1. California
   • Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria all have temperatures no less than mid-60s all year. These cities get less than 20 inches of rain a year and clear skies most of the year.
2. Hawaii
   •  The average temperatures for Honolulu and Kahului are 80s year round.
3. Texas
   • These cities still stay warm in the winter: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Del Rio, and Victoria.
4. Arizona
   • Tucson gets only 12 inches of rain a year and sunny 85% of the year.
5. Florida
   • Warm winters in Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Key West, Orlando, Tampa, and Vero Beach. Summer highs are low 90s.
6. Georgia
   • Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah are cooler than most cities in Florida and great to live in during May and September.
7. South Carolina
   • Charleston has pleasant temperatures year round.
8. Delaware
   • Summers in Wilmington are mainly in the mid 80s. The city gets less rain than most places, about 43 inches a year.
9. North Carolina
   • Asheville and Cape Hatteras have the best weather in this state.
10. Louisiana
    • Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans are the cities with the best weather in Louisiana.

Parenting.com has created a list of the best cities in America to live and raise a family with the following factors in mind: great schools, affordable homes, low crime rates, jobs, and parkland. Here are the top 10 best cities to raise a family:

1. Washington, District of Columbia
2. Austin, Texas
3. Boston, Massachusetts
4. St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota
5. Des Moines, Iowa
6. Madison, Wisconsin
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. Omaha, Nebraska
9. Seattle, Washington
10. Louisville, Kentucky

For a complete list please check out: http://www.parenting.com/article/2011-best-cities-to-live

1. Boulder, Colorado

2. Holland – Grand Haven, Michigan

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

4. Provo – Orem, Utah

5. Santa Rosa – Petaluma, California

6. Santa Barbara – Santa Maria, California

7. San Jose – Sunnyvale, California

8. Washington, D.C.

9. Ogden – Clearfield, Utah

10. Oxnard – Ventura, California

See full article here.

Vienna

Via Wikipedia:

Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria’s primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million^[3] (2.4 million within the metropolitan area,^[2] more than 25% of Austria’s population), and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. It is the 9th-largest city by population in the European Union. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, including the United Nations and OPEC. The city lies in the east of Austria and is close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. These regions work together in a European Centrope border region. Along with nearby Bratislava, Vienna forms a metropolitan region with 3 million inhabitants, and this region is referred to as Twin City.^{[citation needed]} In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[4]

Geneva

Via Wikipedia:

Geneva  is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland(after Zurich) and is the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situated where the Rhone exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. While the municipality itself (ville de Genève) has a population (as of August 2011) of 191,803, the canton of Geneva (République et Canton de Genève, which includes the city) has 464,677 residents (as of July 2011).^[3] In 2008, the urban area, or agglomération franco-valdo-genevoise (Great Geneva) had 890,000 inhabitants, two-thirds of whom lived on Swiss soil and one-third on French soil.^[4]

Auckland

Via Wikipedia:

The Auckland metropolitan area  in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with 1,377,200 residents, 31 percent of the country’s population.^[3] Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.^[4] In Māori Auckland’s names are Tāmaki Makaurau, and the transliterated version of Auckland, Ākarana.

The 2011 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked Auckland 3rd equal place in the world on its list,^[5] while The Economist’s World’s Most Livable Cities index of 2011 ranked Auckland in 9th place. In 2010, Auckland was classified as a Beta World City in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory by Loughborough University.^[6]

Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf of the Pacific Ocean to the east, the low Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitakere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.

Sydney

Via Wikipedia:

Sydney  is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia’s south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people.^[1] Inhabitants of Sydney are called Sydneysiders, comprising a cosmopolitan and international population.^[4]

The site of the first British colony in Australia, Sydney was established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, commodore of theFirst Fleet as a penal colony.^[5] The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is commonly known as Sydney Harbour, where the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge feature prominently. The hinterland of the metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and the coastal regions feature many bays, rivers, inlets and beaches including the famous Bondi Beach. Within the city are many notable parks, including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Copenhagen

Via Wikipedia:

Copenhagen  is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 (as of 1 January 2011). With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region. Within this region, Copenhagen and theSwedish city of Malmö are growing into a combined metropolitan area^{[citation needed]}. Copenhagen is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager.

First documented in the 11th century, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the beginning of the 15th century. During the 17th century, under the reign of Christian IV, it became a significant regional centre.

Copenhagen is a major regional centre of culture, business, media, and science, as indicated by several international surveys and rankings (see International rankings below). Life science, information technology and shipping are important sectors, and research & development plays a major role in the city’s economy. Its strategic location and excellent infrastructure, with the largest airport in Scandinavia^[4] located 14 minutes by train from the city centre, have made it a regional hub and a popular location for regional headquarters^[5] and conventions.

Amsterdam

Via Wikipedia:

Amsterdam  is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors.^[6]Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population of 1,209,419 and a metropolitan population of 2,158,592.^[7] The city is in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. It comprises the northern part of the Randstad, one of the largerconurbations in Europe, with a population of approximately 7 million.^[8]

Its name is derived from Amstelredamme,^[9] indicative of the city’s origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds.^[10] In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed. The 17th-century canals of Amsterdam (in Dutch: ‘Grachtengordel’), located in the heart of Amsterdam, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2010.

