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Our latest Freakonomics Radio episode is called “How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns?” (You can subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, or listen via the media player above.)

Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits?

Below is a transcript of the episode, modified for your reading pleasure. For more information on the people and ideas in the episode, see the links at the bottom of this post. And you’ll find credits for the music in the episode noted within the transcript.

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[MUSIC: Matthew Reid, “Romance” (from Limitations)]

Where I live, in the great northeast of the United States, spring has finally gone full-bloom and summer’s right around the corner. When you get outside, it’s beautiful. The trees, the flowers — and of course, the lawns! Who doesn’t love a good lawn? It looks good, smells good, feels good. For a lot of people, a lawn is the perfect form of nature. Even though, let’s be honest, the lawns we like don’t actually occur in nature. Even though the process of producing such a lawn is full of the most unnatural activity. Even though this unnatural slice of nature requires so many inputs — the water, the fertilizer, the weed-killers, the mowers and trimmers and the leaf-blowers, the fuel to power all this machinery, the fuel to power the trucks to transport the people who run the machinery … all in pursuit of the perfect lawn.

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Stephen J. DUBNER: Give me — [as] briefly as you can — a history of the lawn.

Ted STEINBERG: If you go look at the Oxford English Dictionary and try to find the word “lawn,” you’ll see that it dates from the 16th century from Old English for “an open space” or what was called a “glade.”

[MUSIC: The Texas Gypsies, “Maxwell Swing” (from Cafe Du Swing)]

Ted Steinberg is a history and law professor at Case Western Reserve.

STEINBERG: I’m the author of several books including American Green: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn. These lawns that existed back in 16th, 17th, 18th-century England were typically found on estates.

DUBNER: Now talk about how America got into lawns and the degree to which they upped the game.

STEINBERG: Lawns go way back in American history. Washington and Jefferson, of course, had lawns. Nevertheless, even well into the 20th century, people, especially working-class people, were more concerned with, how shall I say, the “use value” of their yards as opposed to “exchange value” of the landscape. What I mean by that is working-class people would raise small livestock in their yards or vegetables. That said, the really big expansion in the “lawnscape” — if I can call it that — happened after the second World War with suburbanization.

Clip from a 1950s newsreel: This is Levittown, one of the most remarkable housing developments ever conceived.

STEINBERG: Between 1947 and 1951 or 1952 or so, the Levitts mass produced some 17,000 homes on what had been a bunch of potato fields on Long Island in New York. Every one of those 17,000 homes had a lawn surrounding it. If you look back at the deeds for Levittown and other places, you’ll find that there are covenants in them requiring the owner of [a] new Levittown home to mow their lawn, their yard once a week.

Clip from a 1950s newsreel: Yes, that old potato patch has come to a good end.

 

[MUSIC: Spencer Garn, “Corn Nuggets”]

Today, Americans spend roughly $60 billion a year in what’s known as the turfgrass industry. This covers lawn supplies, lawn services, and so on. That figure includes sports fields, commercial properties, and private lawns; lawns account for two-thirds of the total square footage. How much square footage is that?

Cristina MILESI: That’s about 40.5 million acres of turf.

That’s Cristina Milesi.

MILESI: I am a scientist by training, and I worked for NASA for over 10 years.

Today Milesi in an independent environmental scientist. Forty-odd million acres of turf — for reference, that’s bigger than Iowa. Milesi hadn’t set out to measure the size of America’s lawn. In fact, quite the opposite.

MILESI: I was working to map the amount of paved area in the United States.

Mapping out paved areas included using satellite data that measured nighttime light emissions.

MILESI: Light emissions that come from, basically, turning on street lights at night.

She and her team also used aerial photography — which, of course, showed more than just paved areas.

MILESI: We also took measurements of how much lawn area there was and how many shrubs — shrub area and tree area.

And that’s how they came up with 40.5 million acres of turf. Which is a bit less than 2 percent of the United States. Paved areas, meanwhile, make up just 1.3 percent. The sheer volume of grass got Milesi thinking …

MILESI: How are lawns functioning as an ecosystem? We use water, but also fertilizer and pesticides. Then we use lawnmowers and leaf blowers. But they are plants, so they photosynthesize. They absorb carbon. What’s the balance between what we put in and what we put out? I decided this would be a worthwhile question to ask.

The specific question being whether lawns are, from a carbon perspective, net-positive or net-negative. She began by trying to tally how much water people use on their lawns. The standard recommendation, especially where rainfall doesn’t do the job, is one inch of water per week.

MILESI: I came up to some numbers that I could not believe.

What are these unbelievable numbers? The total was 20 trillion gallons per year. On lawn-watering. You want a little context for that number? Consider we use just 30 trillion gallons to irrigate all our crops. Next Milesi calculated much carbon the turfgrass stores in the soil.

MILESI: Then I subtracted from it the amount of carbon that was associated with nitrogen fertilization, and the amount of carbon that was emitted by using a typical lawn mower.

And: what’d she learn?

MILESI: I learned that the turf would become a sink of carbon. This is not surprising. A plant, given plenty of attention, photosynthesizes carbon. But it comes at the cost of producing the fertilizer, mowing the grass and all the industry that comes around it.

So even with those costs included, lawns look pretty good from a carbon perspective. On the other hand, Milesi’s model didn’t include inputs like the carbon emissions from the trucks that lawn crews drive, or the original manufacture of all that lawn-care equipment. Nor did it include the energy used to deliver water to households, and clean it for human consumption.

MILESI: We should not forget that this is drinking water. I did not account for those costs.

And, as just about any economist will tell you, water is often woefully underpriced — which can lead to overuse. Especially if you’re growing a grass species that wasn’t meant to grow where you live.

STEINBERG: Kentucky bluegrass or creeping bentgrass evolved in the cool moist climes of northern Europe.

Ted Steinberg again.

STEINBERG: It’s not all that easy to grow them here in the continental United States and especially in arid parts of North America. If you go to California, you’ll find — still — lawns with cool-season turfgrass. Every square foot of that turfgrass requires 28 gallons of water, roughly speaking, per year. Every square foot. But that’s for the coastal environment. If you move inland to a more arid part of California, that number increases to 37 gallons of water.

Eric GARCETTI: We waste so much water.

That’s Eric Garcetti.

GARCETTI: I’m the mayor of the city of Los Angeles.

We spoke with Garcetti last year, when California was deep in drought. In Los Angeles, lawns and landscaping use a whopping 50 percent of Los Angeles’s water — and the drought had doubled what the city was paying to import water. So Garcetti used incentives to change behavior. The city paid residents to install rain barrels to capture water for their lawns; it paid them to replace their lawns with drought-tolerant plants.

GARCETTI: I said, “If you have a lawn and you’re using it, great. Keep it and pay for the water to water it. But if you’re not, let us pay you to switch that out to beautiful, flowering, green plants that use a lot less water.” We’re able to do that with over 50 million square feet of lawn just in the last couple years. We reduced our water usage by 19 percent without having to fine anybody, without having to crack down with the water police, but by inspiring people through public education and rebates, giving them free cisterns, changing out their toilets, all those sorts of things.

What works in California won’t necessarily work elsewhere. And California is more aggressive than most with environmental regulations. For instance: it’s currently pushing to lower emissions on lawn-care equipment, which tends to have particularly dirty little engines. They’re also really noisy.

Erica WALKER: If you hear the sound of a leaf blower, it has these really interesting low-frequency and high-frequency components.

That’s Erica Walker. She just got her Ph.D. in Environmental Health at Harvard.

WALKER: Not only is it traveling inside of your walls, but it has this high-pitched hum that’s really annoying.

In Boston, Walker helped compile a citywide noise report, which mapped, among other things, “leaf-blower annoyance levels.” A lot of places have banned leaf-blowers or restricted their hours — especially the noisier, gas-powered models. Walker was interested in the relationship between noise and public health in a city like Boston.

WALKER: Sleep disturbance is the direct relationship between sounds and negative health.

The World Health Organization suggests that daytime noise levels shouldn’t exceed 55 decibels. Walker wondered how leaf-blowers registered, even if you weren’t the one blowing the leaves.

WALKER: We see that even when you move 400 feet away from the point of operation, you’re still getting sound levels in excess of what the World Health Organization recommends. But then we also learned that these leaf blowers have a strong contribution from the lower frequencies. It has an ability to travel very long distances and penetrate through the walls. It’s really hard to mitigate. We see in the epidemiological literature that low-frequency sound is creating negative health effects above and beyond high-frequency sound.

[MUSIC: David Lange, “Waltz with Pierrot” (from Mélange)]

So what’ve we learned so far? We have a lot of lawn in America; and our pursuit of the perfect lawn is noisy and resource- and labor-intensive. They do, however, serve as carbon sinks — and, of course, they’re beautiful, at least many people think so. And useful — for playing, for picnicking, for relaxing. Coming up on Freakonomics Radio: we love lawns so much we even plant them beside our highways!

