At VA, we understand the challenges many Veterans face during their transition back to civilian life. And where they choose to live can significantly affect how well they adjust. Recent studies have compared American cities in categories ranging from economy and employment to health and quality of life, in order to determine the best cities for Veterans to live. Other, Veteran-specific indicators taken into account include housing affordability, Veteran unemployment rate and availability of VA health care facilities. Here are a few cities that top the list:

• Austin, TX ranks as one of the most Veteran-friendly cities, with an incredibly low Veteran unemployment rate and abundant housing.
• Plano, TX has high growth potential for Veteran-owned businesses along with a low crime rate and very low taxes.
• Colorado Springs, CO is named among the best for quality of life; it’s a quiet city with high-quality colleges to attend and lots of outdoor activities to enjoy.
• Jacksonville, FL scores highly for its growing economy and strong connection to the military community.
• San Antonio, TX boasts a high Veteran population with great access to VA benefits, home affordability and a low cost of living.

Many rural areas in which VA operates also earned high ratings across the board, reflecting our ongoing commitment to increasing access to quality care for all Veterans.

With over 1,200 facilities in all 50 states, VA strives to ensure a full range of services are available to support Veterans wherever they live. Are you passionate about giving back to our nation’s heroes? If so, explore our current opportunities and apply today.

Topics in this story

Department of Veterans Affairshealthcare careerstransitionVAVeteran CareVeterans Health AdministrationVHA

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6 Comments

  1. Leeroy Collins February 3, 2018 at 04:00

    As a Vietnam war person it seems to me that our medical staff members at WPBVAMC ADMINISTRATION ALLOWED THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM to violate JACHO POLICY & RULES !! THIS IS A FACT!! WENT TO PT.ADVOCATE TO NO AVAIL FOR OVER A YEAR!! ASKING TO SEE ADMINISTRATOR STILL STONEWALLED!!!!! PLEASE GET IT OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THEIR PROGRAM!! ALONG WITH CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT WHICH VIOLATED THE CODE OF “DO NO HARM” DISSECTION OF R.C.A. LET ME ON GURNEY AT PCAUNIT FOR THREE HOURS HOURS NO CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEON ON STAFF WHY?? STILL NO FULL TIME SURGEON ON STAFF MEMBERS! STILL DOING ANGIOGRAM PUTTING GET LIVES AT RISKS,WHY?

  2. Tony Collado February 2, 2018 at 15:57

    I think Fayetteville, NC should be in the list of best cities for Veterans to live

    • Michael Tubbs February 6, 2018 at 12:48

      I agree Tony.Great opportunity for Veterans, and promotes help for the homeless,as well as mental health facilities for us!!!!

  3. Peedee Wyre February 2, 2018 at 11:00

    Aside from high housing costs (and that’s a big ‘aside’), the NorCal/Bay Area has truly great V.A. facilities and fabulous professional staff at the San Francisco (‘Ft. Miley’), Martinez, Oakland, Mare Island, Rancho Cordoba (Sacramento), Travis AFB and Palo Alto clinics and hospitals where I have received treatments, tests, etc., since ’09. Great weather, diverse/multi-ethnic citizenry, good economy (6th largest in the world)…

  4. ROBERT VOZEY January 30, 2018 at 16:39

    WHAT ARE THE 10 WORST CITIES???

    • Charles C Vaden Jr February 2, 2018 at 13:31

      How about Phoenix, AZ as a good place to live?

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