Image Source: Focal Flame Photography
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Jonathan Lambert-Melton, Mayor Pro Tem and at-large city council member for the city of Raleigh, is a textbook example of how North Carolina’s capital has grown in stature. Lambert-Melton moved to Raleigh in 2004 to attend North Carolina State University – and never left.
“Folks will come to this area for higher education,” Lambert-Melton said. “And because of the city’s quality of life, the attractions, and amenities, they just choose to stick around.”
Increasingly, universities are more than educational institutions that draw students to new locations for four years. They are often bedrocks for communities attracting top talent seeking the types of amenities that spur continued growth and develop a true sense of identity. These people establish roots as young adults and see the potential for more.
Think about how Austin has embraced its “weird” culture to become a haven for research, entertainment, and leadership. Not surprisingly, Raleigh – in the heart of North Carolina’s research triangle – draws comparisons to its capital counterpart in Texas when national publications unveil annual “Best Cities to Live” rankings.
Raleigh, at No. 6, is once again in the Top 10 of the heralded US News & World Report list and is particularly cited for its quality of life. A common theme among the report is that university towns, including Boise, ID, and Madison, WI, are known for a high standard of living, stemming from an outdoor lifestyle, smart growth, and dedicated residents pushing for progress.
Here, we study the positive impact universities have on some of the nation’s most innovative and well-regarded communities.
Lauren McLean didn’t know she’d rise to become Boise’s first woman mayor upon completing her Master’s at Boise State University. But she knew she had found her new hometown, where she raised two children with her husband and strives to preserve the city’s culture while promoting economic growth.
A self-described avid trail runner, outdoorswoman, and reader, McLean is building upon Boise’s history.
“Our community has thrived for generations by walking the delicate balance of economy and sustainability, setting a great example for what cities are capable of,” she explained.
Notably, one of her top priorities in office is to ensure residents can walk safely to a park and school from their homes within 10 minutes. The community buy-in is impressive: 73 percent of Boiseans can do just that, and work continues to reach 100 percent.
Image Source: Visit Boise
The emphasis on family is a reflection of how the Mountain West destination has attracted top technological and cultural minds, at least in part due to Boise State.
“When most people think of Idaho they think of potatoes or maybe skiing. But Boise is full of surprises,” McLean said. “Renowned for our river and open spaces, kind people, and vibrant neighborhoods, over the past several years we’ve seen a growth in population that is undeniably changing our city forever.”
High national rankings – Boise is now up to second best city to live, according to US News – are a reflection of priorities on safety and business development strategies that are particularly effective among technical companies, noted the mayor.
The breathtaking scenery makes a great first impression, and the attractions and amenities lead visitors to town for school, festivals, meetings, and events.
“Boise is catching,” the mayor proclaimed.
Matthew Mikolajewski, director of Madison’s economic development division, understandably drove to work when the temperatures recently read 15 degrees Fahrenheit. But, from the warmth of his car, Mikolajewski saw dozens of cyclists braving the temperatures compounded with Lake Mendota’s wind chill.
“We’re a community that really embraces the outdoors throughout the entirety of the year,” he said.
A reflection of Madison’s dedication to physical fitness, it hosted the CrossFit Games for six consecutive years from 2017-2023. It is also one of five cities to hold a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists and is ranked as the second-safest pedestrian city among America’s major metropolitan areas.
“We want people out of their cars and really experiencing what Madison has to offer,” said Destination Madison CEO and President Ellie Westman Chin.
Image Source: Destination Madison
Madison’s fast clip is not limited to fitness. It sports a diverse economy, attracting major companies in life science, financial services, software, and manufacturing, among other industries.
The University of Wisconsin stands front and center for that development. UW and nearby Madison College (a technical institute) not only attract students from across the country but also top-flight faculty who raise families in the city and its suburbs.
The well-educated and diverse workforce has driven demand for a strong culinary community and improved transportation, in the form of a rapid bus system that runs every 10 minutes – more frequently than some other destination’s subways.
Madison’s reputation only continues to grow. Its quality-of-life ranking is 6th in US News and it ranks 14th overall for best cities to live. The CVB maintains a strong relationship with reporters to spread the word.
The university’s large alumni base only adds to the cause. “It’s rare when I am traveling that I don’t meet someone with a UW connection,” Chin said.
Former Mayor Charles Meeker, who served in Raleigh’s top post from 2001-2011, is considered a transformative figure in the city. Among his most significant accomplishments was the completion of The Raleigh Convention Center in 2008
Lambert-Melton admired Meeker’s dedication to civic service and forward thinking from N.C. State. As a young adult, he saw the city council lacking the same vision and took his journey into politics.
An attorney by trade, Lambert-Melton joined the council in 2019, becoming the first open member of the LGBTQ+ community to be elected to citywide office. He serves as chair of the economic development and innovation committee and is vice chair of the transportation and transit committee – making Lambert-Melton an influential leader in Raleigh’s rise to become a destination for college students, leading researchers, and industry leaders to live.
“We’re erupting into a major place to live,” Lambert-Melton proclaims.
Image Source: Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
Three major developments figure to only add to Raleigh’s appeal among the types of young, well-educated citizens who build families:
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The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce actively supports such projects, but lets the work do the talking for them when it comes to national rankings, according to the Chamber’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications Marc Dinitz.
When the rankings are released, the Chamber takes advantage with marketing efforts to keep the momentum forward – a strategy Lambert-Melton advocates for.
“It’s always nice to get recognized, but if you rest too long and try to celebrate too long on being named ‘Best of’ somewhere, you’re probably not making that list the next year or the year after. You have to be striving to do better.”
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