What Is a Perfect Credit Score & How Do You Get One?

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What Is a Perfect Credit Score & How Do You Get One?

Posted by: John S Kiernan

You don’t need the highest possible credit score (850) to have perfect credit. Rather, a perfect credit score is anything above 799. Some experts even say that perfect credit begins at 751. But our research into credit card approval rates indicates the bar is a bit higher.

Perfect credit is more attainable than you might’ve thought for a simple reason: Higher scores won’t save you more money.

And as a result of this dynamic, nearly 15% of people can rightfully think of themselves as having perfect credit scores, according to WalletHub data. Plus, everyone with excellent credit (750+) is within shouting distance.

Who has a perfect credit score?

You can see if you’re part of the perfect-credit crew by checking your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, the only site with free daily updates. Below, you can learn more about why you don’t need a credit score of 850 to have perfect credit, plus what you can do to build a perfect credit score.

Why Perfect Credit Doesn’t Demand Perfection

Less than 1% of people have a credit score of 850, according to the major credit-scoring companies. And it simply wouldn’t make much business sense for financial institutions to create special products for such a small target market. So they don’t.

After all, when was the last time you saw a credit card “for people with perfect credit”? Never. Instead, you see offers for people with excellent credit.

But if it isn’t 850, and there isn’t one perfect credit score, where do you draw the line? Where does excellent credit end and perfect credit begin? It’s all about risk and reward: how much risk you pose to lenders and when a higher credit score stops rewarding you with additional savings. And that point seems to be anywhere from 751 to 800.

“Many lenders consider anyone with scores above 750 as being almost completely void of credit risk,” said credit expert John Ulzheimer. “There’s little incremental value in having an 850 over having a 750, as you’re likely going to get the best treatment in either scenario.”

In other words, a score above 750 is generally good enough for you to get the best terms on your credit cards, loans and insurance premiums. But you should shoot for 800 just to be safe. And anything beyond that is good for little more than bragging rights.

So as Stacy Smith of Experian recommends, “Instead of chasing the impossible perfect score, strive for a score that is good enough to qualify you for the best rates.”

3 Tips for Building a Perfect Credit Score

The process of perfecting your credit score is very similar to simply building a good credit score from scratch. You need positive information flowing into your credit reports on a monthly basis. And the easiest way to accomplish that is to use a credit card responsibly.

But there are a few things you can do to push your credit score into perfect territory once you’ve reached good or excellent credit.

Pay twice a month – Paying monthly loan and credit card bills on time every month is one of the easiest ways to help your credit score. And failing to do so is one of the easiest ways to hamper credit-improvement efforts. So one on-time payment per month should already be in your plans. But doubling up can pay big dividends by helping to reduce your credit utilization ratio.

Credit utilization is calculated for each of your credit card accounts, based on the spending limit and the balance listed on your monthly statement. Paying your bill early enables you to reduce your statement balance and thus your credit utilization. And paying again ensures you won’t be charged interest for purchases made between your first payment and the end of the billing period.

Maximize your available credit – The more credit you have at your disposal, the better it generally is for your credit score. And there are a few ways to increase the amount of credit you have available. You can reduce the amount you spend, for one thing. And you can become an authorized user on a family member’s credit card account, assuming they have excellent credit.

You also can request a higher credit limit and even apply for a new credit card. Those last two things may lead to a short-term drop in your credit score, given the hard inquiry that results in both situations. But they should lead to long-term gains if used responsibly.

Check your Credit Analysis – The Credit Analysis page of your free WalletHub account provides a letter grade for each component of your credit score as well as personalized credit-improvement advice based on your biggest weaknesses. You’ll also be able to watch your credit score improve over time, as WalletHub is the only site with free credit scores and reports that are updated daily. That means you’ll know as soon as you have a perfect credit score, too.

For more tips and tricks, check out WalletHub’s complete guide on How to Improve Your Credit Score.

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20 Brilliant Drone Solutions Video Marketing Examples

Advids

20 Brilliant Drone Solutions Video Marketing Examples

Drones are great tech toys, it allows you to see the world from a different perspective. Drones are increasingly being used by people all over the world for various purposes. Various manufacturers are coming up with innovative and intuitive drone models to capture the growing market. With increasing competition it is important for companies to introduce and market their product effectively. Video marketing is a great way of attracting and engaging with your customers.

In this article we look at 20 Brilliant Drone Solutions Video Marketing Examples that are on the spot. Watch these videos to get ideas for marketing your Drone. Here we go :

SenseFly Drone Solutions Video

SenseFly offers proven drone solutions to simplify the collection and analysis of geospatial data, allowing professionals in surveying, agriculture, engineering and humanitarian aid to make better decisions, faster. It comes with a large coverage photogrammetric mapping system featuring RTK/PPK upgradeability for survey-grade accuracy on demand. The drone solution video illustrates some of the key processes and functions of the senseFly swinglet CAM for mapping and GIS applications.

DJI Phantom 4 Drone Solution Video

DJI’s Phantom 4 drone allows you to just double tap to go up in air while the new Obstacle Sensing System keeps your Phantom clear of objects in the way. With another tap, Smart Return Home brings it back. An advanced stereo Vision Positioning System (VPS) gives the Phantom 4 precise hovering, even without satellite positioning support, making it easier and safer to fly. The VPS also allows it to brake instantly and hover when joystick controls are released. The drone solution video shows how every advanced component works together to bring you an easy, unparalleled flight experience.

ECA Group Drone Solutions Video

ECA Group widens its magnetic solutions portfolio with an aerial portable magnetic ranging system called Sterna and consisting in a magnetometer and its digitizer embedded in UAV IT180 airborne drone. To perform the mapping in a horizontal plane of the vessel, Sterna overflies the vessel. Data are transmitted onboard, detection risk is automatically estimated and degaussing parameters are computed. The drone solution Video portrays their drone as a great magnetic risk management solution.

PrecisionHawk Lancaster Drone Solution Video

PrecisionHawk’s Lancaster is engineered with strength and reliability, the Lancaster 5 is more robust than its predecessor. Designed to survive hard landings and unfavorable environmental conditions, the Lancaster 5 is perfectly-suited for challenging applications across multiple industries. The drone solution video introduce the Lancaster 5 and how its small UAV platform with highly advanced data collection provides for flight safety capabilities.

Xiaomi Mi Drone Solution Video

Xiaomi offers Mi Drones with simple controls that makes it easy for beginners to pick up in a snap. With just one button on our Mi Drone. remote control or app, send the drone to flight, land, return or even follow a desired route. You can even use the app to set it circling around an object. The drone solution video shows how with Mi Drone, you can take flight and marvel at the wonders of nature from a different perspective.

EHANG Drone Solution Video

EHANG 184 AAV is the safest,Smartest and Eco-Friendly low altitude autonomous aerial vehicle, aiming on providing Medium-Short Distance communication and transportation solution. The 184 AAV is designed with full redundancy – If one set of the power system are operating abnormal, the vehicle can still operate a normal flight plan and ensure the safety of the passenger together with the vehicle. The drone solution video shows EHANG 184’s Completely electric mechanism and is designed for low altitude short range flying.

Yuneec Drone Solution Video

Yuneec offers drones with professional-grade H520, a six-rotor drone with three different camera options and two industry-first bragging rights. The H520 is designed for commercial use, but with three different camera options, commercial use could mean anything from search and rescue to cinema quality video. Paired with the CGO-ET camera option, the drone can capture both thermal and residual light (or night vision) in a single camera. The drone solution Video gives a gist of the design and quality of the product.

Draganflyer X8 Drone Solution Video

Draganflyer X8 is a powerful drone that provides a robust heavy-lift solution to their product line-up. The Draganflyer X8 leveraged the simplicity in design from the Draganflyer X6. With the patented folding airframe, sophisticated autopilot and single piece molded carbon fiber flared booms all packed down into a small transport case. The drone solution Video demonstrates how the Draganflyer X8 can fold up to be compact for easy transport.