Alan TURNER: A standard cloverleaf takes up about 16 acres of lawn.

And: if you don’t want to have a lawn in your yard, what can you have?

Jim KOVALESKI: I think the best year I had it was like 2,000 pounds of sweet potatoes.

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Why did we make this episode, about the costs and benefits of lawns? Mostly because of you. Occasionally we ask Freakonomics Radio listeners for story ideas — especially for what we colloquially call our “Stupid Stuff” series — that is, things we do or use or submit to that are, on some level, kind of stupid. Well, last time we asked for your “Stupid Stuff” ideas, quite a few of them concerned lawns. Pat Allen from Trinity, Florida wrote: “What is up with the America addiction to lawns?” John Faulkner of Arlington, Virginia complained about noisy, smelly lawnmowers. And then there was Alan Turner.

TURNER: I’m from Newcastle, Delaware. My formal training, my initial career was in landscape architecture. Right now I’m looking at the highway median at the rest stop on I-95 just south of Wilmington, Delaware.

Turner’s pet peeve is what’s in that highway median: grass.

TURNER: It looks like this grass gets mowed three times in the summer, let’s say.

It’s not just in highway medians, but also those cloverleaf interchanges.

TURNER: A standard cloverleaf takes up about 16 acres of lawn.

Turner understands why these are all grass.

TURNER: Grass is cheap. Grass is the cheapest ground cover you can install. The problem with grass is that it’s also the most expensive ground cover to maintain.

And it has to be maintained — mowed, especially — for safety, for good sightlines. So you’ve got all that mowing. And all those traffic delays when the mowers are out there in the medians. Turner’s idea is to plant highway medians with plants that don’t require maintenance like grass does.

TURNER: The seed might cost slightly more, but that’s the only difference. Then you get a permanent ground cover that needs no mowing.

[MUSIC: Pat Andrews, “Happy Go Lucky”]

Doug HECOX: I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve ever been asked to talk to anybody about roadside vegetation management.

That’s Doug Hecox, with the Federal Highway Administration. It advises states on how to maintain their highway grass.

HECOX: Nobody asks us about plants. They ask us about traffic and potholes. I think, conservatively, we’ve got about 17 million acres of roadside vegetation.

Roadside grass dates back to the early days of auto travel.

HECOX: Having a grassy area near the road in case somebody broke down or wanted to rest after this ordeal of driving around … It was a very tempting option. That’s what began [it]. As time went on grass became an expectation, because everywhere you went, there it was. When you didn’t have it, people noticed it. That was the prevailing attitude.“We want these roads to look inviting. We want them to look like your front yard.”

That began to change as early as the 1960’s, as state and local governments realized how many resources went toward maintaining all that grass.

HECOX: In the 70s and 80s, we began to realize that water was really a big issue. States dealing with tight budgets began to plant native grasses, things that were a little bit more water-efficient.

And: grasses that didn’t require as much mowing. But still: how about Alan Turner’s idea to get rid of grass entirely in favor of something that requires no mowing?

HECOX: He does have a point. However, I’m also not willing to say that states haven’t already considered that. There may be reasons why they have to plant what they have. Budgets are so tight at the state D.O.T. level.

Okay, so what about not replanting but also just not mowing the grass at all?

HECOX: If you were to let something just go wild or return to nature, that sounds great. It sounds easy. It sounds cheap, and it is. It’s not necessarily the best choice, though. That’s where the invasive species thrive. In the south, you’ve got kudzu that grows all over the place. You’ve got other invasive species that pop up and start to proliferate, invading local neighborhood lawns or farmers’ crops. It can get out of control.

Sara WIGGINTON: I totally understand what he’s saying and that’s the assumption.

That’s Sara Wigginton.

WIGGINTON: But we have to look and see if what we assume is really what’s going to happen. That’s basically what we decided to do.

She’s an ecologist working on her Ph.D. at the University of Rhode Island.

WIGGINTON: My ecological research focuses on finding creative solutions to human-caused environmental issues.

She and her colleagues had a question about invasive species.

WIGGINTON: The question that we were trying to answer was if invasive species actually do proliferate in roadside areas that are taken out of the regular mowing management strategies.

They took advantage of a sort of natural experiment in Rhode Island. The Department of Transportation typically mows its roadsides anywhere from three to ten times a year. But over the past decade, it decided to significantly reduce mowing in some areas and eliminate it entirely in others.

WIGGINTON: We classify that as passive restoration because you’re just taking it out of the circulation and then letting it go, letting succession take course.

This allowed Wigginton and her colleagues to compare the number of invasive plant species in the mowed areas versus the unmowed, which had begun to grow wild. They also looked at young forests nearby, which had never been mowed. How did they collect those data?

WIGGINTON: It’s not super glamorous. We basically lay out really long tape using compasses to make straight angles. Then, in a very time consuming process, we document every single species that we see in these subplots.

What’d they find?

WIGGINTON: We found that invasive species are not proliferating significantly in these areas that are taken out of the traditional mowing scheme. They have the same number of invasives as both the young forests and the traditionally mowed areas. I would advise that state D.O.T.s move as much of their land as is reasonable to a reduced, low, or no-mow management scheme.

STEINBERG: The easiest thing to do is to elect to have what I call a low-maintenance lawn.

[MUSIC: Jetty Rae, “Queen of the Universe” (from Can’t Curse the Free)]

Ted Steinberg again. He’s talking about personal lawns now, not highway medians.

STEINBERG: Overtreatment is the single biggest problem that we have here in the United States with respect to lawn care. Right away, scale back on the chemical applications. You can get away with three applications of fertilizer per season. People also need to actually learn a little bit about the ecology of their yard. To do it right, you should get a soil test. Not a big deal. Leave the clippings on the lawn, for God’s sakes. Don’t put them out on the curb because the clippings break down and they return nutrients to the soil. I would argue, consider stopping the irrigation. Brown’s not so bad.

DUBNER: I think you just lost a lot of our lawn-loving audience right there.

STEINBERG: That’s too bad.

DUBNER: I’m not saying I disagree with you. I’m just saying that [when] people think of a lawn, brown is death. Brown is the enemy. Brown is not a lawn.

STEINBERG: The next time your lawn — if you’re worried about this — turns brown, go out there, get down on your hands and knees and look at the grass. It’s not dead. If you have a horrible drought, okay, I get it. But if it’s not, when it appears to be brown, it’s actually dormant. You’ll see a little bit of green where the blade meets the soil. The individual plants, most of them, are still alive.

DUBNER: Ted, even you would have to admit that if you got your way, and if America suddenly woke up and said, “You know what? A low-maintenance lawn is good enough. It makes a lot of sense. Aesthetically, it’s fine. Environmentally, it’s probably better. Noise wise, et cetera, et cetera.” But think of the jobs you’re killing. This is a pretty substantial part of the labor market. Especially for low-education workers. Are you, Ted Steinberg, professor of history and law, willing to take the heat for killing off all those jobs?

STEINBERG: One of the big problems that we have in the United States today, maybe even in the world, is a lack of meaningful employment. But actually, it might not be as dire as you’re implying here. You’re still going to need people to mow the lawn. Maybe not as much. You don’t really need to mow your lawn once a week. This could represent a savings, obviously, to consumers. It might not be the case that the floor is going to fall out of the job market because Ted Steinberg advocates for less in the way of perfection in lawn care.

There’s also the possibility of repurposing your yard entirely. Maybe a tennis court. Or an outdoor library. Or … taking a page from our past …

[MUSIC: Jetty Rae, “Born to Rise” (from Can’t Curse the Free)]

DUBNER:Hey, Jim. My name’s Stephen. How are you?

KOVALESKI: Good. Hi, Stephen. I’m Jim.

Jim Kovaleski is a front-yard farmer in New Port Richey, Florida, a small city just outside Tampa.

DUBNER: Let me ask you this: you came up in lawn care. Did you enjoy that work?

KOVALESKI: I might have thought I did. But now, every time I see a lawn trailer, I just shiver. It’s just like terror. So I don’t. No, I didn’t. And I had to use so many chemicals, especially as I came to Florida because the lawns they got here, they’ve got kinds of grass that will not grow without pesticides and herbicides. You can’t get them to do anything.

But vegetables and fruit are a different story. He grows sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas; star fruit and avocados …

KOVALESKI: Lettuce and broccoli and cabbage and cauliflower.

Kovaleski turned a front yard into productive farmland. He started with his own yard, then expanded to his mom’s house, down the street.

KOVALESKI: Then my ex-wife bought a house right next door to her three years ago and offered me her front yard, which [has] full sun. It’s allowed me to have a lot more growing space.

He sells his produce at a local farmer’s market.

KOVALESKI: The best year I had it was like 2,000 pounds of sweet potatoes. But theoretically, if I get better at this, this should produce like 15,000 pounds. I cannot believe how much value can come out of a small piece of land.

