10 Best Places to Live on the East Coast

From the lush forests and rugged coastline of Maine to the dreamy white-sand beaches of Florida, our country’s Eastern Seaboard is brimming with picture-perfect landscapes, natural wonders, historic landmarks, and unique cultural experiences that draw newcomers from around the world. But the East Coast, which consists of 14 states and the District of Columbia, is also home to some of the wealthiest and most economically developed metro areas in the country, along with all eight Ivy League colleges and many other top-rated educational institutions, making the area a fertile ground for innovation and professionals seeking better job opportunities and career advancement.

So, if you’re considering relocating to one of the states that border the Atlantic Ocean, we compiled a list of the best places to live on the East Coast with the highest standard of living and a wealth of recreational opportunities.


Portland, Maine

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With more than 17 million acres of forests, Maine certainly lives up to its moniker of the Pine Tree State. And as its most populous metro area, Portland is at the center of its cultural and economic life. The city, which just topped U.S. News & World Report‘s latest ranking of the best cities to live on the East Coast for its low crime rates and the overall well-being of its residents, attracts newcomers with its natural beauty, bustling art scene, and laid-back outdoorsy lifestyle.

“We’re afforded such an abundance of options to enjoy the outdoors: swimming, boating, hiking, biking, rowing, running, skiing, and climbing,” Jennifer Sweeney, a broker at Town & Shore Real Estate, told Travel + Leisure. “Portland is a walkable gem of a city on the working waterfront, marrying rich history with ever-evolving culture.”

She added that some of the most popular neighborhoods for first-time homeowners in greater Portland include South Portland, which “offers more of a seaside suburban vibe, with pet- and kid-friendly beaches and access to trails,” and Cape Elizabeth for its picture-perfect coastline, Fort Williams Park, and highly rated school system. 



Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Located along the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth’s well-rated public schools are

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Virginia’s ‘Lake Tahoe of the East’ Is One of the Ideal Places to Obtain a Family vacation Household in the U.S.

Established towards the towering Blue Ridge Mountains, this scenic lake is generally in contrast to Lake Tahoe and gives abundant recreational activities.

Virginia might be regarded for its charming modest cities, lots of wineries, and historic landmarks, but the Aged Dominion is also house to amazing lakes that attract vacationers from close to and considerably. Situation in position: Smith Mountain Lake in central Virginia was recently named one particular of the finest places to commit in a 2nd home, according to Evolve, rating larger than other more notable spots this kind of as Pocono Lake in Pennsylvania and Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.

Kelsey Johnson/Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

Nicknamed the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains” and “Lake Tahoe of the East,” the human-created Smith Mountain Lake features 500 miles of scenic shoreline and two dozen islands. It spans 40 miles, creating it the 2nd-biggest human body of water in Virginia, with outstanding recreational possibilities year-spherical. Whether it is really h2o athletics, climbing, boating, swimming, fishing, or golfing, the location is a magnet for travelers looking for outside adventures on and off the lake’s crystal clear waters.

<p>Joel Mulbah/Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation</p>

Joel Mulbah/Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

“Smith Mountain lake helps make you come to feel like you are dwelling as soon as you get below,” Brenda Fichtner Bratt, a realtor with Lengthy & Foster Serious Estate, advised Vacation + Leisure, noting that the regional serious estate industry is still likely sturdy irrespective of the nationwide downturn. In accordance to knowledge from Evolve, the median listing rate was $462,772, with homes reaching a cap amount of 5.1 %. That, coupled with an approximated annually rental profits of $33,692, made the spot a single of the best-doing trip rental markets in the region.

<p>John Henley/Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation</p>

John Henley/Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Company

“Houses, condos, and city properties are rented 12 months-round because our spot has quite gentle seasons in comparison to our neighboring states,” additional Bratt. One more draw for second-household prospective buyers? Taxes.

“The greater part of my purchasers occur from locations such as northern Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New

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