Silver Spring named best place for families to live

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Silver Spring takes the top seat this year as the best place for families to live in the U.S., according to the latest rankings from Fortune Magazine .

Silver Spring, just outside of Washington, D.C., ranked No. 3 last year. Fortune noted Silver Springs’s local charm and convenience of city life as notable reasons for this year’s first-place ranking.

Fortune Magazine said Silver Spring is unique from the competition and its neighboring suburbs because of its flourishing Arts and Entertainment District .

According to the Silver Spring website , the State of Maryland designated the Arts and Entertainment District in 2001. It is now home to over 100 arts and humanities organizations, entertainment venues, attractions and creative enterprises.

Residents can catch an independent film at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center or see one of their favorite artists perform live at the iconic music venue, the Fillmore . The Fillmore has hosted legendary artists from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin, according to Fortune.

The magazine also acknowledged Silver Spring’s bustling business district, with more than 150 restaurants offering diverse cuisines. Residents who are feeling outdoorsy can go hiking at Rock Creek trail, biking at Sligo Creek Park, play golf at the Sligo Creek course, or go outdoor skating in the winter.

Besides being rich in activities and entertainment, Fortune said the area is a great place for families because of its diversity, high Well-Being Index score, and affordability.

Fortune noted that, according to the U.S. Census, the probability that two people chosen at random will be of a different race or ethnicity is 73%. The Community Well-Being Index score for Silver Spring is also 85 out of 100, giving Silver Spring the highest score, according to the site. This index is used to measure health risk factors in communities across the country.

In regards to affordability, prices for homes in Silver Spring are down compared with last year, according to Redfin .

Another area from the DMV also received a top placement on Fortunes list this year. Chantilly, Virginia, took third place due to its financial index score, notable attractions, and proximity to D.C.

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