Kovaleski gardens all winter in Florida, then drives his 1965 cherry-red pickup truck to Maine, where he does the same thing. In both places, he’s best known for his salad mix.

KOVALESKI: I call it a greens mix. I plant very diverse. It could be a hundred different leafy greens. I’ll go through the garden and mix it as I pick it. Then I wash it, spin it, put it in a bag and sell that. In Florida, I probably sell 2,000 to 2,500 of those bags a year. In Maine, it’s pretty much the same mix. Maybe 1,000 up there. It’s a shortish season and it’s not as populated, so I make more of my money in Florida for sure.

DUBNER: How much money do you make?

KOVALESKI: You know, I’m doing really well. I do keep track because I want to show people how much you can make, because it’s pretty much a cash business. I could hide stuff but I haven’t. I’ve kept track for the last three years, or two years really good. First year that I kept good track was like 24 grand and then $27,000. I bet I’m on a pace of like $35,000 this year. I have very little expenses. So, you know, 35 grand’s a lot of money. I don’t know where to spend it, actually.

DUBNER: Do you have any help or no, it’s just you?

KOVALESKI: No, I’m a fussbudget.  I’ve learned that it’s more stressful for me to try to work with other people and make things happen. More of my focus is to see how productive a small piece of land can be. I’m seeing it every year I’m getting better at it.

DUBNER: Are there or were there any legal issues or ordinances you had to deal with to plant a garden in a front yard there?

KOVALESKI: We’re fortunate here because it is non-deed restricted community so there’s not much for ordinances. There’s nothing against the law to do this. Potentially, there could be some enforcement issues about height of vegetation, but [it] always looks so good that was never an issue.

DUBNER: You sound like a pretty live-and-let-live kind of guy. But on the other hand, it sounds like you would be happy if you started a front yard garden revolution.

KOVALESKI: I would. I wouldn’t think I’d be one to lead something like that, but I’ve found that people follow things that work. I haven’t done any promotion over this 10 years. But there’s been a lot of press. I’ve been amazed at how people are longing for this. It’s poised to take off. Potentially, we can put people back to work on the land.

[MUSIC: Addam Farmer, “Acoustic Hey Days” (from Jealousy Vol 2.]

A farm in every yard? That’s hardly the direction our economy has been moving in — either the agricultural economy or the lawn-care economy. But who’s to say? The rise of the lawn was probably not foreseen. Would a return to personal farming be any more surprising? That’s it for Freakonomics Radio this week. Coming up next time: Steve Hilton was for years the man behind, and beside, British prime minister David Cameron:

Steve HILTON: We haven’t been in touch since the Brexit vote. There’s not much to say beyond that.

Now he lives in America, where he’s taken up a new crusade:

HILTON: We want to end the way that big money donors dominate politics.

And while Hilton is nearly unknown here, that won’t last for long. He’s got a new show on Fox News, The Next Revolution.

HILTON: That is going to focus on what I’m calling “positive populism:” how we deal with the issues that have arisen as a result of the populist uprisings we’ve seen around the world.

Steve Hilton in all his candid, occasionally absurd glory:

HILTON: That’s right.

That’s next time, on Freakonomics Radio.

Freakonomics Radio is produced by WNYC Studios and Dubner Productions. This episode was produced by Christopher Werth. Our staff also includes Shelley Lewis, Stephanie Tam, Merritt Jacob, Greg Rosalsky, Eliza Lambert, Alison Hockenberry, Emma Morgenstern, Harry Huggins, and Brian Gutierrez; we also had help this week from Sam Bair. Thanks to Kevin Morris at the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, Teresa Adams at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Robert King of the Delaware Department of Transportation and Christopher Dilbeck and Dr. Michael Benjamin at the California Air Resources Board for their help in reporting this episode. Thanks also to Justin Mabee, Amy Sturgeon, Pat Allen, John Faulkner, Sara Schneewind and all of the other listeners who sent us their suggestions about lawn care. Ted Steinberg’s latest book is Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York. You can subscribe to Freakonomics Radio on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? appeared first on Freakonomics.

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Posted by: John S Kiernan

“Credit” has three definitions in the context of personal finance. It can refer to a system of commerce, one’s standing within that system or, in the accounting sense, funds that one receives.

We’ll explain each definition in more detail below.

1. System of Commerce

Credit allows us to buy now and pay later, using borrowed money to complete transactions. In exchange for the money supplied on “credit,” a lender can charge interest and fees. This also helps to offset the lender’s risk.

This system manifests itself in a number of different credit instruments. They include:

Credit Instrument	Explanation	Example
Revolving Credit	An account with a maximum spending limit and a minimum monthly payment, allowing a balance to be carried from month to month.	Most credit cards
Charge Card	An account with No Preset Spending Limit whose bill must be paid in full each month. It does not offer a grace period.	Many American Express rewards cards
Service Credit (unrelated to retirement benefits)	Services provided in advance of payment, thus requiring a credit check.	Utilities and cell-phone service
Installment Credit	A loan or line of credit for a specific amount, which typically must be repaid with interest in specified monthly allotments.	Auto loans and mortgages

2. Credit Standing / Creditworthiness

Credit can refer to a person’s or company’s standing within the overall system of lending and borrowing. In this sense, credit is measured by the contents of reports maintained by the major credit bureaus. And that information is quantified in the form of credit scores.

So if someone was to ask how good your credit is, for instance, he or she would likely be referring to the category it falls under: Excellent, Good, Fair/Limited or Bad. And answering would be as simple as checking your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.

3. The Budget Definition

Credit in the context of accounting refers to funds that you receive. The opposite of a credit is a “debit,” which refers to a payment that you make. A paycheck deposited to your bank account would be an example of a credit on your household’s balance sheet. Your credit-card payment would be a debit.

Odds are this final financial definition for credit is a bit less familiar to many folks, considering that only 40% of U.S. adults “have a budget and keep close track of their spending,” according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. But you can learn more about the accounting definition of this term from our Guide to Credits vs. Debits.

Final Thoughts

For more information on all things credit, check out WalletHub’s Education Center or pose a question to our community of experts. You can also keep tabs on your credit by signing up for a free WalletHub account. You’ll get free daily credit scores and reports, personalized money-saving advice, and 24/7 credit monitoring.     Image: Franz Wilhelm Franzelin / iStock.

from Wallet HubWallet Hub


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Posted by: Alina Comoreanu

The average credit score in the U.S. is anywhere from 669 to 699. It depends on which credit report and credit-score model are used, as the following table shows.

Type of Credit Score	2016 Average
TransUnion VantageScore	669
Experian VantageScore	673
Equifax VantageScore	699
FICO Score	699

Below, you can learn more about the average credit scores by year, state, age and more. Checking out these credit score statistics will give you a better sense of how good your credit score is relative to those of your peers. Credit-score averages can also tell us a lot about the health of consumers’ finances and the strength of the economy.

Finally, it’s important to note that while many different types of credit scores exist, the most popular ones all use the standard 300 to 850 credit-score range. They’re also based on the same information – your credit reports – and produce very similar results in most cases, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. So it doesn’t really matter whether an average credit score is based on a VantageScore or FICO model, as long the data is consistent. After all, there isn’t one “real” credit score.

1. Average Credit Score by Year

2. Average Credit Score by Age

3. Average Credit Score by State

Average Credit Score by Year

The average U.S. credit score can tell us a great deal about the health of consumers and the economy more broadly. That’s especially true when you examine credit-score averages over time. For example, the average VantageScore credit score improved by 11 points from 2007 to 2015, reflecting our rebound from the Great Recession. Credit-score statistics tend to be relatively slow to reflect such big economic events, however, making them somewhat unreliable for predictive purposes.

Sources: MyFICO.com & New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax

Get Your Free Credit Score Now

Average Credit Score by Age

Statistics show that credit scores tend to improve as people age. As you can see from the table below, the oldest people have the highest credit scores, on average. And scores decline by age group all the way to the youngest cohort, which has the lowest average credit score.

The accumulation of wealth and experience over time is the most likely explanation for this. As people age, they also tend to grow more financially responsible and secure, qualities that lend themselves to credit improvement. And the more time you have, the more opportunity there is to recover from mistakes. Another reason is the way credit scores are calculated. The length of your credit history accounts for a significant portion of your score (around 15%), for one thing.

Source: Experian 2016 State of Credit

There is not a direct correlation between credit quality and age, though. In 2016, the average person with bad credit was 11 years older than the average person with excellent credit, as the following table shows.

Credit Score Tier	Average Age
Excellent	41
Good	45
Fair/Limited	47
Bad	52

Source: WalletHub

Some people assume that younger folks have lower credit scores because they now face a tougher time obtaining credit due to the CARD Act’s restrictions. But you can still get a credit card when you turn 18. You just need to demonstrate that you have access to enough income or assets to afford the minimum monthly payments, which are usually around $15 to start.

