Community Corner

Best Places To Live, Work, Play In MI: 2025 Recap

Here are all the neighborhoods, restaurants, workplaces and schools that earned top marks for Michigan this year.

Some of the best places to live in the country are towns and cities in Michigan, according to a handful of national rankings released in 2025 that look at quality of life indicators.

There is no single quality that makes a town or city a great place to live. High-quality schools, hospitals and medical facilities, and a robust cultural and dining scene all matter. So do good jobs and places to play and have fun.

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists on the best places to live. Read more about why Michigan’s cities and towns were mentioned.

Find out what's happening in Across Michiganfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Generally speaking, great workplaces are those where employees feel respected and valued, have growth opportunities and competitive salaries, and work–life balance is more than a slogan. Here’s where various Michigan employers rank in issues that matter to their workers:

There are also plenty of places to play and relax in Michigan, according to lists from publications, review sites and other sources.

Find out what's happening in Across Michiganfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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