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5 Cities With a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Everyone gets tired of the daily grind. A tough commute, long work hours, and sky-high mountains of bills can drive you crazy. However, there are places where you’re more likely to strike a healthy work-life balance so your time on the job doesn’t intrude too much on your personal life. Check out these places where work and life aren’t at war.
Bloomington, Indiana
Nerdwallet conducted a study of more than 500 cities. It took into account such things as mean hours worked each week, commute time, and income and cost of living. This research gave Bloomington, Indiana, the top spot for work-life balance because the average work week there is roughly 32 hours, the average commute time is a mere 15 minutes, and median price of rent is less than $800. When Bloomington’s workforce is off the clock, the can head outdoors and enjoy activities like fishing and hiking.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa also earned a place in Nerdwallet’s rankings, thanks to an average 33-hour work week, a short commute, and an average rent price below $700. A part of the reason for Tuscaloosa’s work-life balance is the city’s top employer, the University of Alabama. Manufacturing and other industries also offer many job opportunities.
Thanks to the university’s football team, the Crimson Tide, Tuscaloosa is one of the best places to live if you want both a work-life balance and a great atmosphere for sports.
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene boasts an average work week of only 34 hours and an average commute of 17 minutes, meaning that residents have plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley. The median rent price is a tad on the pricey side at around $830, but the median income is higher than other cities on Nerdwallet’s list at just over $42,000.
If you want to give Eugene a try, investigate job opportunities at the University of Oregon and PeaceHealth Medical Group, two of the city’s top employers.
Bellingham, Washington
Almost two hours north of Seattle, you’ll find Bellingham, where the residents work an average of 33.4 hours a week. The median rent is a tad higher and the median income a tad lower than in Eugene, but if you love skiing, you won’t be able to say no to Bellingham. It is just a few minutes away from the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Plus, a few hours of driving will take you to one of the best ski places in the world, Whistler Blackcomb.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Just across the border from Bellingham is Vancouver. It is a particularly appealing city for entrepreneurs, since Canada’s immigration laws make it relatively easy to bring in talent for startups from all over the world. That means less time slaving over paperwork and more time enjoying Vancouver’s natural beauty. The city also has a cool international vibe; more than half of the residents speak a native language other than English.
No matter where you live, striking a balance between work and life can be difficult. It is easier, however, if you live in a city where the average work week is short and you can find great recreational activities to help you unwind after you leave the office.