Besides, 56% of college students have been using credit cards as of 2016, according to Sallie Mae, and the average student has three cards.

Average Credit Score by State

The average credit score by state ranges from 642 in Mississippi all the way to 702 in Minnesota. And both states are fairly representative of their broader regions, as you can see below. If you’re wondering, blue states have a higher average credit score (676) than red states (667).

Source: TransUnion

Credit Scores by Region:

The South has the worst credit, on average (657), whereas the Midwest has the best (680). In fact, four of the five states with the highest average credit scores are in the Midwest. With that being said, every region has at least one state whose residents boast good credit, on average.

So while job opportunities, living costs and other local factors definitely affect credit-score averages, it’s also true that credit scores can flourish anywhere.

Region	Average Credit Score
Northeast	676
South	657
Midwest	680
West	676

from Wallet HubWallet Hub


via Finance Xpress

Learning how to achieve financial independence and retire early (FIRE) is pretty simple in theory. I’ve covered some key technical concepts is past articles. These include the math behind building wealth quickly and simple tax planning strategies common in the FIRE community.

While the concepts are simple in theory, they are not always easy in practice. I’ve studied early retirees and discovered key strategies and patterns of behavior that separate them from those living a more conventional lifestyle. Continuing that theme, I have identified three actions that have been key in allowing for my own early retirement. Oh, and I’m only 41 years old.

I Wrote My Own Story

“The story you tell yourself becomes your reality” — Chad Kellogg, American alpinist

It is documented that you are more likely to obtain goals when you write them down. I propose you go one step further and write your own story.

In my case, I observed the happiest and most passionate people I knew were my “ski bum” or “dirtbag” climbing friends. However, most were living a life of financial risk with little security.

I also observed many on the other side of the spectrum: professional people who had money and prestige. However, they were trading away most of their time working while they still had the health, energy, and vitality to pursue their passions. At the end of the day, few seemed genuinely happy or fulfilled.

The common narrative is that you must choose between a false dichotomy of life focused on career and money or a life focused on things like passion, fulfillment, and family. I wasn’t happy with this choice, though. I wrote a simple essay about having the best of both worlds, which I titled “Dirtbag Millionaires.” Then, I started figuring out how to piece that life together for myself.

Who Writes Your Story?

This may all sound cliché, even a little cheesy. However, if we think about it, someone is writing each of our stories. It’s just a matter of who that someone is.

• Do most people carry debt in the form of a car payment because it is a great financial decision, or even because cars bring us true happiness? Or do people make this decision because advertisers and car salesmen are writing their stories for them?
• Are our ever-bigger homes, and the 30-year mortgages needed to pay for them, really the American dream? Or, are realtors and mortgage companies writing most people’s stories?
• Do most people retire in their 60s or 70s simply because it is best to spend their younger years working? Or are government policies, conventional financial advice, and social expectation writing people’s stories?

It is important to realize we all have the ability to create our own narrative. And if you want to retire early, writing this story is mandatory.

I Defined Success Carefully

“…you should have a running list of three people that you’re always watching: someone senior to you that you want to emulate, a peer who you think is better at the job than you are and who you respect, and someone subordinate who’s doing the job you did…better than you did it.” –Chris Fussell, former US Navy SEAL officer

I recently came across the above quote in Tim Ferriss’ new book, Tools of Titans. It came in response to the question, “How do you define success?” Personally, I think this is excellent advice for those looking to do something extraordinary with their lives. Nearly everyone follows the same path: birth, school, work, retire, die. For those of us on a different path, though, it can be challenging to gauge how we are really doing. Having, and watching, these three people in our life gives us a yardstick against which we can compare our progress.

My wife and I worked with a conventional financial advisor for about a decade. He repeatedly told us how well we were doing. Compared to our peers leading a conventional lifestyle, he was right. However, following conventional financial advice meant massive investing and tax planning mistakes. This cost us over $20,000 in excessive fees, unnecessary taxes, and opportunity costs in just our last year of using his services.

Taking Control of Our Wealth

About five years ago, I’d had enough and took control of my finances. I began reading early retirement blogs like Early Retirement Extreme. Soon after, I moved to Mr. Money Mustache and The Mad Fientist. While each of these blogs was very enlightening and technically helpful, I found that their focus on the fastest and most efficient path to retirement was not consistent with my values.

Related: How to Build Wealth Quickly So You Can Retire Early

I became overly focused on money and retirement. Despite already having a very high savings rate, I began watching every penny we spent. I became excessively focused on regretting past financial mistakes and wanting a future of freedom from work.

For the first time in my life, money became a stressor. While my knowledge and wealth grew, I became less happy.

I needed better benchmarks to compare myself against… a way to define our success. So, I began to search for others whose attitudes and values better lined up with my own.

I Found My Peers

I continued reading early retirement blogs to find others who had already done what I wanted to do. Two that I found extremely helpful were Todd Tresidder at Financial Mentor and Darrow Kirkpatrick at Can I Retire Yet? They demonstrated a more sustainable path to FIRE and were living lives consistent with what I desired in my own retirement.

I then began connecting with peers who had comparable stories and were at similar places on their journey. This included the bloggers behind Our Next Life, who are on our same timeline to retirement and share our passion for the outdoors. I became friends with Chad Carson, who has taken a very different path to FIRE as a real estate investor, but has very similar values, interests, and family situation to my own.

Learn More: How to Make Money Blogging

I also connected with the bloggers behind Slowly Sipping Coffee after reading their description of a “fully funded lifestyle change,” which was more in line with our values than a traditional retirement. More recently, my wife and I joined a mastermind group of similar couples. Having peers on a similar journey has been very helpful. We are able to share the triumphs and discuss the challenges of this unusual lifestyle.

Finally, I began connecting with those behind me in their journey to FI. This includes Jared Casazza, who writes the blog Fifth Wheel Physical Therapist about his journey from 6 figure debt to FI in 5 years. It also led me to connect with a Dough Roller reader/listener Andrew, who I have been coaching for the past few months.

Helping those behind me has forced me to develop a deeper understanding of our own ideas, theories, and processes. Learning their stories has made me appreciative of how far we have come on our own journey.

I Redefined Retirement

“…the old story was freedom from: freedom from work, freedom from having to get up in the morning, freedom from lots of things. The new story is freedom to.” –Richard Leider, Author of “Life Reimagined”

Many people think early retirement is difficult, if not impossible. They think it is too hard to save enough money to support them indefinitely. Following the 4% rule seems like it would be stressful. They do not know how they would ever pay for health insurance. They think they would get bored.

I agree partially (or fully) with all of the above sentiments if retirement is defined in a traditional sense. Worse yet, retirement often deviates from the happy, carefree time so many imagine. In fact, retirement is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression! This didn’t sound like anything I wanted for myself, so I simply redefined retirement.

I stopped worrying about trying to save every penny, with the idea that retirement meant never again making money. I have accepted that the future is always uncertain, so I focused on building a substantial nest egg while also building great flexibility into my plan. This allowed me to reach a point where earning money will never again be the central focus of my life. Going forward, my life may, at times, look very different. It may look like that of a part-time or seasonal worker, stay-at-home dad, entrepreneur, ski bum, freelancer, student, teacher… or any combination of the above.

Related: Is the RAM Better Than the 4% Rule?

Building the Life I Want

Seth Godin has a great quote: “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” I chose to apply this idea to retirement planning.

Not needing to make money will give me freedom with my time. Building in a plan to also do some paid work will give me the opportunity to live a lifestyle of abundance, rather than one focused around a strict budget. It will also allow me to continue to build social connections and live a purpose driven life.

There are probably some of you who would criticize this plan as “not really retired.” However, this definition of retirement is in alignment with the principles of the “Life Reimagined” program, developed by AARP to address the many challenges and downsides of traditional retirement.

Taking Your Own Action

When I started getting serious about early retirement, I became obsessed with the technical how-tos. I needed to plan out where my financial threshold was — how much did I need to save now, in order for this flexible plan to really work? While I don’t have every step planned out and I don’t know exactly what my retirement will look like down the road, I know that I am happy with the freedom and flexibility it provides me. It’s important to realize just how possible it is for you to achieve a similar outcome, too.

Write your own story; develop systems to measure your progress, and define what you want for your life. You may be amazed by where you find yourself in just a few short years.

Topics: Personal Finance

The post How I Achieved Financial Independence By Age 40 appeared first on The Dough Roller.

via Finance Xpress

Posted by: John S Kiernan

You don’t have to go away to really “get away” if you’re in need of a summer escape. And we don’t mean getting lost in your imagination or a gripping novel, however far such avenues can transport you. Rather, a “staycation” might be in order, especially if you aren’t inclined to drive or fly long distances or simply can’t afford to use your vacation time, the unfortunate reality for nearly a third of us who work.

