Top Rated U.S. Cities That Feature Parks

When most people job hunt, they look at what cities offer. As big cities are typically a better resource for job hunters, many cities are beginning to reinvent these concrete fortresses, favoring open-concept green-friendly spaces.

• Minneapolis, Minnesota – A top rated public park system, Minneapolis features 197 city parks. These parks are conveniently located near rivers, lakes and streams, giving them exceptional appeal. Minneapolis parks comprise 15.1-percent of the city’s area and the city spends an average of $210 per resident on the local park system.
• New York, New York – Frank Sinatra was on to something when he proclaimed, “New York, New York, it’s a helluva town!” Twenty-percent of the city is devoted to parks. In fact, New York’s parks see more than 100 million visitors per year, with Central Park seeing 40 million. With a park system that extends beyond Manhattan, New York parks include Staten Island beaches, reclaimed plant properties and Bronx forests. New York City spends approximately $160 per resident on local parks.
• San Francisco, California – Featuring a mild climate and a spectacular seaside location, nearly 18-percent of San Francisco is parkland. Enjoyed by residents year-round, these parks include Embarcadero, Telegraph Hill and Golden gate Park. The city spends nearly $281 per resident on park-related expenses.
• Sacramento, California – While it may be small on parkland at a mere 8.1-percent, it features the highest utilization rate in the entire nation. More than 2,000 residents participate in the “Adopt-a-Park” program, volunteering to help maintain these pristine outdoor areas. Sacramento spends $157 per year per resident on their local park system.
• Boston, Massachusetts – The oldest U.S. park is Boston Common, established in 1634. The parks in Boston are formal, featuring landscaped gardens, gazebos, fountains, statues and mountains. As the sixth fittest city in the U.S. Boston spends nearly $110 per resident on park-related maintenance. Additionally, parkland comprises nearly 15.9-percent of Boston. 

 

Whether it’s a single person or a family, living near open areas and parks is an important draw for real estate investors and homebuyers. Having easy access to parks helps to increase the number of potential buyers for homes, ultimately helping boost resale values.

My Hard Money Lenders offers a comprehensive compilation of direct lenders that specialize in funding commercial building loans, bridge loans and apartment building loans. Many of these lenders offer in-house decision-making, which makes it easy and simple for real estate investors to purchase new properties.