Living In

The inside scoop on New York City neighborhoods and beyond.

Highlights

Vacaville, Calif.: It Isn’t Named for Cows
The city, named for an early settler, is a more affordable option to nearby San Francisco and Sacramento.
By Alexander Nazaryan and Andri Tambunan
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1. Portland, Ore.: Weird, but Life Is Good
  Beyond its quirkiness and activism, the city offers a high quality of life with easy access to nature.
  By Melissa Locker
  CreditCeleste Noche for The New York Times
2. Rochester, N.Y.: A New Lens on the City of Kodak
  The Finger Lakes region city is diversifying beyond its industrial roots.
  By Anna Staropoli
  CreditLauren Petracca for The New York Times
3. Whitefish, Mont., Natural Beauty, Not Taken for Granted
  When the snowfall’s good, signs reading “closed for a powder day” appear on the doors of local businesses.
  By Rachel Wharton and Aaron Agosto
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Richmond, Va.: A City Transforming
A neighborhood-focused culture, a sophisticated dining scene and a distancing from its Confederate past define the city today.
By Alexander Nazaryan
Hendersonville, N.C., Surrounded by Natural Treasures
“The City of Four Seasons” sits on the western edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
By Heather Senison and Will Crooks
Bishop Arts District, an Eclectic Dallas Enclave
Ten minutes from downtown Dallas, this walkable, picture-postcard neighborhood is in the midst of a development boom.
By Addie Morfoot and Desiree Rios
Downtown Phoenix, Expanding Upward
In the Valley of the Sun, summer heat has not stopped the downtown population from nearly tripling over 15 years.
By Abbie Kozolchyk and Caitlin O’Hara
The Twin Cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City, Calif.
Home to a cosmopolitan mix of back-to-the-landers, former loggers, 49er descendants, artists, musicians and mystics.
By Freda Moon and Rozette Halvorson
Grand Rapids: Quality of Life and Affordable, Too
Michigan’s second-largest city offers big-city cultural attractions, outdoor recreation and affordable prices.
By Amy S. Eckert and Brittany Greeson
Amenia, N.Y., Close to the City, but Remote Enough
The quiet farming and second-home community is undergoing a renaissance and has had an uptick in home buyers from Brooklyn.
By Heather Senison and Lauren Lancaster
Allentown, Pa., a Former Industrial Town Reborn
Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing city is experiencing a development boom.
By Jill P. Capuzzo
Staying in San Antonio After Building a New ‘Heart’ for Their Home
The Anconas found their bungalow cramped as their family grew. Despite limited space, they were able to create a large kitchen, dining and living space in an addition.
By Tim McKeough
Escondido, Calif., a Showcase for Fire-Resilient Building
“Affordable” by California standards, this San Diego suburb is the site of a new community developed with fire preparedness in mind.
By Michele Lerner and Ariana Drehsler