There are certain places that offer a plethora of options for entertainment and relaxation at the right price point, making those cities the perfect spots for staying local.

To help you decide whether to leave home or bring vacation to your front door, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the 150 largest cities based on 36 key indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation. Read on for the full ranking, our methodology and useful staycationing tips from experts.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts: The Pros & Cons of Staycations
3. Methodology

Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/4341/geochart-staycation.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2sdqYaD;

 

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘Recreation’ Rank	‘Food & Entertainment’ Rank	‘Rest & Relaxation’ Rank
149	Oxnard, CA	24.69	146	150	133
150	Chula Vista, CA	22.91	139	147	150

Ask the Experts:  The Pros & Cons of Staycations

There’s a difference between a staycation and business as usual in the context of staying local. And it all has to do with how you spend your time in the city you call home. For advice on making the best of your staycation, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?
2. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?
3. What is the best time of year to have a staycation?
4. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

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• Allen Z. Reich Professor in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University
• Doug Kennedy Professor and Chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College
• Thomas P. Sweeney Limited Term Assistant Professor of Recreation & Tourism Management at Georgia Southern University
• Jonathan R. Hicks Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Susan Barnett Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland
• Jim Sibthorp Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at University of Utah
• Andrew Szolosi Associate Professor of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University
• M.T. Hickman Lead Faculty of Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management at Richland College
• Donna K. Lindenmeier Associate Professor of Recreation Management, Recreational Therapy and Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University
• Ramon B. Zabriskie Professor and Coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation and Management Major at Brigham Young University
• Gyan Nyaupane Professor of Tourism and Graduate Program Director in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University
• Holly J. Bean Doctoral Student of Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Southern Maine
• Dan Caston Assistant Professor of Recreation Leadership at Ferrum College

Allen Z. Reich Professor in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? First, let’s get some definitions out of the way. Vacation has had several meanings over the years -- over the centuries, but is most often associated with physically and mentally vacating your current premise -- taking a holiday from your normal surroundings. The definition of staycation varies from person to person. For most of us, it would be simply sleeping at home, but doing something a little out of the ordinary that would produce some of the same sense of newness and relaxation as traditional vacations. This could be getting to know your immediate community a little better or taking day trips to local attractions or restaurants that you’ve been meaning to visit. A lesser used meaning of the term would apply to those with deeper pockets, and could include staying with the borders of one’s country. “We’ve been to Europe so many times, we haven’t been to Wyoming yet, so let’s go there this summer. Second, is the mildly crazy (and perhaps embarrassing) fact that a large percentage of residents of a community have seen less of their community than people that travel there for a vacation. If this is your reality, then the staycation is a great opportunity to do what you probably should have done long ago and to do something that is relaxing, enjoyable, and educational, that doesn’t break the bank. Depending on one’s sense of community, helping out a local charitable organization may be just the thing to help you recharge your physical and emotional energy. Third, whether the goal is a truly relaxing staycation or virtually any activity that one or more people may participate in, the next consideration is to find out what activities are most desirable to those involved. For example, someone that sits in an office all day may consider a hike on a mountain path to be relaxing, while someone that works on their feet most of the day, may want to do something less physically taxing, such as a spa retreat. As I write this, I can’t help but think about diversions that make me the happiest -- music, woodworking, and anything to do with bodies of water, be it lakes, rivers, creeks, or oceans -- seeing it, fishing, eating fish, and boating. Fourth, staycations are often less stressful than many traditional vacations. Since you know the area much better than more distant locals, you will generally feel more comfortable with your surroundings. One of my most stressful experiences was a vacation in another country where we were constantly worried about catching the next bus or train, the best places to stay or dine. We would get to our hotel at night and be exhausted. Staycations, guided tours, and cruises are now much higher on our list of options. Just yesterday, I booked a short vacation for my family. Before we’ve even left the house, I’ve already spent several thousand dollars and in the end will probably spend over $5,000 for a less than a week out of town. This makes that fine-dining restaurant that we’ve been wanting to go to seem a lot more reasonable. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Walking downtown, touring locally owned -- non-chain shops, talking with workers about their knowledge of the local area or where they’re from. If you’re lucky, you may run into some of the crafters that make items that the shops are selling. Taking the kids to the local city hall or court house can be both a civics lesson and give one a sense of getting closer to one’s community. Volunteering for a local charity not only doesn’t break the bank, but teaches kids the importance of giving back. My family’ main activity in this area is the Flagstaff Family Food Center where we help prepare meals for those in need. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I have two answers to this question. The first is whatever makes you happiest. For most of us this will be Spring -- the greening of the environment and the proliferation of small animals and birds. The second, and I think the most truthfully beneficial, is that any time of year should be ideal for a staycation. It’s not healthy to stay cooped up inside for months waiting for your favorite season or weather. One benefit of this perspective is that this positive attitude will, or at least should, have an impact on most other facets of your life. Finally, I’m appreciative of the opportunity to prepare these brief comments on staycations. It has helped me realize that my family and I need to take advantage of the many local opportunities that we have in our community. Doug Kennedy Professor and Chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? I can't stress this enough, either turn off the Wi-Fi completely or find a way to limit the amount of accessto the internet. The single biggest challenge to relaxing during a staycation is not treating it like a "work-from-home day," even for a little while. Vacations are rooted in the notion that people experience something new. With half of all workers leaving vacation time unused at the end of every year, and electronic access to work so easy, people need to really prepare for the temptation of staying connected to the workplace and how difficult it can be to avoid. Unless work is avoided at all costs, there's nothing "new" about a staycation if it lets work creep in. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Get outside. As our lives, especially our children's, continue to be shaped by sedentary indoor activities, there's never been a more important time to renew our relationship with the outdoors. Local, state, and national parks are unbelievable bargains. Also, consider geocaching. Apps are free and kids love the thrill of hunting for one of the thousands of "caches" around the country. Lastly, consider lunch for the meal that's eaten out. So many great restaurants have wonderful lunch menus at lower prices and are much more relaxed mid-day. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best time of the year for a staycation relates to the emotional and the practical. Both have to be aligned. For example, the accountant who's just finished tax season emotionally might really want a staycation, but with kids in school that might not be practical. Likewise, the staycation that happens between Christmas and New Years when kids are out of school but a million holiday commitments are present might not allow for a mental break. People need to be realistic and ask themselves "Can I/we really turn the world off for a while, and do we need that?" In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

• Variety of food choices. I'm amazed at how many people report that their staycation gave them the prefect reason to explore all the restaurants they'd been meaning to try out.

• Nearby destinations. No one wants to start every day of their staycation by driving two hours. Decide what that distance is when the thrill of the trip wears off. For most people that's about an hour tops.

• Outdoor opportunity. 40% of the country lives in a county connected to a coastline, so water-based activities are available. Then there's the west where mountains are at the ready. Whether it's those or any other features of our land, the opportunity to explore the outdoors needs to be considered.

• Special events. A regular schedule of festivals and special events throughout the year provide a great way to anchor a staycation.

• Minor league and not just major league. Tickets to a "major" sports league game can be a bank-breaker for many families. The same could be said for Broadway tickets. However, a similar experience can be gained at a fraction of the price when a city has a minor league team or vibrant community arts scene.

Thomas P. Sweeney Limited Term Assistant Professor of Recreation & Tourism Management at Georgia Southern University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? When people decide to forgo travel to have a staycation, it’s important they remember that this is, first and foremost, a vacation, meaning you have an opportunity to disengage from work and your normal routine to have a quality recreation experience. Don’t let the fact that you aren’t going very far from your home base detract from the overall purpose. There are a couple of ways that you can ensure that you can have a great staycation. First, plan. It’s safe to assume that if you were going to take a trip you would do research to make sure that you had the best possible experience. Why should it be any different if it’s a staycation? Think about what you want to do and then research options in your area. Just because you live in a place doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about it, doing some research could uncover something you didn’t even know existed. Second, step outside of your normal routine and try something new. It’s very easy if we aren’t leaving our city, town, or normal area, to go where we always go and do what we always do, but don’t fall into that trap! Is there a restaurant that you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t? Go! A golf course that is normally “too expensive, crowded, etc.?” Play it! You’re on vacation. Third, disconnect. Turn off your phone, don’t check your email, and don’t take a call from your boss. If you were 3,000 miles away on a desert island somewhere you wouldn’t care if your inbox filled up, so don’t care on your staycation either. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? There are so many options available to people through state and local parks and recreation agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit agencies that are great for families. State and local parks are a great way to get everyone outside, into nature, for minimal to no cost. There’s often programming for all age groups and admission is usually free or only a small donation. If the great outdoors isn’t your thing, I would recommend looking into programs offered through your local recreation agencies. There is often very diverse programming for all ages and families that is very cost-effective or free. If you’re looking for something more specific, family art projects are great for kids, cooking meals together or going out to eat as a family to a new restaurant or type of food is always exciting, and I always recommend going to minor league professional sports games, if there is one fairly close by, for a more cost effective alternative to the top level of sports. If you’re a little more adventurous, try hiking, camping, and the many trampoline parks that are popping up all over the place. The main thing you want to consider, no matter what you choose, is that it’s something that everyone will enjoy. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I really don’t think there is a best or worst time of year for a staycation, it’s all about what you’re looking for as an individual and the types of activities in which you are interested in participating. Recreation is very subjective, so whatever time of year is more conducive to creating a positive leisure experience for you, that is the best time of year for a staycation. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? This is a tough question to generalize because what people are looking for is going to be very specific to their individual recreation needs, however, I think that there are some broad categories that can encompass a lot of elements that can make a staycation experience a good one.

