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It's too often assumed that moving to a big city — like San Francisco, New York, or Boston — means giving up your love for nature. Fortunately, that doesn't always have to be the case.
A recent ranking by Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on cities, revealed the best cities for outdoor activities in America, proving that city life and the great outdoors are not always mutually exclusive.
To compile its ranking, Niche gathered data on 227 US cities including local weather and air quality, access to natural amenities like beaches and state parks (counting those within 100 miles of the city), access to national parks and forests (counting those within 200 miles of the city), and general access to nearby outdoor recreation facilities. (Read the full methodology here.)
The resulting list reveals that some of the best cities to live in if you love spending time outdoors are in the Western US. In fact, 22 of the top 25 cities are in the West, with several located in the Pacific Northwest, specifically.
Below, check out the 25 best cities for outdoor enthusiasts.
25. San Francisco, California
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Population: 829,072
Nearby state parks: 20
Nearby beaches: 70
Weather grade: A+
Sitting atop a peninsula flanked by the Pacific Ocean, the City by the Bay is considered one of the most walkable cities in the US. The city's most famous park is the 1,000-plus acre Golden Gate Park, which is home to several, smaller parks and a zoo, botanical garden, and golf course.
24. Aurora, Colorado
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Population: 339,480
Nearby state parks: 4
Nearby beaches: 0
Weather grade: A-
Located just east of Denver, Aurora boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually, making outdoor activities one of the premier draws for the area. The Aurora Reservoir is a popular destination with plenty of recreation opportunities like fishing, swimming, and boating.
23. Roseville, California
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Population: 124,250
Nearby state parks: 3
Nearby beaches: 2
Weather grade: A+
Roseville is situated just 30 minutes outside of California's state capital and a two-hour drive from scenic South Lake Tahoe. The park-laden city has been honored as a bike-friendly community and has more than 32 miles of off-street bike paths.
See the rest of the story at Tech Insider