The Top Ten Cities to Have a Baby (Is Yours One?)

on March 10, 2009 at 10:02 AM

photo courtesy of Portland

This is the best city to have a baby

Sometimes I think it would be easier if I just stayed where I grew up, got married (or didn't), had my baby, and raised her there. Since I moved to another state (and want to buy a "forever house"), I have to make a decision about where I want to live. Mr. Cafe Suzanne and I finally decided on a place today. Just my luck. Fit Pregnancy magazine just came out with a list of the Best Cities to Have a Baby, and according to that, if I really loved my baby I'd be moving to Portland, Oregon (it's number one).

The fifty U.S. cities with the largest population were ranked based on different categories such as hospitals, stroller-friendly trails and parks, affordability, and more.

The top ten cities are:

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Minneapolis

3. San Francisco

4. Seattle

5. Denver

6. Boston

7. Omaha, Nebraska

8. Virginia Beach, Virginia

9. Austin, Texas

10. Albuquerque, New Mexico

There's also a quiz you can take—Find Your Best City—to see which of the 50 cities best suits your criteria.

Do you live in one of the top ten cities? Would you consider moving to one of them to have and raise a baby there?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: newborns

Comments (12)

sstepph

on Mar 10, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Aren't they all big cities? I dont know if I would want to raise my baby in a big city. I'm from a small town and I love it. But who knows, maybe it would be better! I dont think I would consider moving,.. who knows though!

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.Beth.

on Mar 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM

i live in a small city in florida..and there are 2 very good parks with nature trails that are close to my home that i can take my son. And in florida..its mostly always sunny so there is hardly ever a day you cant go for a walk on. Also there are quite a few baby and toddler boutique stores that you can buy either new or gently used items for very cheap. For instance, i bought a one year old car seat with car base ( in perfect condition) for only 25 dollars there..and even at walmart a brand new car seat is around $70.00 brand new..

HistoryMamaX3

on Mar 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Portland, Oregon- lol... it is also at the top of the most depressing cities for people to live! If that is any indication as to how much thought these lists should get!

It is a beautiful place, and the Children's Hospital there is top notch.

trekcass

on Mar 10, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Hmm. Not for me- I gotta think about education as well. A big city isn't my ideal of a best place to raise a child. I live in the bay area and not far from san francisco. I love where we are and think, without bias ;), that our town rocks!!

Juliesummer

on Mar 10, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Los Angeles is missing- a goood place to have a baby! :-)

madamekatekate

on Mar 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM

There are a few on that list I'd consider moving to. (Seattle, Boston, and Austin, TX)

onebeautifulgir

on Mar 11, 2009 at 2:21 AM

I am from Portland OR, and its not depressing (HistoryMamaX3).....I love it here, tons of stuff to do that are kid friendly..including a brewery...people here are very friendly and open-minded.....the traffic does suck downtown though...

on Mar 11, 2009 at 12:06 PM

I didn't say it was depressing... I said that another one of these polling lists put it at the #1 most depressing place to live- which only shows how reliable these things are!!!

I also said it was a beautiful place and the children's hospital was top notch. I wasn't commenting on the city- I was commenting on the use of the list as a reliable source. Too many people don't read all the information and can opinions can be made from unreliable information... we wouldn't want that, would we? lol

Be careful in what you read, before you get on the defense...

on Mar 13, 2009 at 10:56 PM