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10 Top Things to Do in the Most Fun Places to Live

By U.S. News & World Report

See why people love living in these 10 cities.

Food. Culture. Green spaces. Nightlife. There are many elements that make a city an enjoyable place to live and visit. To determine the inaugural ranking of the Most Fun Places to Live, the U.S. News Real Estate team weighed factors like each destination’s diversity of attractions, variety of restaurants and bars, number of parks, access to shopping and more. To help new city dwellers and those considering a move, the U.S. News Travel team detailed things to do in the top 10 destinations. Read on to see how residents in these cities work hard and play hard.

Wine and dine in Santa Rosa, California.

Set in the heart of Sonoma County, California, Santa Rosa offers plenty in the way of wine tasting and farm-to-table restaurants. Paradise Ridge, Matanzas Creek and Tara Bella wineries are lauded for their spectacular vineyard views and enjoyable wines. You can opt for a winery tour with transportation included or rely on Uber to get around. Once you finish winery hopping, sample food prepared with farm-fresh ingredients at highly regarded local restaurants such as The Spinster Sisters or Flavor Bistro.

Bike around Portland, Maine.

One of the best ways to see this East Coast city is by bike. While riding around town, you can check out historic homes, including the Victoria Mansion and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. Once you’ve gotten a feel for the downtown area, hit the trails. Portland’s pathways provide impressive views: the Eastern Promenade Trail snakes along the Casco Bay waterfront and beaches, while the Back Cove Trail lines Back Cove and offers skyline vistas. Those interested in more grueling bike rides to see some of Maine’s lighthouses can sign up for a tour offered by Summer Feet Cycling, a cycling group that organizes local tours for bikers of all levels.

Get your fill of live music in Nashville, Tennessee.

With a nickname like Music City, it’s pretty obvious that Nashville residents love their tunes. The bars along Broadway feature a variety of talented acts — Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central and The Stage on Broadway are just a few of the popular spots that offer live country music throughout the week. But if you’re looking for a truly unique Nashville experience, book tickets to a show at the Grand Ole Opry.

Museum hop in Cleveland.

Cleveland is home to several museums, but some of its most popular include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum features numerous exhibits and displays that celebrate top rock ‘n’ roll musicians, such as the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. If you’re more of an art lover, the Cleveland Museum of Art showcases nearly 45,000 works spanning 6,000 years. Meanwhile, those interested in science and history will appreciate the planetarium and dinosaur exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Shop till you drop in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is full of things to see and do — museums, art galleries, beaches, parks, studio tours, concerts and more. But this fashionable town is particularly popular with shoppers. Designer brands, including Fendi and Prada, line Rodeo Drive while major retailers occupy the massive eight-story Beverly Center. You might spot some celebrities while shopping at the Grove and you’ll find quirky independently owned boutiques in various neighborhoods throughout the city. Those who prefer enjoying a mix of indoor and outdoor scenery should head to the Third Street Promenade; filled with shops and restaurants, this open-air complex is just a short walk from Santa Monica State Beach.

Catch a sports game in Seattle.

Home to the NFL’s Seahawks, the MLB’s Mariners and Major League Soccer’s Sounders FC, Seattle offers ample opportunities to see a competitive game. Seahawks fans (collectively known as “the 12th Man”) consistently rank among the best and most passionate in the sports world, and CenturyLink Field is known for its buzzing atmosphere for both football and soccer games. And lucky for baseball fans, you can typically find tickets to Mariners games for more affordable prices than those to see the city’s other teams. Plus, baseball season stretches from early spring into the fall, allowing for plenty of chances to enjoy a game.

Eat and explore in Charleston, South Carolina.

Laid-back Charleston oozes Southern charm. Historic homes, moss-draped trees and cobblestone streets give Charleston some character and the best way to experience all that this city has to offer is by simply walking around. Stroll along the Battery (a waterfront promenade), discover antique shops on side streets and don’t forget to try all the tasty restaurants in town. Magnolias, Husk and FIG are three particularly popular eateries dishing out decadent Southern fare that diners say will please your palate.

Enjoy the outdoors in Portland, Oregon.

Gardens, parks and markets abound in Portland. You’d be remiss if you didn’t get to know the City of Roses by touring the International Rose Test Garden, which is home to more than 10,000 roses of more than 500 varieties. Meanwhile, the Portland Japanese Garden (also within Washington Park) spans nearly 6 acres and features varying styles of traditional Japanese gardening. When you’ve had your fill of greenery, head to the Portland Saturday Market to peruse the booths selling art, jewelry and more, or relax with a craft beer on a local restaurant patio.

Escape to Alcatraz in San Francisco.

There are a few iconic things to see in the City by the Bay. If checking out the Golden Gate Bridge is high on your list, you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting Alcatraz. Snag a spot near the front of the ferry that transports visitors from Pier 33 to the penitentiary-turned-museum, and you’ll enjoy a great view of the bridge. On the island, you can explore Alcatraz at your leisure with the help of an informative audio guide. After returning to the pier, stroll down the Embarcadero (a waterfront roadway) to the Ferry Building Marketplace for a tasty meal from one of the local vendors.

Hike or hit the beach in San Diego.

The No. 1 Most Fun Place to Live garners that accolade for a reason — it’s filled with dozens of parks, several beaches, countless bars and restaurants, sports stadiums, concert venues and more. Take some time to explore the 1,200-acre Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, whether you pack a picnic or plan a day of biking. Laid-back types will enjoy the city’s close proximity to two shorelines: Mission Beach and Coronado Beach. Meanwhile, adventurers in search of hiking and gorgeous coastline panoramas can head to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park or Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

More from U.S. News

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Best Foodie Destinations in the USA

Best Shopping Destinations in the USA

10 Top Things to Do in the Most Fun Places to Live originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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