Last month, US News released their annual ranking of top U.S. cities to live in, and according to their calculations, Seattle ranks 7th in a comparison of 100 of the nation’s top cities. The list is based on a methodology incorporating the job market index (20%), value index (25%), quality of life index (30%), desirability index (15%) and net migration (10%). What elevated Seattle to the top? As Naomi Tomky describes, “for many, living in Seattle has as much to do with what’s outside the city as what’s inside. Less than an hour from downtown, residents escape for the day or weekend to wineries, ski resorts, hiking trails and sprawling parks. Seattleites bring that love of nature into the city as much as possible, enjoying Seattle’s parks and tree-lined streets” in addition to what Tomky says is an inherently calm and patient attitude.