Some cities offer cheaper and more numerous options than others in terms of recreation. And to find out which places have the best options, WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities in the US on 47 key metrics that speak to the benefits of recreational activities.
The study examined in each city, the basic living costs, the quality of parks, the accessibility of recreational and entertainment facilities, and the climate.
It then evaluated those four dimensions using 47 relevant metrics, including the number of attractions, coffee shops, places to enjoy music, public beachesplaces to ride a bike, go hiking, sports centers, restaurants, etc.
Each metric was rated on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of ease for recreation.
“Staying active is not only good for your health. It’s also good for your wallet. One of the best ways to maintain an active lifestyle is to choose a city that encourages and facilitates recreation. The best cities have a wide range of leisure activities, both indoors and outdoors. Those activities require different levels of exercise and contribute to the overall well-being and economy of a city,” says the WalletHub report.
According to the data, neighborhood parks are one of the most beneficial types of recreation a city can offer, plus having a park within 500 to 600 feet of your property can have a significant impact on its value . Plus, the parks help people stay fit, saving them up to $1,500 in health care costs per year, and reduce overall costs of air pollution by $3.8 billion per year.
The report highlights that it is also important that cities offer recreational opportunities that do not require good weather, so options such as cinemas, music venues and coffee shops also contribute to the ease of recreation of each city.
The best and worst cities for recreation in the US:
City: (1) Las Vegas, Nevada
Score: 64.23
City: (2) Orlando, Florida
Score: 61.64
City: (3) Cincinnati, OH
Score: 59.17
City: (4) Tampa, Florida
Score: 58.33
City: (5) Scottsdale, Arizona
Score: 55.48
In counterpart:
City: (96) Irving, Texas
Score: 37.34
City: (97) Newark, NJ
Score: 36.81
City: (98) Jersey City, New Jersey
Score: 36.40
City: (99) Chula Vista, Calif.
Score: 36.06
City: (100) Fort Wayne, IN
Score: 35.42
For more details about the report, go here.
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