Nashville, 3 other Tennessee cities named among best in US. Here's why
Nashville was one of four Tennessee cities named by real estate and tourism consulting firm Resonance Consultancy as among the best in the U.S.
Nashville clocks in at 22nd on the Best Cities report, a ranking of the 100 top-performing U.S. cities with metro populations of 500,000 or more. Music City is sandwiched between Phoenix and Tampa on the list, and New York City tops the rankings overall.
The rankings are based on factors ranging from the number of Fortune 500 companies and nightlife experiences to the volume of check-ins and mentions on Facebook and Instagram, along with surveys of 2,000 U.S. adults on the cities where they'd most like to live, visit or work. The consulting firm lists its full methodology on its website.
Here's what to know about why Nashville made the list.
Here's how the consulting firm introduces Nashville on the list: 'The hospitality and revelry that defined Nashville for decades has finally returned.'
Nashville's status as Music City appears to be a key reason why. The consulting firm says Nashville is 'firing on all cylinders' both with big annual events like CMA Fest and Bonnaroo and newer shows and attractions like the Rock Hall at the Ryman exhibit.
But those aren't the only reasons Nashville nearly cracked the Top 20. The firm also praised 'massive developments' like Nashville SC's Geodis Park, the 'city-building ambition' behind the opening of more than a dozen hotels over the next two years and a major expansion at Nashville International Airport. The firm highlights Nashville's status as a health care innovation hub that's home to more than 500 companies.
After Nashville, Memphis is the next-highest finisher on the list at 72nd, followed by Chattanooga at 80th and Knoxville at 91st.
See Resonance's full rankings at worldsbestcities.com/rankings/americas-best-cities/.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville, 3 other Tennessee cities named among best in United States
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