SYMA X5C Drone Solution Video

SYMA X5C has a high degree camera and a unique look, easy to use, so you and your hands X5C in the crowd inadvertently become the focus. X5C equipped with HD cameras, lets you control the aircraft Enjoy taking pictures/video of the pleasure flights. The drone solution Video shows how X5C’s colorful flashing light can let you enjoy fly time even at night.

Ehang Ghost Drone Solution Video

Ehang Ghostdrone 2.0 VR is a cost effective drone that bundles in some very cool features. Its automated safety features and phone controls make it very easy to fly. Ehang Ghostdrone 2.0 VR is very easy to get in the sky. It’s very easy to get out of the sky (safely, I mean). You can fly it with your phone. You can check things out in first-person view with the companion VR goggles. The drone solution Video acts as an overview of features offered by Ehang Ghostdrone.

Freefly ALTA Drone Solution Video

ALTA transforms from the world’s most capable drone, to the most portable, in minutes thanks to its folding props, folding swan neck booms and Toad in the Hole quick release system. Each and every ALTA endures a barrage of component and system level tests designed to weed out items that do not meet our strict quality control levels. The drone solution Video gives a gist of the new specifications added to Freefly.

Dromida XL FPV Drone Solution Video

Dromida XL FPV drones allows you to shoot exciting, full high-definition video or take stunning still photos with the included DroneView 1080p Wi-Fi Camera. You can store your stuff on the included micro memory card, or share it with your friends on social media the choice is yours. And this is in addition to everything else the XL FPV offer an Auto Takeoff/Landing button that takes it up to 2 meters in the air and then brings it safely back to Earth; an Altitude Hold button for easy, hassle-free hovering; you can even execute flawless flips instantly with the built-in Auto-Flip feature. The drone solution video details the various range of products and its features offered by Dromida.

VTOL UAV Drone Solutions Video

Eigen Aerospace is committed to bringing the next generation of advanced aerospace technologies to various non commercialized markets, in particular the UAV drone market. They offer VOTL UAV drone built by envision the areas of tactical surveillance being the primary influences on its avenue of development. The drone solutions video shows how drone technology plays an important role in our future.

Embention Drone Solutions Video

Embention develops high reliability equipment and complete systems for drones and unmanned vehicles. It offers leading edge technology manufacturing for professional performance and safe operation, including flight controllers, gimbals, tracking antennas, ground stations. Their solutions are compatible with most platforms: fixed wing aircrafts, multicopters, helicopters, surface vehicles, blimps and any custom device. The drone solutions video highlights how Embention offers reliable solutions for unmanned drone systems, Autopilots & Components for UAV.

Parrot JUMPING RACE Drone Solution Video

The Parrot JUMPING RACE is a new generation minidrone. It is fast, energetic and ultra-stable thanks to wide tires and is designed to race. With the Max version, you face the most dangerous courses. Featuring powerful motors and large retractable wheels for perfect handling, it is a small car that can sneak everywhere. The drone solution video highlights how their miniaturized robots can be piloted with a smartphone or a tablet via the free piloting app, FreeFlight 3.

3DR Site Scan Drone Solution Video

Site Scan includes a fully-autonomous drone, a best-in-class camera and automatic cloud processing to easily deliver the data needed to make decisions on the construction site. It lets you collect high-quality data with the first drone to carry the industry-leading Sony UMC-R10C camera. You can use the Site Scan iOS app to survey your site with one tap. The drone solution video acts as a rulebook that can help you fly responsibly.

Bionic Bird Drone Solution Video

Bionic Bird is a biomimetic drone packed with micro-technologies weighing less than 10 grams. Designed in France, Bionic Bird benefits from strict quality controls that are so rigorous that each bird is built like a prototype. You can pilot Bionic Bird with the intuitive and ultra-sensitive Flying App using your smartphone or tablet and fly with a range of more than 100 metres. The drone solution Video highlights how Bionic Bird can provide you an experience that’s as close to nature as possible.

Parrot Airborne Cargo Drone Solution Video

Parrot Airborne Cargo Mars is a robust, impact-resistant minidrone that can be customised in an instant. The Parrot Airborne Cargo also has a base for figurines, as well as places for attaching small objects or construction blocks too. The drone solution Video details how their Airborne Cargo are packed with all the fun in the world and additional interactive opportunities.

A Drone provider can create the following videos : Drone Overview Video Drone Brand Video Drone Explainer Video Drone Marketing Video Drone Promotional Video Youtube Teaser Videos Business Use Case Study Videos Drone How To Videos

With the above smart drone solution Videos it’s evident that companies are fast integrating videos in their marketing campaigns and various other touchpoints. If you are in the similar domain these videos are good start to build a brief of what can be the tone and style for your videos. We advise you to be different and unique while you create your messaging through the videos.

We at Advids understand Drones are continuously evolving and is an emerging segment, with a lot of transformations happening now and many more to follow in future. Lets use the power of videos to get your word out. We will be scanning the web to find more new and interesting in smart equipment videos , if you have something to share do reach out to us.

The post 20 Brilliant Drone Solutions Video Marketing Examples appeared first on Advids.

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London Bridge attack: Terror incident leaves up to seven feared dead after van ploughs into pedestrians ‘before five men jump out and start stabbing people’

BlackListed News

London Bridge attack: Terror incident leaves up to seven feared dead after van ploughs into pedestrians ‘before five men jump out and start stabbing people’

A GANG of five terrorists wearing stab-proof vests drove a van into pedestrians at 50mph on London Bridge before attacking revellers with hunting knives. Up to seven people were feared dead and 20 hurt in the 10pm attack. Staff at a packed pub locked the doors as the gang tried to smash their way in. One man was stabbed five times.

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Hacked Emails Show Top UAE Diplomat Coordinating With Pro-Israel Think Tank Against Iran

BlackListed News

Hacked Emails Show Top UAE Diplomat Coordinating With Pro-Israel Think Tank Against Iran

The email account of one of Washington’s most connected and influential foreign operatives has been hacked. A small tranche of those emails was sent this week to media outlets, including The Intercept, HuffPost and The Daily Beast, with the hacker promising to release a trove publicly. The hotmail account belongs to the UAE’s Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al-Otaiba, and The Intercept can confirm it is the one he used for most Washington business. HuffPost confirmed at least one of the emails as authentic and the UAE has confirmed that Otaiba’s account was indeed hacked.

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More UK Police Put Cash Down for IMSI Catchers

BlackListed News

More UK Police Put Cash Down for IMSI Catchers

While the US has seen a vibrant and relatively transparent debate around so-called IMSI catchers—devices that can indiscriminately sweep up texts, calls and other mobile phone data in a given area—the UK government has remained consistently tight-lipped about its use of the tools. But, slowly, more information is trickling out. According to financial documents uncovered by Motherboard, another UK police force has allocated funds for buying IMSI catchers. One of the documents also implies that the force shares this type of surveillance technology, meaning that the total number of agencies across the country that can use IMSI catchers may be greater than currently understood.

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Staggering Number Of Homeless In LA Shows How Tough It Is To Get By

BlackListed News

Staggering Number Of Homeless In LA Shows How Tough It Is To Get By

The number of homeless people in Los Angeles is skyrocketing. In just one year, the figures revealed that the homeless population in the city grew 20% while the numbers for the wider Los Angeles County were even higher at 23%.

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2017’s Best & Worst States for Jobs

Wallet HubWallet Hub

2017’s Best & Worst States for Jobs

Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Job hunting is never easy. Between scanning employment ads, updating résumés, contacting references and preparing for interviews, there’s no step that isn’t somewhat tedious or downright painful.

