A+

from Niche - A+ for Public Schools, Health & Fitness, Outdoor Activities, and Commute.

#4

Best College Town - "If you’re a culture lover, philosophizer or analyzer, you may find yourself at home in Amherst... You may find even more offerings in town than you do on campus. You’ll find an assortment of lectures, conferences, festivals, and exhibitions of all kinds."

Top 5

Best Places to Raise Outdoor Kids - "[I]t's the natural backdrop beyond the carefully manicured quads that makes Amherst such a perfect place to raise adventurous kids... For hikers and climbers, the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire are just a short drive away, and easy access to a number of lakes and rivers make watersports a breeze."

#6

Best Small Town in America - "[T]he vibe in Amherst Center is vibrant and lively. The community bustles with small businesses, a diverse range of restaurants, bars and brew pubs, museums, art galleries and music venues. But surprisingly, even with all these amenities, the area still manages to be affordable for many families.

#7

Safest College Town - "Amherst is a city of concerned and involved citizens. City-wide initiatives are common, like the Community Shred event, which was co-sponsored by police and SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together). The event focused on protecting vulnerable citizens from fraud and identity theft."

#9

Most Intelligent College Town - "Amherst is among the most intelligent cities in America, with over 40% of the population boasting either a graduate degree or another nationally recognized professional certificate... The town is noted for supporting an intriguing amount of cultural diversity, as it is home to a number of important composers, authors, jazz musicians, and poets..."

#10

Super Cool City - "Indie movie theatres, relaxed cafes, and edgy art galleries are peppered throughout town, where you can mingle with locals (43 percent of whom are ages 20-34) and pick up some tips of the town."