• Cost: The purpose of a staycation is often to save money, so you want to make sure the recreation options that are available are going to be cost effective.

• Diversity of opportunities: The more recreation opportunities, and the types of recreation opportunities that are available, the better. Cities that have something for everyone are typically the best for staycations.

• Access/Ease of travel: Being able to get places fairly easily and reasonably quickly is an absolute must. The last thing you want is to spend your staycation stuck in traffic or driving hours to reach your destination. Obviously, everyone has their own tolerances for how much they’re willing to travel for their experience, but typically I find that more time doing what you actually want to be doing the better.

• Amenities: The auxiliary or ancillary spaces related to or surrounding a recreation venue can either enhance or detract from the overall experience. Having good amenities available, whether it’s food, parking, reception areas, or locker areas can put your experience over the top.

• Favorable Recreation Environment: Some cities and areas view recreation more favorably than others, which can dramatically influence a recreation experience, especially for locals. Most places hone in on tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and try to create experiences to bring people from other places to their respective city, town and area. While this is a good thing, people who live there do not have the same needs as those coming in from out of town. Cities who view recreation in a broader context create a leisure culture that not only attracts tourism, but makes a city a better place to live, work and experience recreation are the best places for staycations.

Jonathan R. Hicks Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? The ideal vacation provides an escape and an opportunity to recharge your batteries. Try not to treat your staycation like it is any less significant than a conventional vacation. To choose a staycation means not flying away to a far-off paradise; but just because you are not in Hawaii doesn’t mean your staycation is any less important. Try to make decisions that you would in paradise: turn off your phone, set an email away message, take a deep breath, and find a quiet space. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? When on a staycation, I always start by visiting websites for the area tourism bureau and nearby parks departments. The very nature of tourism and parks departments are to promote opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. The scope of parks departments in particular has really grown in recent years; parks are no longer just places for playgrounds and picnics. Many parks departments provide access to concerts, botanical and sculpture gardens, zoos, museums, beaches, hiking, and golf -- often for nominal or no fees. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? Of course, the best answer is always “it depends.” Schedules, particularly of parents, often dictate that staycations happen in the summer. However, I personally enjoy winter trips, preferably soon after the holidays. Destinations that would be filled with summer tourists are often much more laid back and easy to access in the winter. Accommodations are easier to book and are generally noticeably less expensive. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

• Climate: If you dislike snow, a January trip to Yellowstone National Park is probably not a good choice for you.

• Geographic proximity: I prefer to stay within 500 miles/8 hours of home. Spending too much time in a car can detract from your ability to relax.

• Affordability: The top motivation for a staycation is usually cost.

• Novelty: Find a combination of familiar and unfamiliar places. We often overlook local tourist destinations; staycations are great times to explore those spaces.

• Ease of access: Once you have arrived, no one wants to wait in line. Identify places or times of year that will allow you to access places with minimal delay.

Susan Barnett Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Staycations can be relaxing if families make the same preparations to stay home as they would to go on vacation. This includes informing employers, co-workers and employees of the time off as vacation and not saying, “well, I’ll still be around," setting email "away messages," and turning digital devices to “airplane” mode. In addition, prepare to stay by cleaning the house, grocery shop in advance, and complete any errands. Plus, make rules as a family to not do household work or tasks. Completing little tasks ahead of time will help the family feel more on vacation and less like it is a day off of work. By preparing to be “away," families will have more time together and less stress during the days of their staycation. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Families could look for local festivals within the region of their home. Most festivals have a low to no cost entrance fee, provide entertainment for the whole family, and typically are a few days. Another idea is that families could explore the state and national parks within an hour drive of their home. If multiple parks are nearby, an annual parks pass is a cost effective way to see many of the state and national parks. Pack a lunch to save money on food costs as well. Many cities have multiple types of playgrounds (some with water features), so families could playground hop. Lastly, the local city park and recreation district is a great resource for low or no cost activities during the year (particularly in the summer) with movies in the park, exercise classes, swimming and more. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best part of staycations is that you can go on one whenever you want! Ideally, going on a staycation during non-peak travel months will result in lower crowds and better deals than peak travel months. If families are in a major city, visiting local tourist attractions during the middle of the week reduces the crowds as well. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? I look for package deals on multiple attractions, low costs on public transportation and parking, outdoor spaces for picnics and playgrounds, inclusive environments for the entire family (from young to old, strollers to wheelchairs), and plenty of safe walking or bike paths. Jim Sibthorp Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at University of Utah What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? From a “family benefit” perspective, I’d probably suggest a low cost alternative (such as camping) vacation instead of a staycation. I think it is difficult to disconnect from everyday concerns when staying in your same house connected to the internet. I’d suggest something where you can unplug and focus on family/social/the immediate moment. Obviously, it has to be something considered fun by your family. If your family is not into camping in the woods, maybe camping by a reservoir where they can swim or renting a canoe. I also think staycations are difficult because saying “no” to standing commitments such as soccer practice for the kids or quickly checking in on work emails is inauthentic -- meaning there is no mechanical reason why you can’t do these things. So, the making decisions on yes/no is a constant process. If you are physically removed and/or disconnected, participation in standing commitments is not really an option and, thus, not a decision that you have to make. You’ve already made it. Andrew Szolosi Associate Professor of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? A staycation, similar to a vacation, aims to provide a person with a break from the demands in their everyday life. As people, we often seek out such breaks when we are mentally or physically tired. That said, people generally choose vacation destinations they believe will support their needs. As a restorative experience, I believe the most effective staycations perhaps offer a person with an opportunity to interact with sources of fascination (i.e., water, greenery, vistas, or perhaps something novel). These kinds of fascinations provide a basis for resting our mental resources that frequently get worn down through work and the routine demands in our everyday life. Although nature provides abundant sources of fascination (birds, waterfalls, sunsets etc.), a person could experience this sense of fascination when visiting a local restaurant they have never been to or a local museum or historic area. Beyond being a new experience, which itself can be fascinating, these kinds of experiences tend to allow a person to escape or gain a sense of being away. Being away, both physically and cognitively, is absolutely critical for a staycation or any type of experience to be restorative. A person could travel thousands of miles to the most pristine and beautiful landscape and still not obtain freedom from their daily work demands. Unfortunately, smartphones are largely responsible for making this aim more difficult to achieve in our society. Given that consideration, a person might just as easily obtain the rest they need by visiting a local park or restaurant they have never been to. These settings, under the right circumstances, could transport a person away from the everyday environment that places demand on their emotional and cognitive resources. In addition to finding places and activities that offer some sense of fascination and being away, people should choose a place or activity that will sustain their interest and will be compatible or support their needs. Some people want the sublime quiet that nature offers, while others want the excitement of a big city. Research has shown that the most effective restorative experiences possess these kinds of factors: fascination, being away, extent, and compatibility. I would suspect that these same factors play a role in having a truly relaxing staycation. Activities that could facilitate a positive family staycation and that may possess some of the factors mentioned earlier could be:

• Hiking your local metro parks.

• Renting a canoe or kayak and exploring a local lake or river.

• Visiting a local historic area.

• Camping out at your local state park.

• Ride bikes on a local bike trail.

• Picnic in the park.

• Visit the local art, history, or science museum.

• Take a cooking or pottery class.

• Eat at a local ethnic restaurant.

• Attend the weekly farmer's market in the area.

• Movie in the park.

M.T. Hickman Lead Faculty of Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management at Richland College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? The goal of a staycation should be the same as an away from home vacation. It is a time to relax and rejuvenate and do things that you don’t normally do.

• If you wake up to an alarm every day, turn it off. Take time for naps.

• Create an out of the office message and don’t check e-mail or limit time on work activities. The staycation should be treated just like an away from home vacation.

• Put out jigsaw puzzle and all the family can work on.

• If budget allows -- rent a different car.

• Make small changes to the home that make it feel different.

• This could be setting out a fruit bowl like you see at a hotel and or placing fresh flowers in every room. Burn candles in incent to change the fragrance of the home.

• Sleep in a different bed. If you have a guest room, become the guest in your own home.

• Create your own turn down service and put candy on the bed.

• Discover the unique in your community.