But the process can be even harder when you don’t know where to begin looking for work, which is why narrowing your search to a particular location can be crucial. And because that part itself requires a bit of research, WalletHub’s data analysts did the homework to help you focus on the most important task: finding your dream position in a place you’ll love.

In order therefore to determine the most attractive states for employment, we compared the 50 states across 24 key indicators of job-market strength, opportunity and economic vitality. Our data set ranges from employment growth to median annual income to average commute time. Read on for our findings, methodology and useful insight from a panel of researchers.

For a more local breakdown of the job market, check out WalletHub’s ranking of the Best & Worst Cities for Jobs.

Main Findings Ask the Experts Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/35641/geochart-statejobs.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-jobs/35641/">WalletHub</a></div>  

Best States for Jobs

Overall Rank (1 = Best)

State

Total Score

‘Job Market’ Rank

‘Economic Environment’ Rank

1	Washington	70.24	11	1
2	Colorado	65.67	1	19
3	New Hampshire	65.37	6	8
4	South Dakota	63.81	10	7
5	New Jersey	62.88	19	5
6	Minnesota	62.00	4	21
7	Massachusetts	61.51	2	29
8	California	61.19	12	15
9	Tennessee	61.01	23	6
10	Florida	60.79	29	4
11	Texas	59.84	35	3
12	Vermont	59.49	25	13
13	Utah	58.97	9	25
14	Connecticut	58.66	32	12
15	Kansas	58.64	33	9
16	Nebraska	58.26	21	18
17	Wisconsin	58.18	8	33
18	Nevada	57.91	37	10
19	Arizona	56.90	20	24
20	Maine	56.85	14	31
21	Rhode Island	56.82	34	16
22	Iowa	56.80	16	30
23	Michigan	56.69	13	32
24	North Dakota	55.99	41	14
25	Oregon	55.61	3	45
26	Virginia	55.57	18	35
27	Delaware	55.53	27	22
28	Maryland	55.26	5	42
29	Indiana	54.25	15	38
30	Illinois	53.36	39	20
31	Idaho	53.02	28	36
32	New York	52.94	31	34
33	South Carolina	52.70	38	27
34	Ohio	52.65	30	37
35	Montana	52.43	42	23
36	Missouri	51.75	22	39
37	Georgia	51.34	17	44
38	Hawaii	50.36	7	49
39	Arkansas	49.56	24	43
40	Pennsylvania	47.78	26	47
41	Wyoming	47.34	49	2
42	North Carolina	46.15	36	46
43	New Mexico	45.89	45	17
44	Alaska	45.36	48	11
45	Oklahoma	43.72	46	26
46	Mississippi	42.71	43	40
47	Alabama	41.52	44	41
48	Kentucky	40.12	40	50
49	Louisiana	37.04	50	28
50	West Virginia	35.23	47	48

 

