DC Is the Second-Coolest City in America, According to Forbes

Washington, DC, was ranked the second-coolest city in
America by
Forbes.

The District was lauded for its apparently recession-proof
economy, its large array
of cultural and recreational activities available to residents,
and its young, diverse
population.

To compile the top 20 “coolest cities” Forbes ranked the 65 largest metropolitan statistical
areas as defined by the US Office of Management and Budget. It then used research
from Sperling’s Best Places, the 2010 census, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to
calculate each city’s “cool points” based on factors including 2011 migration to the
city, the number of restaurants and entertainment opportunities available, and the
average age of the population.

The list of cities ranked were mostly the expected handful aside from a surprisingly
strong showing of Texas towns including Fort Worth, San Antonio, and the winner, Houston.
The rational behind this division is that these cities either have a strong enough
economy or a low enough cost of living to attract the young artistic types usually
responsible for gentrification and bolstering of all-around coolness.

See the full list here.

Erin Keane Scott