Who knew one of the best places to live in America was hiding out in Illinois? It's not Chicago, Aurora, or Rockford, but it is in Illinois and was just named the fourth-best city to live in. So, what exactly makes this city such a great place to live?

Here are Niche's reasons:

Affordable Housing Market

This spot has got it goin' on with plenty of affordable options for families and professionals. And get this, the majority of residents own their own homes! You can finally wave goodbye to your landlord and hello to that white picket fence you've always dreamed of. Plus, with a variety of housing options, from quaint bungalows to sprawling estates, you're sure to find the perfect place to call home.

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Top Notch Schools

This city isn't just a great place to live, it's also a fantastic place to raise a family. The public schools are some of the best in the state. And, to add even more bragging rights to the area, the public library was recently ranked as the absolute best library in the country by Library Journal.

See More: $10 Million Naperville Mansion Has 9.3 of the Coolest Bathrooms Ever

Plenty of Parks and Recreation Options

There are 139 parks in the #4 best city to live in, it's a playground mecca for families and nature enthusiasts alike. The Riverwalk, a one-mile path along the DuPage River, is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a heart-pumping run. And for those who like to get a little wet, there's Centennial Beach where you can swim, play sand volleyball, or even paddleboat. Plus, there are plenty of golf courses, biking trails, and other outdoor recreation options to keep you busy all year long.

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A Vibrant Downtown Scene

If you're more of a city slicker this place has enough going to so that you'll get just enough excitement to spare yourself from driving into Chicago. The downtown area is full of restaurants, bars, and shops, perfect for a night out on the town. There are plenty of local restaurants, bars, and shopping; it's not all national chains on every block.

Which city gets to brag about being the best place to live in Illinois (and the entire country)? It's Naperville - the perfect combination of suburban charm and urban amenities.

Where Are The Best of The Best in America?

  1. Chesterbrook, PA
  2. Colonial Village, VA
  3. Ardmore, PA
  4. Hyde Park - Spanishtown Creek, FL
  5. Penn Wynne, PA
  1. Cambridge, MA
  2. Arlington, VA
  3. The Woodlands, TX
  4. Naperville, IL
  5. Columbia, MD

LOOK: The 25 least expensive states to live in

Here are the top 25 states with the lowest cost of living in 2022, using data Stacker culled from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

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