• Research the local Tourism/Convention Bureaus and see what they are doing to promote your area to visitors. Visit DFW is an excellent site to locate attractions and things to do.

What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?

• Festivals are my favorite -- most are family friendly, free of charge and include music.

• Attend minor league sporting events (baseball, soccer, hockey). These are cheaper both in tickets and on-site refreshments than major leagues.

• Pack your own lunch. Eating out is so expensive but with a little planning the family can be off for an all-day adventure and have a healthy inexpensive meal.

• Use public transportation. Many locations charge for parking, when available try taking the train or bus.

• Find activities that are educational.

• Check out the local library for events and activities. Have a family book reading.

• Take a field trip to see government in action.

• Find activities that give back. Research local charities and have the family vote on what to do. Is there a food bank that needs help? In Dallas the North Texas Food Bank is always looking for help

• Volunteer to clean up a park.

• Take advantage of group and special discounts.

• If you can schedule you staycation with another families, you can take advantage of group discounts to museum. Most groups start with 10-15 people.

• Most places offer military and student discounts.

• Experience another country in your own back yard. Take the family to an ethnic grocery store and purchase food to create a family dinner. I can spend hours in the local Chinese market.

• Discover the great outdoors: arboretum, local parks, public swimming pools, area lakes and rivers.

• Family Camping in the back yard or garage -- set up a tent -- and don’t go in the house for the night.

• Family dance off – Each family member sleets a song to dance to on the computer and everyone dances. This can be done on the fly -- one family member selects disco, the next Rapp music. It is a fun way to experience everyone’s musical taste.

What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I like the spring and fall because of all the festivals. One thing to consider is the day of the week. Weekends are when most people are off work and when attractions are the busiest. Set your staycation to the weekdays; this is also when you can get the best deals. Check when museums are open, some will close on Mondays. If summer is the only option -- try to get to museums early to avoid the crowds. Donna K. Lindenmeier Associate Professor of Recreation Management, Recreational Therapy and Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?

• Treat a staycation the same as a “go away” vacation -- turn off the office cell, do not plan house cleaning chores, pause the regularly scheduled activities for you and your family (soccer practice, etc.), and plan it the same as a go away vacation.

• If you are staying in an area hotel, pack as if you are going to an away hotel -- do not continually run back home for stuff.

• Remember that this is your vacation -- close to home or far away, you need to get into the vacation mindset.

• Plan activities that are fun and interesting. If you have said, “I live here and I have not done X,” this is the time to try some of those things.

• Pretend that you have left your home area. This way, you are less likely to “just run this one errand” while doing vacation stuff.

• Home or away, this is your vacation; you have earned it. Do not feel guilty about taking vacation. This can often be more difficult if at home, so be aware. Have a vacation mindset word that you tell yourself when you remember that the dry cleaning needs to be picked up and you are two blocks away at the park. It is okay to ignore the dry cleaning this week.

What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?

• There are lots of things to do locally and the options are going to depend on where you live. However, there is no need to spend huge amounts of money to have fun. Some of the best fun can even be free.

• Get information from your local Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Bureau, and/or the State Travel Information (name varies by state). There are probably some things you do not even know in your area.

• Some inexpensive ideas can include: hiking in the area park or nature area, go to the local park and have a picnic, go to the movies, pile pillows on the floor and have a movie marathon, review some interesting cookbooks and cook an exotic meal, go to the local zoo, go to an area water park.

• Book a room in an area hotel that has a swimming pool and play in the water. This gives you a night away from the house, and the pool will not be as crowded as a city pool.

• Look at the offerings in your city’s park and recreation department for interesting one day events. Expand your search to the surrounding cities, area community centers, trade education agencies, and private businesses that offer fun activities (like chocolate candy workshop).

• Watch for area festivals. Many have minimal or no entrance fee, have great music, and lots to see.

What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best time for a staycation depends on your location, what you want to do, and when you can take time off. There are probably more activities available in the summer for families, but less demand (more availability) during the school year. Just like a go away vacation, it all depends on when you can go. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Remember that this is your vacation and the best indicators for evaluating a city for your staycation, are a) if there are a variety of options for what to do, b) if you can find fun things to do that truly interest you. If not, look on down the road. Top indicators for great cities for staycations will depend on what you like the most.

• If you want nature, consider places with nature centers, wildlife preserves, and area state/national parks.

• If you want nightlife and glitz, consider your close metropolitan cities.

• If you want family-friendly activities, consider your suburban cities.

• The cities that seem to offer the most variety tend to be great tourist destinations anyway.

• A great resource for discovering the fun activities in your area is your state tourism bureau. Look for web pages that tell “what is happening” in a region of the state during the spring, fall, summer, winter. Some will be per year; others will be per season.

Ramon B. Zabriskie Professor and Coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation and Management Major at Brigham Young University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Obviously, things vary a little based on the family structure (no children, young children, adolescent children, older couple, grandchildren, etc.) but here a couple of general tips. Involve every family member in the planning (including the very youngest to the very oldest). Great vacations and staycations start long before the actual “event.” The planning, anticipation, preparation, etc. is all part of a meaningful staycation experience. The fact that the family is willing to encourage, listen to, and utilize ideas from all family members also contributes to a successful family staycation long before it actually happens. Be willing to try new, different, simple, or less simple activities. Nothing is too simple or regular and nothing is too crazy or impossible if you’re willing to be creative with your staycations. A “Trip to Hawaii” to swim on the beach or to “The Caribbean” are certainly great staycation ideas. Swimming could be a splash pool in the yard, a slip and slide, sprinklers, the community pool, the pool at the City Parks and Recreation Center, a local water park, a local lake, or beach. Of course, Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian punch, Hawaiian food, flip flops, glasses, etc. are all part of a staycation trip to Hawaii. When was the last time you packed up the family and went to the local pool? Did you even know there were 14 different Polynesian restaurants in town? What about that place across town that has the Flow Rider where you can take the whole family to learn how to “surf?” A staycation luau will also be necessary and everyone must learn how to limbo! And of course, the great thing about a staycation Hawaiian vacation is you get to come home and sleep in your own bed each night. Also, you can invite grandma and grandpa (if they’re local) to just one day of your staycation. Remember to be flexible. While good family planning and creativity is essential for a successful staycation, being able to be flexible, adjust, and adapt is just as important. As a matter of fact, that is one of the characteristics often developed and refined during family recreation experiences that is vital to family health and wellness. So, if your family Caribbean staycation including a day at the local water park, a Pirates of the Caribbean movie marathon in costume, fencing lessons, fishing at the local urban fishing pond, a trip to an interesting museum across town, etc. gets too busy, or it rains, or the museum is closed -- you may need to adjust, just go for a walk, play a board game with your pirate hats on and eat popsicles, go on a bike ride, play Frisbee or build a sandcastle at the neighborhood park, or just take a nap, hang a hammock and relax. It is important to remember you are on a family vacation. No work! Be with the family on vacation. That doesn’t mean that activities and experiences from your staycation don’t become integrating into regular family life during non staycation times. As a matter of fact, that’s one of the added benefits of staycations. Discovering new local resources, family interests, and regular home based activities to do together that can become part of your regular day to day families experience is also one of the most salient and important aspects of family life in terms of family functioning and wellness. Intentionally search for local activities and resources that you may typically over look, not consider, or not even know about. Small town celebrations, holiday events, state fairs, free community events, Parks & Recreation events, and local museums, parks, trail systems, bike paths, lakes, streams, factories, recreation centers, specialty shops, etc. can help facilitate priceless family experiences and staycations at little to know cost. When we moved to Indiana to teach fulltime and complete my Ph.D. with 3 young kids, we had very little time or resources for family vacations. My wife found a book of 365 things to do in Indiana that was just what we needed to get us started. Our family did more things, had more adventures, and saw more places in our three years in Indiana than most Hoosiers new existed. Who knew we could pan for gold, see a working water wheel and churn butter at a historical park, learn to scuba dive, navigate a boat through underground river and see blind cave fish and salamanders, go through a narrows canyon while spelunking, eat some of things we ate at local celebrations, get kidnapped by your kids and taken to a kids center and play laser tag, find a natural water slide, go to museums, children’s museums, zoos, fish for steelhead and salmon, have turtle races, camp, visit historical places, and play board games by candlelight during a tornado warning, etc. as a family during a little to no time and budget period in our lives. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Seek resources, chamber of commerce, Parks & Recreation departments, websites, celebrations, community events, the Walmart game shelves, etc. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? Any time! Also, when everyone else leaves town for their vacations -- you plan your staycation! Gyan Nyaupane Professor of Tourism and Graduate Program Director in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation?

• Check local attractions close to your home where tourists come and visit.

• Avoid long weekends and holidays. Rather, if you are flexible, pick the days when other people are working. For example, Tuesday through Thursday.

• Check last minute deals, such as hoteltonight.com. Local resorts offer great deals during the off-season.