Ask the Experts

The future of U.S. jobs relies on many factors, including policy and innovation. To gauge the possible effects of each and find ways to strengthen the economy, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on its promise to increase jobs in coal and manufacturing? What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? Are there any models that have proven successful for retraining displaced workers? < > Toni A. Higgs Director of the Career Resource Center at Jacksonville University Steven Glazer Professor of Economics at Norwalk Community College Sarah H. Bana Ph.D. Candidate in Economics at University of California, Santa Barbara Stan Gully Professor of HRM in the School of Labor and Employment Relations at Pennsylvania State University Sara Haviland Senior Researcher in the Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Russ Coughenour Assistant Vice President of Career Services at The University of South Florida Rick Roberts Director of the Career Services at University of North Florida Neil Meredith Dana Professor of Business and Assistant Professor of Economics at West Texas A&M University Gordon Walter Adjunct Instructor in the School of Business at Washburn University Dianna Cundiff Associate Director of the Center for Career Development at University of Evansville Dave Ulrich Rensis Likert Professor of Business in the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan and Partner at the RBL Group Craig Kerr Professor at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona Toni A. Higgs Director of the Career Resource Center at Jacksonville University What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? I recently reviewed the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to identify jobs which will be the “Hot jobs” in Florida over the next 10 to 15 years. The criteria according to the FDEO for this designation is “job growing faster than the average for all occupations and have at least 50 annual openings… .” We utilize this information to help our students identify areas of opportunities when considering the all-important decision on what field of study to choose. There was no surprise that 11 of the top 20 are in the Health care field with Nurse Practitioners capturing the top spot. The Health Care Industry is currently and will continue to be in demand. I recently spoke to a group of second degree seeking students who are beginning their second careers in the Nursing profession. I asked why nursing? The answer was always, “Because I know I will be able to get a job and the pay is good.” Other areas in high demand and will continue to grow are in the field of computer science, specifically in fields such as cybersecurity and web development. In the Career Resource Center we track the Employers requests as they seek students to fill internships and current job openings. As we sift through the numerous requests, the top spot goes to Marketing/Social Media positions followed closely by Analyst, Engineers, Web design/management, and Sales positions. Analyzing big data whether it be in the health field or in business is currently in demand and will continue to grow over the next 10 years. I was speaking with a high-level executive in the Finance industry a week ago and he mentioned they cannot find enough applicants to fill open positions in entry level management. I expect this industry to continue to grow to a “hot job” over the next 10 years. Steven Glazer Professor of Economics at Norwalk Community College What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? It is very difficult to predict which specific jobs are threatened due to automation, since technology is advancing by leaps and bounds and causing the displacement of workers in numerous industries. Recent reports have shown that millions of retail jobs may be lost along with baggage handlers due to automation. However, as some of these jobs are lost, as we have evidenced in the past, new jobs will come into existence. What needs to occur is ensuring that the number of new jobs created will outweigh the numbers of positions lost. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? To help increase jobs in any industry, whether it be coal and manufacturing, or any industry for that matter, the key is providing incentives to the companies to want to encourage them to keep their production in the nation and then expand their production domestically. One of the tried and true methods to accomplish this is through financial incentives, whether it be tax cuts, as the administration has discussed, or some other form of financial benefit provided to these companies. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? This is never easy to predict, but one of the areas that has been cited often over the past several years and continues to be cited by agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been healthcare-related jobs, reflecting the longer life expectancy of the population and the increased needs people have for this as they age. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? This depends upon the community. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? A number of articles have come out indicating that job re-training programs are not successful. Many of these programs have been geared to individuals who have lost jobs in manufacturing and other industries where the jobs have been relocated into burgeoning fields, like health care. The country has a great resource in institutions like community colleges which have such programs available to these displaced individuals at a reduced cost. As technological advancements occur, and workers’ skills may no longer be needed, this is a viable option that should be relied upon to help individuals secure employment and maintain their standard of living. Sarah H. Bana Ph.D. Candidate in Economics at University of California, Santa Barbara What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? Occupations that comprise of mostly routine tasks are at greatest risk. Put differently, the more your occupation can be codified, the easier it is to build those rules into a machine that can do your job for you. Occupations that require the most creativity, occupations in which success is more difficult to measure, and occupations that take advantage of the massive influx of data now collected are less threatened. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? In general, policy prescriptions to increase low-skilled jobs in coal and manufacturing will be short-term fixes, bandages for a greater problem. The manufacturing sector in the United States is becoming leaner, using industrial robots and high skilled workers to produce more with fewer workers. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? Fields that take advantage of the aging population in our country, such as healthcare, are likely to experience job growth. Fields that take advantage of new data to improve processes and make better decisions will experience rapid growth. Some examples of these fields include data science, genomics, precision agriculture, cybersecurity, and urban planning and development. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? There is evidence that training in more technically oriented fields, such as math or science, or training in healthcare fields have had greater success, and have been able to better offset earnings losses. Retraining is costly, and currently, government programs do not adequately support long-term, high-return training. If displaced workers are liquidity constrained, this is a problem that limits our understanding of the potential benefits of retraining. Stan Gully Professor of HRM in the School of Labor and Employment Relations at Pennsylvania State University What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? The forces at play that are reducing jobs in these sectors cannot be stopped by policy decisions. You couldn’t have used policy to stop the loss of jobs in horse carriage manufacturing once automobiles hit the scene. Likewise, you couldn’t have saved typewriter manufacturing jobs with policy once computers arrived. It is true that some manufacturing jobs are being outsourced but the greater threat for the future is automation. Even overseas, where the jobs are outsourced, automation is replacing workers in manufacturing jobs of all types. Renegotiating trade agreements will not replace jobs lost to technology and automation. In a similar sense, some coal jobs will never return because of cheaper alternative sources of energy and these alternative sources are generating new jobs. Coal is dropping in demand because there are increasing sources of cheap, clean energy that don’t require combustion of coal. Removing environmental protections for streams and rivers to jump start the coal industry won’t bring back the jobs because their loss is due to cheap and clean energy alternatives. The best that can be done to save jobs in the coal industry is to invest in science and research on clean coal technologies to keep demand higher for coal as a source of clean energy. Another alternative is to recognize that these forces are not going to subside. Policymakers could invest in reskilling people who formerly worked in the coal and manufacturing industries to enable them to do new and different types of work. For example, this is an interesting story about Appalachian miners learning to code. What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? In the near future we will see automation continue to replace jobs involving warehouse work, basic manufacturing (e.g., welding, drilling, etc.), packaging, and food preparation. However, autonomous vehicles will begin to replace taxi drivers as well as drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other such occupations. It’s a short step from that to trucking and delivery services. Very soon, transportation will become highly automated. All jobs are facing the potential for automation. Machines and algorithms do most of the trading on Wall Street. Air Force Top Gun pilots were beaten by AI running on a $35 Raspberry Pi computer. Most recently, Google’s AlphaGo beat a top ranked Go player. This is an impressive feat because you can’t simply program all the moves into a computer due to the nearly infinite combination of possible moves. We can see machine learning is taking over tasks that require deep levels of human expertise. However, many jobs requiring human expertise and creativity are relatively safe because they are the least threatened in the near future. Jobs that involve creation and implementation of technology at a deep level will remain robust in demand for the foreseeable future. Interestingly, I think certain jobs such as masonry, plumbing, electrical work, etc. will be safe until we can create robots capable enough to replace us. But that won’t be for a while. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many health oriented service jobs (e.g., medical assistants, personal care aides, registered nurses, home health aides) are expected to show robust growth between now and 2024. As an aside, many of these jobs will not easily be automated until robots have reached a higher level of flexible implementation. Robots are currently effective for clear, programmable, routine tasks but these other types of jobs will require robots that have increased artificial intelligence and more humanlike dexterity. Robots are building such capabilities at an exponential rate but we are not there yet. My understanding, however, is that increasing numbers of people are entering some of these fields, potentially creating an excess of labor supply for such workers in the future (e.g., physician assistants, physical therapy, etc.). Also, scientific and technology based jobs are expected to grow and remain in demand with a shortage in the supply of talent for these fields. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? Policymakers frequently seem to hesitate to genuinely support education and reskilling of the workforce. However, the world is evolving at an exponential rate. To stay relevant, all workers need to evolve their skill sets and competencies. We also need to be prepared for the idea that our occupations may become less relevant or automated as technology changes the way work gets accomplished. I think about that issue in higher education all the time. If we want economies to stay strong, we need people to have spending power. This comes from healthy occupational employment for members of that community. This does not mean that people have to work two or three part time jobs at minimum wage to make ends meet. We have to think carefully about where opportunities for job growth exist and support learning, education, and reskilling of the workforce to meet the demands and opportunities of this growth. People who are working 50 hours in multiple jobs to pay the bills don’t have time to get reskilled for the future. Policymakers can help by providing support and opportunity for such reskilling. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? I like the story of reskilling miners for technology jobs. I am uncertain about how successful it has been but press is generally positive. Note that the 22-week training took place with a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This is precisely what I mean when I say policymakers can provide support and opportunity for reskilling. Pittsburgh is an example of a place that was built around steel and manufacturing but after these industries faded in the 1980s, Pittsburgh went through a kind of revitalization. Some people have argued that Pittsburgh’s revitalization is because of investments in the medical schools and technology research programs in the Pittsburgh areas in the 1960s and 1970s. Also, philanthropic investments by the wealthy have helped. Ultimately, however, Pittsburgh had to reinvent itself along with the jobs it could offer people in the community. Sara Haviland Senior Researcher in the Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? Automation has been occurring for centuries, and our world is constantly being shaped and reshaped by technological advancement that seemed previously unimaginable. It is therefore difficult to predict with much certainty which jobs are future-proof and which are at great risk; plenty of jobs that once seemed irreplaceable have gone on to history’s graveyard. When we discuss automation, we can only address current and near-future technology with any level of confidence. It is important to note that we do not automate jobs per se, but rather tasks. A job that is comprised of many tasks may see part of its work go to machines, but that may increase other tasks or add new tasks to facilitate these machines. In short, the job may change rather than go away. That said, automation is currently best at addressing tasks that require strength, or are routine or repetitive, and are easily addressed with computer codes. Tasks that are physically unpleasant or dangerous attract a lot of attention from automation innovators. This is why we see the automation of tasks in many factories. We see less automation in tasks that require tacit knowledge, or high interpersonal skills. A medication dispensing machine may give a nurse the proper dose of medications to dispense to a patient, automating one task of the job, but that nurse is the one that notices that Mr. Jones in Bed 3 is acting a little off today and may need further medical attention. The safest jobs today are likely in care work, be it through health care, child care, or elder care; though tasks within those jobs will likely continue to be automated (e.g., the medication dispensing machine), there are fewer tasks in those jobs that we have the capacity to replace with technology right now. