12 Reasons To Drop Everything And Move To This One Hawaii City

Hawaii is the absolute best, but if we’re being honest for a minute, some places are better than others. With a population of just under 375,000 residents, people flock to Honolulu - and not just because it is the hub of business and industry in Hawaii. Honolulu was rated as the third best city in Hawaii by the HAWAII Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards 2016 - and while we believe that the first and second place winners - Lahaina and Hanalei, respectively - are quite amazing, Honolulu simply has more to offer in terms of natural beauty, culture, history, and the conveniences of a major American city. Oh, and according to Travel + Leisure, Honolulu is one of "The Best Cities In The US," so there’s that.

Not convinced that Honolulu is the best city Hawaii has to offer? Well, just take a look at these 12 facts about the city that just might sway your opinion.

1. The city is home to incredible beaches.

Hawaiian beaches cannot be beat - and the long stretches of beautiful white sand you’ll find in Honolulu are no exception. Within the city limits, you’ve got Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kapiolani, Diamond Head, Fort DeRussy, Kuhio, and Duke Kahanamoku beaches, just to name a few.

2. It is the second greenest city in America.

Second only to San Francisco, Honolulu is the most environmentally-friendly city in the United States, and that’s pretty impressive for a city that is still working on its public transportation.

3. Honolulu is home to plenty of culture.

Hawaiian culture is as unique as the islands themselves, and nowhere is that more true than the state’s capital city. Think Iolani Palace, a variety of art galleries, and a thriving Chinatown.

4. As well as historic sites + iconic landmarks.

From the breathtaking Diamond Head to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, Honolulu is home to countless historic sites and landmarks.

5. There's plenty of hiking within city limits.

Sure, Diamond Head is overrated, but there are plenty of other trails - specifically near Manoa - to fuel your desire for adventure.

6. The shopping can't be beat.

According to Travel+Leisure, Honolulu is one of the best cities in the United States for shopping - and with several major shopping destinations, we’d have to agree.

7. Honolulu has the highest livability rating in the state.

According to areavibes.com, Honolulu - particularly East Honolulu - has the highest livability rating in the state, and is number 29 in the nation. This is due to low crime rates, high graduation rates, lots of local amenities, and a stable housing market.

8. It is one of America’s happiest cities.

It’s no surprise that Honolulu is No. 13 on a list of the 30 happiest cities in the United States, according to Gallup’s Healthways Well-Being Index.

9. Honolulu residents don’t stress much.

Did we mention that Honolulu is also the third least-stressed city in the country? We’re willing to bet it’s due to the warm weather, laid-back Aloha lifestyle, or a combination of both.

10. Honolulu is an excellent city for millennials.

The state’s capital, Honolulu has a thriving art and cultural scene, plus excellent recreation options, and is the main city in Hawaii if you want to further your career, or start a new one.

11. And for families.

The state’s capitol was once named the best city to raise a family by Best Life Magazine, chosen for its lifestyle, low crime and unemployment rates, divorce rates, and family amenities and resources. There are also more job prospects for young parents.

12. Nearly half of all Hawaii tourists visit Honolulu - in particular, Waikiki.

Waikiki tourists account for nearly 44 percent of all Hawaii travelers. While this can make our traffic a nightmare, it also proves that our fine city is a world-class destination for travelers across the globe.

What other reasons are there to move to Honolulu? Do you live in Hawaii's great capital city? Be sure to share this post if you do, and maybe even check out these 8 amazing Honolulu beaches.