• Vacation is a state of mind and it matters what you experience, not the distance you travel, so you don’t need to fly thousands of miles to have a good time.

• Make your staycation special and memorable, which is more important than how much money you spent.

• Don’t let your staycation occupied by your day-to-day maintenance or work. Try to create a boundary between your work/maintenance and leisure when you are on staycation.

What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?

• Go to museums, theme parks, water parks, state parks, and monuments around home.

• Check local events. Municipal Parks and Recreation Departments and Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) usually list these events on their websites.

What is the best time of year to have a staycation?

• During the off-season when your town/surrounding areas are less crowded. This could be summer months for some places and winter for others.

• When hotels are expensive, the price of gasoline is high, and flights are expensive.

In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

• Cities with a variety of tourist attractions.

• Cities with a lot of tourism amenities, including convenient and free parking for visitors/residents, pedestrian/bike friendly paths, and shopping and dining opportunities, and good public transportation.

• Cities that care about their residents’ well-being and quality of life by providing many recreation opportunities for all ages, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and races.

• Cities that organize many events.

• Cities with strong Parks and Recreation Departments.

Holly J. Bean Doctoral Student of Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Southern Maine What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? As a frequent traveler, staycations are not something that I focus on, however, I take advantage of many of the activities that Maine has to offer while I am here. I welcome guests to stay with us and I am always excited to share Maine's bounty of offerings. A truly relaxing staycation is purely subjective. What I might feel is relaxing (working in the garden) would be drudgery for another. Early morning walks on the beach (we live 10 minutes from the Atlantic) with my dogs starts my day off nicely. Having the time to make a fabulous meal with close friends is another relaxing activity that I enjoy. Portland, Maine has become quite the cultural center of Maine. I've enjoyed music, in the summer there are numerous free concerts throughout the area. Hiking in the area is another free activity that I find relaxing. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Aforementioned activities are some of the free activities, others include: First night freebies. On the first Friday of every month in Portland many places offer free admission and entertainment. Philanthropy is always welcomed and families have a plethora of choices: working as stewards of the environment by volunteering to clear trails, pick up garbage, etc., or volunteering at a soup kitchen, a food bank, etc. Portland hosts a myriad of gatherings in Deering Oaks Park, all culturally diverse. Portland Summer films offers free rooftop summer viewing of movies. Our area boasts numerous lighthouses, all free to view. Portland Lighthouse, which is actually in Cape Elizabeth, is the "most photographed" lighthouse in Maine. It is located in Fort Williams, also free to the public. Fort Williams, once an active military base, offers ruins, trails, ocean swimming, picnic area, and a playground. At Bug Light, a park dedicated to the memory of the Liberty Ships (WWII they were built here) families can enjoy the constellation of kites that fill the sky. The fourth of July fireworks can be viewed either from the water or on an obliging hillside, close to Portland. Walking along Commercial Street in Portland one can find buskers, sumptuous smells, dogs, and plenty of opportunities to people watch. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? For the open minded, staycations can take place at any time of the year. Living in Maine offers four seasons of opportunities to enjoy our great state. Winter offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, and hiking opportunities. Within hours, you can either be at the coast or in the mountains. Rangeley, Maine offers a Snowdeo that brings in many, many people who enjoy snowmobiling and the outdoors. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Indicators for best staycation cities include: accessibility, customer service attitudes, diverse offerings, community openness and willingness to share their knowledge, and the pride that citizens have for their area (this would include environmental pride; cleanliness). Dan Caston Assistant Professor of Recreation Leadership at Ferrum College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Disconnect from digital technology. If you're checking emails from work and constantly checking social media, you're not connected with the people and places with whom you are sharing your experience. Mindfulness research indicates that in order to relax, it is necessary to be fully present. It is simply not possible to relax while dividing your thoughts and energy. Participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, biking, etc. Research shows that spending time in nature is good physiologically as well as psychologically. Many people work in closed indoor environments that prohibit the body and mind from restoring focus and energy, which contributes to feelings of mental and physical fatigue. Spending time outdoors and in nature has been shown to directly reduce blood pressure, increase mental acuity, and calm the body. Keep it simple. The more complex the activity is to plan and implement, the more stress it may cause. By selecting activities that are easy to make happen, the more relaxing they will be. Many people lead very demanding and complicated lives and truly need down time to decompress. Selecting activities that are simple helps to reduce the feeling of living a harrowed life. Take time for yourself. Spend time with family and friends but then seek private time for reading, working on a puzzle, or taking a walk. So much of our lives are dictated by needs of others such as kids, bosses, and family members. You must take care of yourself in order to offer your best to others. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Participate in programs and facilities offered through local Parks and Recreation Departments. Parks and Recreation Departments offer a wide range of individual and family activities that are very affordable, while still providing high quality instruction. Activities range from art programs to canoeing to dancing to stand up paddle boarding to yoga to nature education programs and many more. Parks and Recreation Departments also maintain recreation facilities for public use such as swimming pools, spray grounds, water parks, fitness facilities, greenways, and athletic fields as well as playgrounds. Many of these facilities are free or low cost. Along the same lines, state and federal parks are great for day or weekend visits at minimal costs. They provide both the facility as well as trained staff for activities such as horseback riding, water sports, nature programs, and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. They are a great way of exploring local and regional history as well. Many have campgrounds and cabins for overnight adventures. There is probably a state park within a few hours drive of home and a national park within a one day drive. Attend regional festivals and special events. Many of these are sponsored by local businesses and coordinated through Parks and Recreation Departments and, as a result, are low cost. Events include July 4th fireworks, Festival in the Park, Strawberry Festival, Arts in the Park, Cultural Festivals, and so on. Many cities will have some type of events just about every weekend during the prime season. Tying in with the park system greenways and bluesways are privately owned rental businesses. Greenways are linear parks that provide well groomed or paved pathways that connect different locations within a city or town thus allowing people to walk or bike without having to be on heavily used roads. Blueways serve the same purpose but utilize waterways such as rivers or canals for human powered boat travel. Most have a concessionaire that provides bikes or boats at reasonable costs to help facilitate this use. Additionally, many medium to large cities have adopted bike share programs in which you rent a bike in one location and then return it to a different location when you're done with your ride. This is a great way to explore your home city from a different perspective and find the out of the ordinary shops and scenery. Libraries, arboretums, zoos, and museums are also a great source for fun and educational activities. Most libraries offer a wide range of literary programs and activities that are educational as well as entertaining. Many museums are free for a walk through visit and offer kids programs and guided tours for a nominal fee. Arboretums and zoos typically are reasonably priced. Of course, there are classic activities such as bowling alleys, putt-putt, roller skating rings, and movies. Add to this trampoline parks and other specialty businesses and you have tons of options. Going during the day and in the middle of the week saves money by taking advantage of off-peak hours and matinees. These are great rainy day activities. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? This is a personal preference. It makes sense to take a staycation during your favorite season if possible. Otherwise, take a staycation when it is needed. However, many towns and cities are geared for a primary tourist season that results in lots of diverse offerings. In the off-season, many programs and activities may not be offered. A benefit of taking your staycation during the off-season may be smaller crowds and more one on one instruction for programs that you enroll in. If there are kids involved, it may be necessary to take a staycation when they are out of school such as over the winter holiday season or during spring or summer break. If the need is to take a break from the kids as well as work, why not take your staycation while they are in school and be home for them in the evening? In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators?

• A robust park and recreation system with opportunity for both planned and self-directed activities.

• Museums, arboretums, and zoos within a reasonable drive.

• Public transportation to facilitate ease of movement without a car.

• A greenway system that allows for ease of movement without a car.

• A well-informed tourism council to help connect you with great activities and events.

Methodology

In order to determine the best staycation spots, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across three key dimensions: 1) Recreation, 2) Food & Entertainment and 3) Rest & Relaxation.

We evaluated those dimensions using 36 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for staycationers. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the “Number of Residents” in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

We then calculated the total score for each city based on its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to construct our final ranking.

• Public Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Basketball Hoops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Baseball Diamonds per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Hiking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Running Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Walking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Shopping Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Water Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Miles of Bicycle Lanes, Paths & Routes per Square Mile: Half Weight (~1.33 Points)

• Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Average Price of Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Nightlife Options per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Museums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Zoos & Aquariums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Paintball Fields per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Arcades per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Theaters & Concert Halls per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Beer Gardens per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants with 4.5+ Stars: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)
• Diversity of Restaurants: Full Weight (~1.96 Points)

• Cost of House-Cleaning Service: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Spas & Wellness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Massage Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Public Beaches per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
• Idealness of Summer Weather: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Cities with the Best & Worst Weather ranking.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, Golf.com, Under Armour, Eventbrite, Numbeo.com, Thumbtack, Trust for Public Land, Alliance for Biking & Walking, TripAdvisor, Yelp, ImproveNet and WalletHub research.

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