Best known for baseball, beer and the famous Gateway Arch, St. Louis boasts an array of museums, fine dining, music and theater venues. Known as the Gateway to the West, this city emphasized charity, volunteerism, affordability and access for its residents.
"This Top 15 list spans nearly the entire country, from Phoenix, Ariz. in the west to Durham, N.C., in the east. The Sunbelt scores well, but the most surprising strength comes in the Midwest, which claims the nine top spots. St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Indianapolis lead the rankings."