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? One major strategy that the administration can deploy is to expand support for training and education. Today’s manufacturing shops are evolving toward higher skilled tasks for workers, a process that will continue as automation removes the more repetitive or physically demanding processes from human hands. The machinery involved can be costly, and employers want to see workers who have the skills to operate their equipment effectively and without making costly mistakes. In short, employers want more skilled operators. In our research with manufacturing, we often hear employers say that there are not enough skilled workers to meet their demand. This has implications for their abilities to expand operations, and may ultimately hinder growth or make the operations vulnerable to relocation. The specialized training for these jobs often takes 1-2 years, and the positions that they prepare for often translate to solidly middle class incomes. Better still, training programs with an eye to the future can create stackable credentials so that individuals who complete that 1-2 year training can return in the future well on their way to college degrees. In this ideal model, workers have more options, should the needs of the industry change, or should they decide to move toward the business and management side of the operations. Providing support for this model has great potential to not only place workers in the near term, but to help them in the long term as well. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? The safe bet is on healthcare occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this data and regularly publishes employment projections on their website; 4 out of 5 of their projected fastest growth jobs are in direct care work (occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants, physical therapist aides, and home health aides). It is important here to remember that high growth rates do not necessarily translate to large fields of open jobs, as a tiny field such as wind turbine service technicians will likely more than double in the next decade (high growth rate), but for every one new job in that field, home health aides will see 72 new jobs. Considering the sheer volume of jobs projected to enter the economy, health care has the potential to be massive. There are several factors at play here, but largely we can attribute this increase to our rapidly aging population and our rapidly improving medical advances. As a society, we live longer but with more long-term conditions that require ongoing management and support. One important caveat: as the future of the Affordable Care Act and its possible replacements remain unclear at this moment, there are great implications for how care will be delivered. Just as an example, we may see decreased supports for in-home managed care, which would change the projections for home health aides. The ACA also changed some elements of how the health profession is paid, emphasizing health outcomes as opposed to health procedures. This increased opportunities for new classes of public health work such as community health workers, who serve as intermediaries between the health care system and the community; further changes could remove this fledgling field, or create new fields entirely. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? K-12, higher education, the workforce development system, and employers often operate in silos. Finding meaningful ways to bridge these institutions can strengthen the local workforce, improving the area’s capacity to attract growth industries with good jobs. Sector strategies are one way that state and local areas are doing this. Sector strategies are industry focused partnerships that bring employers, government, education, training, economic development, labor, and community organizations together to focus on the workforce, education, and training needs in a particular industry in a regional labor market. This strategy can be used at both the state and local level. Sector strategies can address current and future skill needs. They provide a means to engage with industry across traditionally defined town, county or state boundaries. They can also be a mechanism to better align and use programs and resources, reducing inefficiencies. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? The Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program (TAACCCT), which is drawing to a close, seeks to create programs that can place displaced workers into growth jobs with stable pay through training programs that could be completed in 2 years or less. In its four year run it touched 60% of U.S. community colleges, offering an opportunity to assess what works (and what doesn’t). Though programs are still in the process of implementation and therefore any findings are preliminary, some factors that have great promise include: A high-touch model of advising. Career navigators, job developers, and career coaches are part of an arsenal of college professionals offering intensive advising services to help students from recruitment up to job placement. Modularized curricula, stackable credentials. Breaking programs down into elements that nest into further certificates and degrees creates on and off ramps that can make schooling more manageable for adult learners. Employer engagement. Partnering with local industry groups and employers helps schools to create curriculum that meets employers’ needs, and creates opportunities for employers to meet and recruit students. Sector Strategies as discussed above. Russ Coughenour Assistant Vice President of Career Services at The University of South Florida What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? I would have to say Accounting is somewhat threatened by advancements in technology and software. Of course, jobs in manufacturing are being replaced by advances in robotics, but that has been happening for years now. I also think retail is in serious trouble. We’ve seen recent news reports of declines in employment in retail and that is due to the growth in online (technology) retailing. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? I would say to incentivize the oil companies to start promoting coal as a viable source of energy again. Problem is coal is viewed as dirty and an environmental hazard and it is hard to get. Environmentalists don’t like certain types of mining processes, so coal is complicated. Taxing imports into the U.S. would likely keep manufacturing jobs here in the States. If there was an equal playing field in terms of prices for manufactured goods in the U.S., I think we could successfully compete. But allowing companies to send manufacturing jobs to Mexico (and elsewhere) where labor is a lot less expensive and then not taxing those goods/services coming back into the U.S. seems a real issue and really just not fair. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? Anything to do with data analysis. Companies have more data than they can sift through, so business analysts, data analysts, healthcare informatics and any job that uses data driven decision making will grow. Cybersecurity is exploding and will continue to explode, as companies today cannot find enough talent to fill their needs for securing the data being gathered. Supply chain, nursing and engineering related disciplines all have excellent supply and demand numbers working in their favor. In other words, demand is high for these types of skills while supply is moderate to low. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? Encouraging or incentivizing a broad range of employment options in the community and not just one industry. Communities have to hedge their bets against recessions so that a downturn in say “manufacturing” doesn’t impact the local community disproportionality. I think of some of the rust belt cities like Lansing or Flint, Michigan that were so heavily invested in the automobile manufacturing industry that when times got bad, they couldn’t recover. I think smart cities of the future leverage against that by incentivizing a variety of workplace options and industries. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? There are two answers here, one for degreed people and one for non-degreed people. We are seeing a lot of action in the “coding” industry for recent graduates from all majors. Companies are providing “boot camps” for critical skills training and then offering job opportunities for the boot camp graduates. Large, fortune 500 types are using these companies to source candidates with specifically designed coding skill sets for their company and industry. For the non-degreed, each community has various types of retraining incentives through local technical schools and trade schools and others that can be very effective. Many times employers are incentivized by sourcing candidates through these retraining programs which helps put marginally skilled workers back on the job. Rick Roberts Director of the Career Services at University of North Florida What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? Most of the manufacturing jobs (assembly lines, auto, etc.) have been taken over by automation and robots. The Service Industry (health care, counseling, social services, physical therapy, etc.) are lease threatened since it is difficult for a robot to provide this type of personal care. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? Doing what he is doing -- taking away all of the environmental regulations and policies so that industries can burn coal and other cheaper forms of energy. Manufacturing is much more difficult. In the U.S., a company would pay its manufacturing workers $30 per hour and in Mexico they can pay them $3 per hour -- a huge difference. I don’t think any policy can change that fact. He can give lots of tax breaks and incentives to the companies to encourage them to stay or come back to the U.S., and maybe those incentives could make up the difference in salaries/wages. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? Health care for sure. With 76 million baby boomers hitting retirement age, there will be increased need for health care. As health care costs rise, work will increasingly be delegated to lower paid workers. Tasks previously performed by doctors, nurses, dentists, or other health care professionals will be performed by physician assistants, medical assistants, physical therapist aides, etc. Home health care workers will also see an increase as an alternative to hospitals and residential facilities. Other occupations to grow: Interpreters and translators; trades people: electricians, brickmasons, stonemasons, etc., information security analysts and experts; occupational therapists, semiconductor and computer manufacturing, computer engineering. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? I guess this would be the same as on the Federal Level -- tax breaks and incentives for companies coming into the local area. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? I work mostly with college students who are heading into first careers -- so I don’t work with displaced workers at all. Our Community College is more likely to help these people. Also, WorkSource is another resource for workers seeking to rejoin the workforce. Neil Meredith Dana Professor of Business and Assistant Professor of Economics at West Texas A&M University What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? In my opinion, jobs that are most threatened by automation and robots are those that consist either exclusively or primarily of routine tasks that are repetitive and do not vary. For example, covering a candy bar with a wrapper is repetitive and does not vary. A worker on a candy assembly line who only wraps the candy bars is likely to be replaced by automation or robots. Jobs that are least threatened by automation and robots are those that significantly consist of tasks that require human intuition, creativity, and/or critical thinking. For example, a marketing manager for a company may have to critically evaluate several aspects of a marketing strategy before deciding how to best develop and market a particular product to appeal to consumers and raise sales. A robot or even artificial intelligence may have exceptional difficulty evaluating all of the specific critical thinking and analysis aspects, including insights into human behavior, required for such a nuanced task. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? One field that is expected to have a high rate of growth in the next 10 years is health care. Baby Boomers are increasingly aging, increasingly becoming eligible for Medicare, and increasingly requiring more care, which should boost demand for health care services. Also, Baby Boomers working in health care are retiring, which could significantly reduce the supply of care. The combination of increased demand and decreased supply should put pressure on wages in health care to rise significantly and make working in health care more attractive. