5 Of The Healthiest Places To Live In America

5 Of The Healthiest Places To Live In America

“You can live a life filled with vitality and good health just about anywhere in the world,” said Claudia Wallis, editor of TIME’s new book Healthiest Places to Live: Lessons from the Top Spots for Fitness, Nutrition and Aging Well. “But let’s face it: it’s easier to do in some places than others.”

Here are the 5 healthiest places to live in the United States, according to Wallis:

Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha! According to the Hawaiian law, “The Aloha Spirit is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the Self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others.” This concept contributes largely, along with the laid-back culture, natural beauty and healthy foodways, in making Honolulu the best place for lifelong health.

As the book states, “Honolulu placed in the top five communities overall in Gallup’s U.S. Community Well-Being tracker, which rates nearly 200 of America’s largest cities on a variety of health behaviors, outcomes and attitudes.”

San Francisco Bay Area, California

Thanks to both Alice Waters, who pioneered the local, natural and organic food movement in the area and the Bay area’s year-round season for growing produce, the San Francisco Bay Area is the best place in the United States for eating healthy.

Silicon Valley, California

While Silicon Valley may technically be a part of the Bay Area, TIME’s editors singled the region out for its distinct work culture. So it’s no surprise, thanks to the flexibility in hours and technological advancements –- like treadmill desks — of both the entrepreneurship and tech companies in the area, that Silicon Valley has been rated the best place for workplace wellness.

Burlington, Vermont

Where diversity and plenty of outdoor fun opportunities meet high graduation rates and local markets teaching classes for kids in the kitchen, Burlington, Vermont is undoubtedly the best place to raise a healthy kid. As the book confirms, “According to 2011 data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, a multifaceted measure of childhood wellness and healthy habits ... 90.2% of Vermont’s children are in excellent or very good health, compared with a national average of 84.2%.”

Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota

With high volunteerism, a strong local economy, incredible parks and of course the Mayo Clinic, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s top medical center, just a short drive away, the Twin Cities have won the best place for aging well in the United States.