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#31. Ocean Springs

Location: Town in Mississippi

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #i,748

Public schools class: A

Expert for families grade: A

Population: 17,547

This Mississippi boondocks on the Gulf Coast was first settled in 1699 by French explorers. Affordable housing, top healthcare facilities, and some of the best public schools in the land make Ocean Springs a perfect identify to raise a family unit.

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#thirty. Alameda

Location: Suburb of San Francisco, CA

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #1,744

Public schools class: A+

Proficient for families grade: A

Population: 77,409

Alameda, nicknamed the "City of Homes and Beaches," has historic buildings dating back to its settlement in 1853 and lovely nearby beaches. Amazing public schools, high levels of diversity, and awesome conditions take made Alameda a popular identify to raise a family.

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Alanscottwalker // Wikimedia Eatables

#29. Gages Lake

Location: Suburb of Chicago, IL

All-time places to enhance a family rank: #1,678

Public schools form: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: ten,041

This Chicago suburb is not but affordable, only also has a thriving economy. Its proximity to Chicago also means families can take advantage of all the city's amenities and culture.

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Vince Migliore // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Folsom

Location: Boondocks in California

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #ane,636

Public schools grade: A

Practiced for families grade: A

Population: 74,960

Backing up to Folsom Lake, Folsom has miles and miles of jogging, biking, and hiking trails along the lake and American River. Folsom's affordability, good economy, fantabulous weather, and great public schools requite Folsom'due south residents a dandy quality of life.

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#27. Carlsbad

Location: City in California

Best places to heighten a family rank: #i,611

Public schools class: A+

Good for families grade: A

Population: 112,008

Carlsbad has all kinds of family-friendly attractions, from Legoland to a skate park. It besides boasts smashing public schools, a good economic system, and sunny California weather.

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Ricardo'due south Photography // Flickr

#26. Satellite Beach

Location: Boondocks in Florida

Best places to enhance a family rank: #1,564

Public schools course: A+

Practiced for families grade: A

Population: 10,495

This sunny Florida community has lots to be proud of, including excellent public schools, lots of outdoor activities, and an overall affordable lifestyle. Satellite Beach has great proximity to other Florida hotspots, also: Orlando is just an 60 minutes northwest and Miami a few hours south (with plenty of beach towns in between).

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4097 Four Kids // Wikimedia Commons

#25. San Mateo

Location: Suburb of San Francisco, CA

Best places to enhance a family rank: #ane,562

Public schools class: A+

Good for families grade: A

Population: 102,224

Though the ocean almost San Mateo isn't as warm as some of the other spots on this list, the coastal boondocks still has tons of natural beauty and beachy appeal. The impressive public schoolhouse educational activity kids can become here also draws in plenty of families.

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Estrategy // Wikimedia Eatables

#24. Hermosa Embankment

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

All-time places to raise a family unit rank: #1,445

Public schools course: A

Good for families grade: A

Population: 19,726

Surfer dudes and dudettes raising kids who tin can hang ten might desire to settle here. Between the colorful downtown scene and chilled out local beaches, Hermosa Beach has enough of entreatment for visitors and residents.

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Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism // Flickr

#23. Newburyport

Location: Suburb of Boston, MA

All-time places to raise a family rank: #i,343

Public schools class: A

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 17,837

Not far from Boston, Newburyport offers an like shooting fish in a barrel commute for parents who piece of work in the city and access to slap-up public teaching for children. Public health is also exceptional here.

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Pumaphotog // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Newport Beach

Location: Town in California

Best places to raise a family rank: #one,316

Public schools form: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 86,813

This beachside community is incredibly picturesque—especially the residential customs of Balboa Island, where residents can grab frozen bananas on a stick at the assistant stand, or prowl the strip by kayak or stand-upward paddleboard.

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#21. Kirkland

Location: Suburb of Seattle, WA

All-time places to raise a family rank: #1,037

Public schools grade: A

Skillful for families grade: A+

Population: 85,812

The cost of living in Kirkland is higher than some of the other locations on this listing, but information technology's still a great value when yous consider that your family can easily admission all the all-time Seattle has to offering. Kirkland's bustling economy also makes it an attractive location for working parents.

