10 Reasons Why There’s No Better Place To Live Than Cleveland

There are lots of great cities in the United States, but the best one of all isn't NYC, LA, or Vegas. It's Cleveland, of course! What makes us so incredible? Well, these ten reasons, to start:

1. Our transportion

Compared to most major cities, Cleveland is not only a winner in the category of commute times, but in the overall connectedness of the city as well. Our highways are abundant, easily accessed from both the east and west sides, and, for the most part, clear. We definitely have a 365-day orange barrel season, and that can be a bit of a bummer. Overall, though, we Clevelanders are spoiled with low traffic congestion and roadways that are extremely efficient. In addition, our RTA bus lines and Rapid Transit trains get travelers where they need to be quickly and at a low cost.

2. Our food

Honestly, we could have given an entire list of different kinds of food that are enough to make anyone understand why Cleveland is the best city. There's no denying that Cleveland is a hungry city, and our copious amount of locally and nationally renowned restaurants and markets make that pretty apparent. From pierogi at Sokolowski's University Inn to that impressive Monte Cristo at Melt and the mile high corned beef sandwiches at Slyman's to the mouth-watering pecan crusted bacon at Lucky's Cafe, we don't just have food here: we have some of the best food in the world here.

3. Our things to do

There is absolutely no shortage of things to do in the CLE. We've got the Cleveland Aquarium (pictured), the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Children's Museum of Cleveland, The Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, The Browns, The Indians, The Cavs, The Monsters, Hilarities and The Improv, and Edgewater Beach... and that's just covering downtown. Our venues are filled with live music, comedians, political speakers, and expositions for every hobby and interest. There is simply no lack of things to do in the CLE. There's no way you'll ever be bored here.

4. Our parks

Sure, we could have lumped our parks under the 'things to do' entry, but they really do deserve to stand on their own. The Cleveland Metroparks have received national recognition for their impressive 23,000 acres of parks in Cuyahoga County and Hinckley. More than 300 miles of trails span the parks. We're also home to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which spans from Cuyahoga County down into Akron. From hiking to playgrounds and swimming to equestrian trails and everything in between, our parks systems are an invaluable resource for everyone who lives here. They're simply beautiful.

5. Our diversity

One look around our great city and you'll quickly see that there is no such thing as a cookie cutter Clevelander. We come in all shapes and sizes and our roots are from all over the world. We are proud of our heritages and we celebrate and embrace each others' cultures. In fact, Northeast Ohio is home to some of the most ethnically diverse communities in the entire state.

6. Our arts

Again, we could have lumped this under the "things to do" category, but there is so much in the way of the arts in Cleveland that we felt it must be mentioned separately. The Cleveland Museum of Art is internationally-renowned, as is our world-famous Cleveland Orchestra. Our live theater district is second only to New York City's Broadway.

7. Our lake

Lake Erie is a real asset to Cleveland, both in looks and in function. It's Cleveland's own little ocean. We have beautiful beaches, boating, jet skiing, fishing, and even diving. There's nothing like an evening meal on a lakeside patio watching the waves roll in.

8. Our sports

There is no denying that Cleveland fans are diehard fans. Sure we've got LeBron (and, finally, an end to our championship drought), but even without all that, Cleveland fans are as loyal as they come. We stand behind our Brownies, our Tribe, our Monsters, and our Cavs -- and we always will (but it sure is nice when we win, isn't it?).

9. Our history

Founded in 1796, Cleveland is rich with history. It was once home to oil tycoon John Rockefeller and U.S. president James A. Garfield. Cleveland has a gritty, powerful past that shaped the city we know today. The city is the birthplace of the electric traffic light, Superman, golf balls, shopping malls, and even gasoline-powered automobiles.

10. Our people

This city would be nothing without its amazing people. We are known for being friendly and helpful, and for good reason. We celebrate together when we win and grieve together when we lose. We help each other when we're down, and we come together when it matters. The heart and soul of Cleveland is its people.

What do you think makes Cleveland the best city in the country? We'd love to hear your thoughts!