I consider myself very fortunate, having lived and worked in Troy for 25 years. It’s so exciting that finally others in Troy and around the country are now learning what I have always known – that Troy is one of the top 10 cities to live in the nation. Troy has it all: excellent city services, highly rated schools, good quality of life and unlimited indoor and outdoor activities.
How did Troy end up in the Top 100 Best Cities to Live list? At Livability, they love small and mid-sized cities – the crowd-pleasing, best places to live that leave you with money left over after paying your rent or mortgage. For 10 years now, Livability editors have combined their love of places with data to create the annual list of Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Troy’s data was stacked up against all of the other small and mid-sized cities throughout the U.S. They curated the cities based on nearly 100 data points and an algorithm that measured a city’s economy, housing, cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health.
Troy scored 837 out of 1000 (not bad, since number one scored 877).
Troy is about as perfect a city as you can have, all right here within 34 square miles – library; community center with indoor pool, gym, fitness center, senior center and preschool; skate park, outdoor aquatic center, two golf courses, nature center, historic village, dog park, community gardens, farmers market and more than 1,000 acres of parkland with trails, lakes and streams for a variety of active and passive recreational uses.
Troy has one of the lowest tax rates in Oakland County, Troy School District is A+ rated and recognized nationally for excellence in academics and fine arts education, and we are Michigan’s most diverse city.
Troy’s retail and dining options are world-class. The nearly 1.5 million-square-foot Somerset Collection offers a shopping utopia. The City’s spectrum of shops and restaurants is as diverse as the City’s population, with cuisine and goods representing every corner of the globe. We have a plethora of local businesses to fit the needs of every resident, as well as visitors.
I was hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't love living in Troy and I asked Mayor Ethan Baker what he thinks about Troy’s latest recognition.
“What an absolute honor to be the #1 city for livability in the entire state of Michigan and #10 in the whole country! It doesn’t surprise me, however, because no one knows better than I do what an amazing place Troy is to live, work, learn, shop, eat and play,” the mayor said. “Our City continues to thrive, celebrating the traditions of the past and embracing the progress that brings us into the future. I am extremely grateful for the residents and businesses of Troy, who truly make us shine.”
Troy resident Margaret Harris agrees. “I bought my first home in Troy over 20 years ago after searching in several nearby cities. Troy is a bargain compared to other cities in Oakland County and across the nation. Troy has an award-winning school district, well-kept neighborhoods, parks and amenities such as a wonderful library and various recreation programs.
"However, it’s the residents that make Troy the best city to live in. The residents with midwestern values of being friendly and welcoming have enabled Troy to grow into an exceptionally diverse and inclusive community. My family and I have made friends from all over the world without leaving the city.”
Just how awesome is it to live in Troy?
- Second-healthiest city in Michigan (2023)
- #2 best suburb in Michigan and #1 best place to live in the Detroit Area (Niche's list of top 10 Best Suburbs to Live in Michigan, 2021)
- #1 best city to live in Michigan and #6 best city for retirees in the U.S. (ChamberofCommerce.org, 2019)
- Fourth-best place to raise a family in Michigan (WalletHub, 2019)
Cindy Stewart has served as Troy's Community Affairs Director since 1998. She holds a bachelor’s in Journalism/Public Relations from Madonna University and a master’s in Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She gives of her time and expertise to the Intergovernmental Cable Communications Authority, Boys & Girls Club of Troy, Troy Police & Fire Benevolent Association, Troy Youth Assistance, Troy People Concerned and Troy Historical Society.