Ottawa

Via Wikipedia:

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. It is the second largest city in the Province of Ontario and the fourth largest city in the country.^[3] The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, located on the north bank of the Ottawa River; together they form the National Capital Region (NCR).^[8]

The 2006 census had the city‘s population as 812,129,^[3] and the metropolitan population as 1,130,761.^[5] In 2009, Ottawa-Gatineau’s population was estimated at 1,220,674.^[9] Mercer ranked Ottawa with the second highest quality of living of any in the Americas, and 14th highest in the world.^[10] It was also considered the second cleanest city in Canada, and third cleanest city in the world.^[11]

Founded in 1826 as Bytown and incorporated as “Ottawa” in 1855, the city has evolved into a political and technological center of Canada. Its original boundaries were expanded through numerous minor annexations and ultimately replaced by a new city incorporation and major amalgamation in 2001 which significantly increased its land area.

The name “Ottawa” is derived from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning “to trade”.^[12] Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley was home to the Algonquin people prior to the arrival of Europeans during the fur and subsequent lumber trade eras. Initially an Irish and French Christian settlement,^[13] Ottawa has become a multicultural - bilingual city with a diverse population.

Sixth Street in Austin, Texas

Looking to make a move, but want to live in a nice place that won’t drain money from your bank account? Take a look at these popular cities with cheap costs of living according to Kipler Magazine:

Springfield, Illinois

Springfield, IL has a median household income of $51,001 and an average home price of $207, 599. Rent averages about $556. The capital city is about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago, but has an advantage as the historical attraction site of the state. Abraham Lincoln was a resident from about 1837 to 1861, when he left for the White House.

Waco, Texas

Waco’s median household income is $40, 038 and its average home price is $240, 543. Although the typical apartment rent is about $805, grocery and other expenses remain low. It’s proximity to both Dallas and Austin contributes its high home prices (in comparison to the rest of the list.) And, Texans don’t have to pay state income tax.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas has a median household income of $45,757 and an average home price of $227, 723. The third largest city in Arkansas, it has an average apartment rent of a (shockingly low) $584, and extra low health care costs. It has deep connections to the University of Arkansas. US News has previously listed Fayetteville as one of the best places to retire.

Austin, Texas

Not only is Austin cheap, but it’s a capital of live music entertainment, boasting more live venues per capita than any other US city. The median household income is $57,109, and average home price is $229,145. Transportation and food costs remain incredibly low compared to national averages.

Springfield, MO

Springfield’s median household income is  $41,632, and the average home price is $222,830. It’s the third largest city in Missouri, and food/utilities are quite inexpensive. The rate for renting is about 26%, and homeowners typically pay less than 20% of their income for housing costs.

If you need more help, check out this Cost of Living calculator from Bankrate. This awesome tool will prompt you to enter your current income, place of living, and the place you’re thinking of moving to. It’ll then tell you the equivalent income in the city you are moving to and the percent increase to maintain your standard of living.

Do you want to move a small shipment that’s too big for parcel, but doesn’t reach the minimum for big movers? Small shipment moving specialists often don’t have a weight requirement, and hiring them is usually a better solution than renting a truck and moving the items on your own. Even one piece of furniture, artwork, frame, etc. is acceptable.

Need a move? Check us out!

• You are likely to arrive at your new home ahead of the movers. Take this time to look things over and to ensure your new utilities have been connected.

• Check appliances and systems to ensure all are working properly, and arrange for repairs if necessary.

• Check to see if your mail is making it to your new address or pick up any mail being held.

• Consider drawing out your new floor plan and decide where you want furniture and appliances placed.

• As at origin, make a point to be present when Redondo Van arrives.

• Unless you are paying by credit card, have a cashier’s check, personal check, cash or money order ready for the driver.

We’ve finally reached the final week of our countdown. Here the are very last things you should do before making that long trip:

- Make sure that you pack a suitcase with clothes for your trip and for your first night’s stay in your new house.

- Pay off any remaining bills, and keep copies.

- Confirm, with the moving company, arrival times, parking spots, and other strategies.

- Figure out a meal plan for your travel. Plan out a route, estimated cost, etc. Only buy exactly what you need.

That’s it! Stay tuned for our posts next week!

We’re on week 2 of our Movin’ and Groovin’ in 8 Weeks series. Read more to learn about moving preparation tips!

1. Make sure to cancel or transfer your home insurance coverage.

2. Transfer all prescriptions to your new pharmacy in your new home state or city. Arrange for parking for the moving van, and organize your car maintenance and insurance.

3. Get your car serviced. There’s nothing worse than travelling cross-country only to find that your brakes, engine, and/or transmission aren’t working.

Week 3 of our feature on effortless moving! Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Donate any extra items you have left over from your garage sale. Books, clothing, appliances, etc. can usually be donated with ease. Investigate your local American Cancer Society branch, Salvation Army, or Savers. Elementary schools often need extra supplies like markers, pens, and construction paper. Women’s and homeless shelters typically ask for personal hygiene products. If you have plants, ask friends and family if they’d like to take care of them.
• Make sure you return any borrowed library books and clothing.
• Solidify your packing plans. If you decide you’re going to pack less than you originally planned to with the moving company, let them know. Also inform them if you’re moving any heavy or delicate objects like pianos or antique furniture.