J. Clarke articles

The age of remote work has done more than cancel morning commutes—it’s completely reshaped where Americans want to live. From cozy Southern cities with sunshine to bustling tech hubs with Wi-Fi on every corner, some destinations are proving they have all the right ingredients for a productive, affordable, and balanced remote life.

America may be a land of endless highways and towering skylines, but for millions of dog lovers, the real measure of a city’s greatness isn’t its skyline—it’s how warmly it welcomes four-legged friends. Based on data about walkability, parks, and pup-approved perks, here are the top 22 cities where dogs rule the streets—from sandy shores to snowy trails.

If you’ve ever stared at a mountain range and thought, I could totally live here, this ranking is for you. Some states practically beg you to grab a kayak or lace up hiking boots, while others seem to think “outdoorsy” just means mowing the lawn. We pulled the top 21 states for getting out into the great outdoors and went deep on what makes each one a paradise for nature lovers.

College isn’t just about textbooks, caffeine, and the occasional existential crisis—it’s about finding your place in a town that feels like home. Some places just get what it means to be a college town: they’ve got the right mix of affordability, community, natural beauty, and enough late-night pizza options to keep you alive through finals week.

Winter is one thing. Surviving it in these cities is another. From frozen lakes to biting winds that could humble an Arctic explorer, these places don’t just get cold—they live cold. Here’s a definitive ranking of the 20 frostiest US cities, starting with the least miserable of the bunch and ending with the absolute Arctic kingpin.

From Texas brisket to Maine lobster rolls, some states simply have culinary swagger baked right into their soil (and deep fryers). Here’s how foodies rank the top 20 states with the best local cuisine—from smoky Midwest barbecue to coastal shellfish dreams.

Some people read to escape reality. Others read to plan their next trip. For those who prefer their travel with a dash of literary magic, the world offers countless destinations that seem plucked straight from the pages of our favorite books. From Agatha Christie’s mysterious landscapes to Hemingway’s tropical haunts, here are 22 must-visit destinations for readers who want to walk where their favorite characters once lived.

There are few things more universal than the shared misery of being stuck behind a never-ending line of taillights. Whether it’s that soul-crushing crawl on the morning commute or the standstill that makes you miss your exit (and your will to live), traffic is the great equalizer. But some cities take gridlock to Olympic levels—where every merge is a gamble, and every honk is a cry for help.

Once upon a time, vegan dining meant settling for a side salad and maybe—if you were lucky—a baked potato. Fast forward to today, and America’s cities are bursting with plant-based innovation, from soul food without the soul (literally) to tacos that could trick even the most carnivorous uncle. Grab your oat milk latte and let’s dig in.