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#xx. Redondo Beach

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

Best places to raise a family rank: #1,002

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 67,664

Redondo Embankment'southward perfect weather condition and admission to outdoor space brand information technology piece of cake to stay in shape here. Parents looking to raise agile kids might want to look into this beachside customs that'southward but south of Los Angeles.

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#19. Lee's Summit

Location: Suburb of Kansas City, MO

Best places to enhance a family rank: #815

Public schools class: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 94,257

Lee's Superlative offers families a skillful bang for their buck. The suburb features affordable homes, a good for you economy, and excellent public schools.

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#18. Santa Monica

Location: Town in California

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #775

Public schools grade: A+

Practiced for families form: A+

Population: 92,247

Tourists flock to the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade year-round, and it's easy to see why. Both outdoor attractions exemplify the easy breezy California lifestyle that attracts millions of residents and tourists. If you don't heed a constant barrage of visitors, Santa Monica would be an excellent place to raise a family unit because of the admission to expert public schools and nearby beaches and parks.

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#17. Encinitas

Location: Suburb of San Diego, CA

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #760

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families class: A+

Population: 62,160

Encinitas' half-dozen miles of coastline is famous for its excellent surfing conditions, making information technology popular with beachgoers year round. Residents of this coastal community are also attracted to its charming shopping district, nearby golf grade, good schools, and convenient proximity to San Diego.

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#16. Stony Beck

Location: Suburb of New York, NY

Best places to enhance a family rank: #755

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: thirteen,437

Stony Brook is situated on the North Shore of Long Island, making it a popular customs for families with one or both parents commuting into New York Metropolis. But more than its proximity to Manhattan, the suburb is dearest for its high-quality public schools.

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#xv. Mill Valley

Location: Suburb of San Francisco, CA

Best places to raise a family rank: #701

Public schools grade: A+

Skillful for families grade: A+

Population: fourteen,318

Make no doubt almost information technology, Manufactory Valley is an expensive identify to alive. The median home price here is well over $1 million. However, many families think information technology'southward worth the high cost of living. That'due south because the suburb is extremely prophylactic, right next to San Francisco, and brimming with top-performing public schools.

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#14. Palos Verdes Estates

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

All-time places to raise a family unit rank: #523

Public schools grade: A+

Practiced for families form: A+

Population: 13,582

This planned customs in Los Angeles County was designed by the famous Olmsted brothers, whose father Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. designed Manhattan's Cardinal Park. Gorgeous views of the Pacific Body of water, beautiful homes, and dandy schools brand Palos Verdes Estates an excellent place to raise a family.

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Alchaenist // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Great Cervix

Location: Suburb of New York, NY

All-time places to enhance a family rank: #503

Public schools course: A+

Skillful for families course: A+

Population: x,183

Long Island'due south proximity to all of New York City'southward 5 boroughs and gorgeous beaches make many of its neighborhoods and towns perfect for young families. Not bad Neck volition cost a pretty penny to lay roots downward; but its rich history, gorgeous houses, and great public schools nevertheless make it an irresistible option for many families.

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Mercer Isle

Location: Suburb of Seattle, WA

Best places to raise a family rank: #500

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 24,467

Just over 24,000 people alive on this two-mile-long, five-mile-wide Washington isle between Seattle and Bellevue. Mercer Isle is beloved for its mild climate, exceptional public schools, and excess of outdoor activities.

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Catatonique // Wikimedia Commons

#eleven. Manhattan Beach

Location: Suburb of Los Angeles, CA

Best places to raise a family rank: #352

Public schools grade: A+

Skilful for families grade: A+

Population: 35,573

Visitors tin't resist Manhattan Beach'south laid-dorsum vibe, sandy shores, and sunny skies. Only for people raising kids, This Due south Bay community is more than a charming downtown and groovy surf: The suburb features a superior public schoolhouse organisation, high level of safety, and overall salubrious lifestyle for its residents.

