America’s Best Cities for Work-Life Balance
- Susan Ranford
- Aug 15, 2017
- 4 min read
There are many places people choose to live just because the location supports a great work-life balance. A healthy balance is designed to keep the worker healthy and happy both on the clock at work and off the clock at home.
Unfortunately, about 11 percent of workers in America spend more than 50 hours per week at work. This is a minimum of 10 hours of overtime per person regularly. Americans are spending more time at work than our European counterparts. In France, for example, people typically work 300 hours less per year. The French workweek was reduced from 39 hours to 35 hours, yet many Americans still push well past 40 hours per week.
Although American workdays are less lax on shifts, there are some cities that are as supportive of a healthy work-life balance. The U. S. workplace structure is typically set up as if work is your only priority. If you live in cities that ascribe to a more relaxed work culture, demands on your time at work are more relaxed so that you can enjoy a life off the clock, especially when you account for the rise of telecommuting and flex schedules.
The following cities are some of America’s best when it comes to finding a work-life balance. Keep in mind that cities that are home to universities rank high on the list of best cities for work and play because of the more relaxed society.
Bloomington, Indiana
The heartland is a good place to enjoy life outside of work. The commute is usually short, and there is plenty to keep you and your family entertained.
Outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking are pleasurable choices while indoor cultural experiences include museums and theaters. Bloomington is a growing city in Indiana. It is home to Indiana University Bloomington, one of the best employers in the region.
New York City, New York
One of the best cities to shake the overloaded work schedule is New York City.
According to research, New Yorkers take an average of 26.7 vacation days per year, just over 14 percent higher than average. That doesn’t even account for, you know, living in the most vibrant city in the United States.
Taking a walk down any street breathes new life into your creativity and reduces stress. Walking is a form of exercise that helps release endorphins, those feel good happy hormones, and you’ll be doing a lot of that here.
Plus, when it comes to a career, there are a lot of choices. Although the competition will be heavy, there is the opportunity to try your luck in almost any industry. And, unlike a lot of other cities, when you leave work, there’s always things to do and see.
It might be a little overwhelming for some people, but New York City is like no other place. A true melting pot, it’s a hub like you’ll find nowhere else.
Gainesville, Florida
Centered around the University of Florida and the University of Florida Health, which are both prolific employers in the area, Gainesville is known as an incredible place for work-life balance. Employees in Gainesville typically work only 32.5 hours per week, and have a less than 20-minute commute to work on average.
This gives them plenty of time to support the Gator athletic department by attending sporting events. Families gather for the Gators football and basketball games and relax while cheering on the teams.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Home of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is also a regional hub for retail and manufacturing industries. If you have been spending too much time at work, Tuscaloosa is a place where you can slow down and enjoy life by working an average of around 33 hours per week.
There are also plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities and museums available for spending your leisure time. If you are a sports fan, you can’t go wrong with supporting the hometown Crimson Tide.
College Station, Texas
As its name implies, College Station is a college town. It is home of Texas A&M, one of the well-respected universities in Texas and in the nation.
College Station is a unique city. It boasts 52 parks located within the city limits. With this much space for enjoying the outdoors, it is no wonder that the town ranks as one of the best for promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Washington, Oregon, and Michigan are also generally great states for reducing the workload and spending more time outdoors. To that end...
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon is a town that is located perfectly for hiking and enjoying scenery outdoors with the family. The city is home to the University of Oregon and the PeaceHealth Medical Group. Both are significant employers in Eugene and beyond.
Eugene workers average 34-hour work weeks, earn on average $42,288, and have sub-20 minute commutes.
Anywhere, if you play your cards right
Striking the work-life balance can be done in other parts of the country, too, but it is a trend in each of these locales. If you live elsewhere, you could make an effort to strike the work-life balance you want, but in some local cultures it can be difficult.
If you find yourself struggling with depression or exhaustion from working too many hours, you might need to ramp up your job search and relocate to one of these fine US cities.
Susan Ranford is an expert on job market trends, business management, and hiring. She is the Community Outreach Coordinator for New York Jobs. In her writing and blogging, she seeks to shed light on issues related to employment, business, and finance to help others understand different industries and find the right job fit for them. susan.ranford@newyorkjobs.com