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? Local policymakers can help create conditions where business can thrive by making it relatively easy to start businesses and grow. As a specific example, local policymakers could evaluate the process for getting a business license and simplify it. To encourage growth, local policymakers could create a favorable investment environment by eliminating unnecessary regulations. Policymakers could also make it abundantly known that they are business friendly. Gordon Walter Adjunct Instructor in the School of Business at Washburn University What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? Most threatened: Lower-level, non-technical sales professionals. It used to be that automobile buyers had to go through an automotive dealership to purchase a new car. But now, in this new millennium, with organizations like CarMax, AutoTrader, TrueCar, etc., auto buyers can find out at least as much about cars available for sale online as they could from a dealer. Just as the role of a dealer’s sales representative is shrinking, many other inside sales positions are also becoming automated. Positions, where people were employed to contact clients and take orders by telephone, are being supplanted by robots. These machines, with the help of artificial intelligence, can respond to answers of basic yes/no questions and inquiries seeking more information. Paralegal and Administrative Assistant Positions. Work that used to be done by paralegals and some administrative assistants can now be done much faster by data-mining algorithms. Again, Artificial Intelligence and robotics has come to the front office. Even smaller law firms and support functions can now afford to utilize systems and software to do high-volume process work. Least Threatened: Teacher/Trainers. At its core, teaching requires significant expertise and complex interactions with other people, and make subjective decisions regarding performance, which is difficult to automate. This is not to say that technology will not have an impact on the teaching profession. Technology has already greatly increased the reach and scope that an individual teacher has, which permits him/her to handle more students across ever-greater geographies (e.g., online learning). What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? Simplify taxes and protect fair trade laws and policy along with stronger energy and infrastructure policies and more focused training/education. In addition, I believe employers also want science, technology, and innovation policies that promote the use of technology and a level playing field. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? Those fields that serve the rapidly aging Baby Boomer population, including health care (especially technician and physical therapy positions). Other positions include those that help people with home-related assistance, including technology/software installation/maintenance and routine home repair/maintenance. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? I believe that the more autonomy and freedoms to chart the destiny of the local economy, the better-off most entities will be. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? I favor locally managed/operated programs that have significant online components, allow participants to work at their own pace, but also build incentives for successful completion into the system. When participants are rewarded for successful completion of each module; the skills have direct application to specific positions or fields, and successful completion has a direct link to employment, the program is most successful. Dianna Cundiff Associate Director of the Center for Career Development at University of Evansville What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? In the past, the largest area in which employees tended to be displaced was within the manufacturing setting. However, we are beginning to see the use of robots in many other fields, such as food service (think automated order kiosks in restaurants rather than friendly wait staff), retail, healthcare, and even military and other protective services. In some ways, the use of robots makes processes more efficient, and in some cases, much safer. At UE, a team of engineering students have developed a fire fighting robot. The robot is programed to locate and extinguish fires in a given space. The idea is that in the future, the robots could be utilized to put out household fires before they cause significant injury to the occupants or damage to the property. The jobs that I feel are least threatened are the careers that involve people -- counselors, lawyers, teachers. Computers and robots can be programed to do any number of tasks, but (at least for now) they don’t have the ability to understand emotion and human nature. Also, the many creative jobs that exist simply cannot be done by robots. Writer, artists, musicians, dancers -- we need the human imagination in those careers. What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? Many fields are in a growth pattern, with healthcare at the top of the heap, due in part to America’s aging population. The baby-boomers, those 65 and older, are projected to nearly double in the next three decades, according to the National Institute on Aging Census Bureau. When we look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13 of the top 20 fastest growing occupations are health related. There is also substantial projected growth in the data sciences. The need to not only collect data, but to analyze, interpret, and utilize that information in problem-solving and decision making has become increasingly important. One important way that students can make themselves marketable in the field is to get a well-rounded education. Yes, learn how to collect and interpret data, but also learn how to work with a team and communicate that information appropriately within the organization. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? Invest in education at all levels! Provide better and easier access to technology. Education is the foundation and the key to strengthening, not only our economy, but our society. By investing in education, communities are supporting and developing our number one resource, people. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? Access to education and training programs is critical for displaced workers. Certificate or apprenticeship programs, community colleges, and universities all offer courses or degrees that can support the development of the skills necessary for today’s workforce. There are several government programs, including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which assists U.S. veterans in finding employment. Following a multi-faceted model may provide the best outcomes for displaced workers. A displaced worker may need more than just help finding another job. He/she may need assistance in coping with a job loss or change. They may need help identifying their skills and interests, and then choosing a job or career path that suits them. Helping clients discover training or educational programs is also important. And finally, assisting them with the job search itself. Dave Ulrich Rensis Likert Professor of Business in the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan and Partner at the RBL Group What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? Robots and automation, in today’s world, perform routine, automated, and repetitive tasks (e.g., assembly line manufacturing, processing tasks like payroll or retail check out, or other routine tasks). Today, tasks requiring judgment are better made by people. As information is cheaper culminating in artificial intelligence, many traditional “judgment” jobs are at risk. Computers defeating human chess masters is an example of increased data processing. As this processing continues to multiple (e.g., driverless cars), more judgment jobs will be automated. Jobs least likely to be automated are those required divergent, not linear thinking. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? Government does not create private sector jobs, but can encourage the right investments in future jobs. In coal or manufacturing jobs, there is often a “U” shape. At the top left is the R&D, design, and engineering work requiring human judgment and insight based on advanced training. At the bottom of the “U” are the operational coal and manufacturing jobs. These jobs are likely to be outsourced to cheaper labor markets or automated. At the top right of the “U” are the branding, distribution, and market facing jobs. These again require innovative thinking not easily automated. Government promises of policies to secure traditional operational jobs is like eating chocolate to lose weight. It won’t happen and is a false positive. Government policies could encourage new training opportunities to prepare for the top left or top right of the “U.” What fields are expected to experience the highest rate of job growth in the next 10 years? I envision three types of future jobs. First, employees will build the information systems that enable robotics and artificial intelligence. These will be coders and AI individuals in growth niches, e.g., internet security. Second, employees continue to be required in relationship jobs (e.g., nurses, service workers) where connections and creativity matter (teachers, entertainers). Third, employees will be required in knowledge judgment jobs where information is commercialized and turned into action. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? When there is collaboration between government, labor/industry, and academic, decisions can be made to help strengthen local and federal economies. Government policies on tax and regulation; industrial investments in customers and markets; academic efforts in preparing employees; and labor commitment to a secure and stable work force may work together to target an industry. This collaboration could be in a local area (Silicon Valley; New Jersey with pharmaceuticals; Western Michigan with furniture; etc.). Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? The idealized model is not as complicated as the commitment of the displaced individual to relearn and reprepare. If a displaced employee desires to upgrade skills, programs can be created that include formal training and informal experience (e.g., a manufacturing assembly line worker can become a nurse). But, if the displaced employee is not willing or able to make this professional transition, training will be unlikely to work. Craig Kerr Professor at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona What types of jobs do you think are most threatened by automation/the rise of robots? What jobs are least threatened? It depends on how fast driver-less cars and trucks can be a legal reality. Those robots have the potential to do the most damage in terms of the number of jobs that will be replaced with robots. In the more immediate future, I would think any cashier job should be replaced. We're used to seeing automatic checkouts at grocery stores but they are starting to appear at fast food restaurants like Panera and McDonalds. You can order a coffee from your Starbucks app before getting out of bed, walk into your neighborhood cafe and pick it up without talking to anyone. The only problem there is you just paid $5 for coffee but that's another issue. Amazon has an experimental convenient store with no humans at all. The purchases are tracked via sensors and the customers are charged without ever scanning an item. What policies can the Trump administration pursue to make good on their promise of increasing jobs in coal and manufacturing? I cannot speak to the coal industry specifically. As for manufacturing jobs, one main reason they left the United States is that the American worker is too expensive relative to his/her substitutes (machines and foreign workers). Companies want to maximize profits and they're not going to employ American workers if there's a cheaper option that can get the job done. Chinese and Mexican workers are still far cheaper than the American worker but all of these workers are simultaneously competing with automation. A good thought experiment is to imagine a robot that is a carbon copy of a worker from the U.S. (I know these don't exist currently, but the example is still valid). If a company hires the robot version of the worker, it doesn't have to pay payroll tax or health insurance. It doesn't have to worry about workers' compensation lawsuits or sensitivity training. It doesn't even have to pay overtime. Historically, such a robot would still be more expensive than the human worker. But the price tag on robots are decreasing while that of the American workers are increasing every time we put more regulation on employment. What policy can the government enact to bring back any jobs? It can stop making the U.S. worker artificially expensive. If you tax a good or service, less of it will be purchased. Since we tax the employment of labor via income taxes, payroll taxes, required health insurance, etc., we have less labor services employed than we otherwise would have. These taxes make foreign labor and automation relatively cheaper options. So my suggestion has been, and always will be, to lower or remove these taxes on workers. The government puts all these taxes and additional costs on labor, which lowers employment, and then tries to find ways to spend the money to increase employment. It's an inefficient mess. That being said, automation has already permanently replaced many of the jobs that left, so some of those jobs will never be coming home. How can local policymakers help diversify and strengthen local economies? The main tool policymakers have in encouraging and discouraging business is taxes and regulations. It's common for localities to offer tax holidays (period of time where a new business is not taxed locally) to attract business. Ideally, you have recession resistant industries for safety like education and medicine with a mix of cyclical industries like Information/Technology (IT). But if you have too many eggs in a cyclical basket, like my hometown Wilmington, Ohio did with the large shipping hub that employed most of the labor force, your locality will suffer greatly when a recession hits. Are there any models for re-training displaced workers that have proven successful? Not that I am aware of, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. The Department of Labor has resources for such things, though. You may want to check with an Economist there.

