Providence, Rhode Island

Looking for a city with culture and class? There's no competition for Providence, Rhode Island. It is not only known as America's Most Livable City, but as America's Renaissance City, for its wonderful mix of old and new: Modern malls and convention centers stand side by side with more buildings on the National Historic Register than anywhere else. Providence has been declared "The Best Place to Live in the East" by CNN's Money magazine and was listed in the top 20 Best Places to Live and Work by BestJobsUSA.com. Of course, you can easily discover the allure of Providence for yourself, by taking a leisurely walk along one of the many historic streets or while riding a Venetian-style gondola through one of the city's scenic waterways.

Great to visit, but even better to live in, this picturesque city of 173,618 people has a wonderful community feeling. The town charm is illustrated by events like the December Rhode Island Festival of Trees, which decorates the city with about 100 spectacularly decked trees. As if the decorated trees weren't enough, consider the festival's treats, particularly the elaborate – and edible! – gingerbread houses. In the summer, the city's waterways take on a sublime glow during the WaterFire event. During WaterFire, bonfires flicker throughout the core of the city, engaging and inspiring the thousands of residents and visitors who come to experience it.

Want other ways to have a good time? How about Roger Williams Park Zoo? The zoo, Rhode Island's top tourist attraction, is home to hundreds of species, from the ever-popular giraffes and polar bears to the endangered tree kangaroos of Papa New Guinea and black howler monkeys of Belize.

Of course, if you're looking for a bit of action – and are ready to leave the kids at home – then maybe the Roger Williams Park Casino is right for you. Catch a flick on the big screen at the IMAX theater or laugh the night away at Stitches Comedy Café; whatever your taste, you're sure to find a way to have a great time in Providence.

With a touch of class that you can't deny and plenty of opportunities to have fun, it's no wonder Providence is so highly recommended. Come see for yourself what the capital of Rhode Island can offer you, and you'll soon find yourself on a gondola, wondering why you didn't move here sooner.

See our 27 Jobs in Providence, Rhode Island