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#x. Westport

Location: Suburb in Connecticut

Best places to enhance a family rank: #310

Public schools grade: A+

Skillful for families form: A+

Population: 27,511

This pretty New England town has stately old-fashioned buildings and a charming, onetime-fashioned downtown. It's one of the nearly flush suburbs in the country, so it isn't exactly affordable—but those who accept fat wallets volition notice Westport to be a suburb featuring every amenity.

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#9. Redmond

Location: Town in Washington

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #303

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families form: A+

Population: 59,268

This community along the northern shore of Lake Sammamish boasts several large parks perfect for softball games, soccer matches, or family picnics. The public schools are something to brag about, too.

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Teemu008 // Wikimedia Eatables

#viii. Highland Park

Location: Suburb of Chicago, IL

Best places to raise a family rank: #300

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 29,780

This Chicago suburb forth the banks of Lake Michigan is something of a tourist attraction thanks to the iii Frank Lloyd Wright homes within its borders. Excellent public schools, job opportunities, and an easy commute into the city make it very pop with young families.

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Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Rocky River

Location: Suburb of Cleveland, OH

All-time places to raise a family unit rank: #293

Public schools grade: A+

Practiced for families class: A+

Population: 20,211

You'll observe this Cleveland suburb along the shores of Lake Erie. Rocky River has everything families need: a low cost of living, extremely prophylactic neighborhoods, good housing, and excellent public schools.

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Dave // Wikimedia Eatables

#half dozen. Brookfield

Location: Suburb of Milwaukee, WI

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #254

Public schools grade: A+

Expert for families course: A+

Population: 37,991

The just thing this Milwaukee suburb lacks is proficient, year-round weather condition. Families who enjoy all 4 seasons (with an accent on wintertime) adore Brookfield's affordable housing market, incredible schools, and safety neighborhoods.

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#5. Mequon

Location: Suburb of Milwaukee, WI

Best places to raise a family rank: #234

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 23,663

Another Milwaukee suburb, Mequon is a fleck smaller than Brookfield but shares the aforementioned only has the same reputation for nifty schooling, economical housing, and an affordable cost of living. A great feature of this suburb is its inclusion along the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, a paved trail connecting six communities in Ozaukee County that'southward perfect for walking, jogging, or bicycling.

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Michael Meidenbauer // Flickr

#4. Shorewood

Location: Suburb of Milwaukee, WI

Best places to raise a family rank: #215

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families course: A+

Population: xiii,300

Sensing a blueprint here? However some other Milwaukee suburb, Shorewood, ranks as the fourth-all-time littoral town for families. The reasonable median dwelling value and overall rubber make this boondocks peculiarly attractive.

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Heather McLaughlin // Flickr

#3. Bay Village

Location: Suburb of Cleveland, OH

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #210

Public schools grade: A+

Practiced for families grade: A+

Population: xv,414

Affordability, safety, educational activity, good quality of life: this Cleveland suburb has information technology all. Bay Village too offers a robust parks organization and many recreation programs to get kids started on a good for you lifestyle (and continue grown-ups in shape).

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Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#ii. Rye

Location: Suburb of New York, NY

All-time places to raise a family rank: #139

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families grade: A+

Population: 15,949

This New York City suburb on the Long Island Sound is the 2nd-best coastal boondocks for raising a family in the country. It is more than expensive than many of the other cities and towns on this list, simply Rye's corking public schools and local amenities more than compensate for the high price tag.

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Lucas Migliorelli // Wikimedia Commons

#ane. Eden Prairie

Location: Town in Minnesota

Best places to raise a family unit rank: #41

Public schools grade: A+

Good for families class: A+

Population: 63,206

Eden Prairie may not border a unmarried, large body of water; only it is located near more than 10 small-scale lakes. The affordable housing, low cost of living, high-ranked public schools, thriving economy, and public safety helped information technology earn the summit spot on the list.

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