Methodology

In order to determine the best states for jobs, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states across two key dimensions, including Job Market and Economic Environment. We assigned a heavier weight to the former, considering the factors in that category most heavily influence a job seeker’s decision in terms of relocation for employment.

We evaluated the two dimensions using 24 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for job seekers.

We then calculated the total score for each state based on its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to construct our final ranking.

Job Market – Total Points: 60 Job Opportunities: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Job Openings per Total Population in Labor Force – Unemployment Rate. Employment Growth: Triple Weight (~7.50 Points)Note: This metric measures the rate of annual job growth (adjusted by the working-age population growth). Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~5.00 Points) Industry Variety: Full Weight (~2.50 Points) Employment Outlook: Triple Weight (~7.50 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Gallup's Job Creation Index. Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points) Job Security: Triple Weight (~7.50 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in 2016 – Number of Employees in 2015) / Number of Employees in 2015. Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~2.50 Points) Employer-Based Retirement Access & Participation: Full Weight (~2.50 Points) Employee Benefits: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric measures the share of employees with private health insurance. Presence of Work-Share Programs: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of state programs that allow employers to temporarily reduce work hours of employees instead of laying them off during economic downturns. Presence of State Nondiscrimination Laws & Policies: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of state laws and policies that protect workers against discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender. Share of Part-Time Employees: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric measures the number of part-time employees for every 100 full-time employees. A greater share of full-time employees is ideal. Availability of Internships: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the number of internships per total civilian population aged 16 to 24 in the labor force. Disability-Friendliness of Employers: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of persons with disabilities who are employed. Economic Environment – Total Points: 40 Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~3.08 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living. Monthly Average Starting Salary: Full Weight (~3.08 Points) Share of Workers Living Under Poverty Line: Full Weight (~3.08 Points) Average Length of Work Week (in Hours): Double Weight (~6.15 Points) Average Commute Time (in Minutes): Full Weight (~3.08 Points) Earned Income-Tax Credit: Full Weight (~3.08 Points) State Income-Tax Burden for Low-Income Earners (as Share of Income): Double Weight (~6.15 Points) State Income-Tax Burden for Middle-Income Earners (as Share of Income): Double Weight (~6.15 Points) State Income-Tax Burden for High-Income Earners (as Share of Income): Double Weight (~6.15 Points)

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed.com, Gallup-Healthways, United Health Foundation, Brandwatch, The Pew Charitable Trusts, National Conference of State Legislatures, Center for American Progress, Chegg, Council for Community and Economic Research, Tax Credits for Workers and Their Families, ITEP and WalletHub research.

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Huma’s Humiliating U-Turn: Hillary Hack Invites Weiner Back Home!

BlackListed News

Huma’s Humiliating U-Turn: Hillary Hack Invites Weiner Back Home!

She had finally chopped off Anthony Weiner, or so the story went. This, despite the fact that reports had recently stated that the relationship was on the mend. Of course, the day she filed for divorce was also the day Weiner pled guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor, so maybe it was all about public perception. If so, perhaps she should have been smart enough to stay the fuck away from the guy. After all, the paparazzi has him and her staked out 24/7, 365.

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2017’s Best & Worst Cities for Staycations

Wallet HubWallet Hub

2017’s Best & Worst Cities for Staycations

Posted by: Richie Bernardo

You don’t have to go away to really “get away” if you’re in need of a summer escape. And we don’t mean getting lost in your imagination or a gripping novel, however far such avenues can transport you. Rather, a “staycation” might be in order, especially if you aren’t inclined to drive or fly long distances or simply can’t afford to use your vacation time, the unfortunate reality for nearly a third of us who work.

There are certain places that offer a plethora of options for entertainment and relaxation at the right price point, making those cities the perfect spots for staying local.

To help you decide whether to leave home or bring vacation to your front door, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the 150 largest cities based on 36 key indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation. Read on for the full ranking, our methodology and useful staycationing tips from experts.

Main Findings Ask the Experts Methodology Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/4341/geochart-staycation.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-staycations/4341/">WalletHub</a></div>

 

Best Places for a Staycation

Overall Rank (1 = Best)

City

Total Score

‘Recreation’ Rank

‘Food & Entertainment’ Rank

‘Rest & Relaxation’ Rank

1	Orlando, FL	63.66	13	1	20
2	Chicago, IL	61.49	1	11	10
3	San Diego, CA	59.32	6	5	18
4	Seattle, WA	59.21	3	6	25
5	Tampa, FL	58.80	15	15	3
6	Las Vegas, NV	58.62	37	2	30
7	Atlanta, GA	57.92	10	9	15
8	Portland, OR	57.68	7	3	70
9	San Francisco, CA	56.73	4	4	79
10	New York, NY	53.11	12	10	76
11	Scottsdale, AZ	52.70	46	33	2
12	Honolulu, HI	52.16	11	14	80
13	Denver, CO	51.45	19	16	60
14	Minneapolis, MN	51.38	25	20	27
15	Philadelphia, PA	49.85	5	19	116
16	Austin, TX	49.71	22	17	86
17	Boston, MA	49.66	9	53	43
18	Pittsburgh, PA	49.66	31	12	88
19	Fort Lauderdale, FL	49.61	14	45	37
20	Tucson, AZ	49.58	33	18	44
21	Sacramento, CA	49.54	41	31	13
22	Boise, ID	49.10	38	36	22
23	New Orleans, LA	49.05	42	13	63
24	Richmond, VA	48.95	24	30	42
25	Salt Lake City, UT	48.93	43	23	61
26	Virginia Beach, VA	48.81	18	63	19
27	Springfield, MO	48.22	90	58	4
28	Madison, WI	48.14	30	65	7
29	St. Louis, MO	47.52	40	8	117
30	Knoxville, TN	47.39	53	32	55
31	Cincinnati, OH	46.94	16	22	120
32	Washington, DC	46.74	2	21	148
33	Houston, TX	46.15	55	7	119
34	Miami, FL	45.93	21	25	121
35	Nashville, TN	45.29	47	42	45
36	Omaha, NE	44.73	17	44	107
37	Sioux Falls, SD	44.56	106	46	36
38	St. Petersburg, FL	44.41	35	61	58
39	Reno, NV	44.40	56	24	105
40	Cleveland, OH	44.33	45	62	39
41	Los Angeles, CA	43.79	65	28	78
42	Grand Rapids, MI	43.76	76	59	40
43	Jacksonville, FL	43.68	28	56	94
44	Albuquerque, NM	43.52	52	34	87
45	San Antonio, TX	43.26	81	27	74
46	Lincoln, NE	43.22	23	85	82
47	Baltimore, MD	43.12	26	29	134
48	Tempe, AZ	43.06	125	64	8
49	Spokane, WA	43.05	62	73	38
50	Tallahassee, FL	42.99	29	75	89
51	Colorado Springs, CO	42.99	51	37	90
52	Kansas City, MO	42.70	68	55	46
53	Amarillo, TX	42.65	112	100	21
54	Raleigh, NC	42.61	57	43	81
55	Milwaukee, WI	42.57	34	40	118
56	Columbus, OH	42.57	85	35	56
57	Cape Coral, FL	42.40	59	130	12
58	Jackson, MS	42.21	141	126	1
59	Phoenix, AZ	41.85	83	48	51
60	Tacoma, WA	41.83	95	51	75
61	Peoria, AZ	41.81	44	139	11
62	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	41.34	32	134	47
63	Charlotte, NC	41.14	61	49	85
64	Rochester, NY	40.74	91	26	137
65	Huntington Beach, CA	40.67	39	99	92
66	Fayetteville, NC	40.54	146	111	9
67	Overland Park, KS	40.33	133	105	23
68	Tulsa, OK	40.30	86	92	32
69	St. Paul, MN	40.24	36	54	132
70	Chattanooga, TN	40.23	94	38	115
71	Santa Clarita, CA	40.12	8	131	110
72	Mesa, AZ	40.07	69	72	64
73	Akron, OH	40.03	104	112	33
74	Glendale, CA	39.97	20	132	84
75	Dallas, TX	39.94	78	39	106
76	Lexington-Fayette, KY	39.88	87	68	54
77	Baton Rouge, LA	39.82	77	66	69
78	Columbus, GA	39.74	123	110	14
79	Birmingham, AL	39.60	136	41	98
80	Augusta, GA	39.47	150	78	35
81	Norfolk, VA	39.47	27	109	113
82	Modesto, CA	39.42	133	96	24
83	El Paso, TX	39.35	105	60	52
84	Little Rock, AR	39.28	102	87	57
85	Henderson, NV	39.24	79	97	50
86	Buffalo, NY	39.14	54	52	127
87	Grand Prairie, TX	39.14	119	143	5
88	Des Moines, IA	38.70	111	113	62
89	Shreveport, LA	38.49	149	79	34
90	Stockton, CA	38.33	109	108	17
91	Glendale, AZ	38.29	48	140	67
92	Long Beach, CA	38.29	93	107	49
93	Huntsville, AL	38.29	92	80	95
94	Indianapolis, IN	38.28	63	71	104
95	Garden Grove, CA	38.15	74	129	59
96	Greensboro, NC	37.99	50	117	100
97	Plano, TX	37.62	66	98	91
98	Moreno Valley, CA	37.57	89	141	26
99	Memphis, TN	37.54	88	69	96
100	Oklahoma City, OK	37.32	117	77	41
101	Laredo, TX	37.27	115	138	6
102	Chandler, AZ	37.25	96	121	48
103	Bakersfield, CA	37.24	138	90	29
104	Newport News, VA	37.22	127	103	68
105	Fontana, CA	37.19	84	149	16
106	Winston-Salem, NC	36.90	82	124	72
107	Aurora, CO	36.87	73	84	108
108	Santa Rosa, CA	36.84	70	119	101
109	Montgomery, AL	36.69	129	91	73
110	Corpus Christi, TX	36.41	80	123	83
111	Vancouver, WA	36.21	142	94	71
112	Pembroke Pines, FL	35.96	145	102	65
113	Louisville, KY	35.95	67	57	139
114	Chesapeake, VA	35.75	60	95	123
115	Mobile, AL	35.68	147	74	93
116	Fort Wayne, IN	35.62	64	82	131
117	Garland, TX	35.57	110	127	28
118	San Jose, CA	35.48	100	83	97
119	Anchorage, AK	35.24	49	86	143
120	Providence, RI	35.17	120	47	140
121	Detroit, MI	34.89	71	93	125
122	Oceanside, CA	34.83	103	106	111
123	Wichita, KS	34.57	101	67	126
124	Durham, NC	34.53	72	101	124
125	Fort Worth, TX	34.40	107	89	102
126	Arlington, TX	34.08	108	104	103
127	Toledo, OH	34.03	122	76	99
128	San Bernardino, CA	33.57	124	137	77
129	Brownsville, TX	33.52	148	147	31
130	Fresno, CA	33.09	118	88	109
131	Irvine, CA	33.05	58	128	138
132	Anaheim, CA	32.95	121	50	133
133	Riverside, CA	32.55	98	120	122
134	Ontario, CA	32.47	126	150	53
135	Gilbert, AZ	32.28	116	144	66
136	Aurora, IL	32.16	75	145	114
137	Lubbock, TX	31.53	97	125	130
138	Worcester, MA	30.65	135	118	136
139	Irving, TX	30.00	113	116	135
140	Jersey City, NJ	29.34	137	115	129
141	North Las Vegas, NV	28.56	130	142	112
142	Oakland, CA	28.07	99	70	150
143	Port St. Lucie, FL	27.78	131	81	149
144	Hialeah, FL	27.12	132	114	142
145	Newark, NJ	27.12	128	122	146
146	Fremont, CA	26.96	139	133	144
147	Santa Ana, CA	26.82	114	136	145
148	Oxnard, CA	26.38	144	148	128
149	Yonkers, NY	25.92	140	146	141
150	Chula Vista, CA	23.58	143	135	147

Ask the Experts

There’s a difference between a staycation and business as usual in the context of staying local. And it all has to do with how you spend your time in the city you call home. For advice on making the best of your staycation, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? What is the best time of year to have a staycation? In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? < > Allen Z. Reich Professor in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University Doug Kennedy Professor and Chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College Thomas P. Sweeney Assistant Professor of Recreation & Tourism Management at Georgia Southern University Jonathan R. Hicks Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato Susan Barnett Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland Jim Sibthorp Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at University of Utah Andrew Szolosi Associate Professor of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University M.T. Hickman Lead Faculty of Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management at Richland College Donna K. Lindenmeier Associate Professor of Recreation Management, Recreational Therapy and Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University Ramon B. Zabriskie Professor and Coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation and Management Major at Brigham Young University Gyan Nyaupane Professor of Tourism and Graduate Program Director in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University Holly J. Bean Doctoral Student of Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Southern Maine Dan Caston Assistant Professor of Recreation Leadership at Ferrum College Allen Z. Reich Professor in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? First, let’s get some definitions out of the way. Vacation has had several meanings over the years -- over the centuries, but is most often associated with physically and mentally vacating your current premise -- taking a holiday from your normal surroundings. The definition of staycation varies from person to person. For most of us, it would be simply sleeping at home, but doing something a little out of the ordinary that would produce some of the same sense of newness and relaxation as traditional vacations. This could be getting to know your immediate community a little better or taking day trips to local attractions or restaurants that you’ve been meaning to visit. A lesser used meaning of the term would apply to those with deeper pockets, and could include staying within the borders of one’s country. “We’ve been to Europe so many times, we haven’t been to Wyoming yet, so let’s go there this summer. Second, is the mildly crazy (and perhaps embarrassing) fact that a large percentage of residents of a community have seen less of their community than people that travel there for a vacation. If this is your reality, then the staycation is a great opportunity to do what you probably should have done long ago and to do something that is relaxing, enjoyable, and educational, that doesn’t break the bank. Depending on one’s sense of community, helping out a local charitable organization may be just the thing to help you recharge your physical and emotional energy. Third, whether the goal is a truly relaxing staycation or virtually any activity that one or more people may participate in, the next consideration is to find out what activities are most desirable to those involved. For example, someone that sits in an office all day may consider a hike on a mountain path to be relaxing, while someone that works on their feet most of the day, may want to do something less physically taxing, such as a spa retreat. As I write this, I can’t help but think about diversions that make me the happiest -- music, woodworking, and anything to do with bodies of water, be it lakes, rivers, creeks, or oceans -- seeing it, fishing, eating fish, and boating. Fourth, staycations are often less stressful than many traditional vacations. Since you know the area much better than more distant locals, you will generally feel more comfortable with your surroundings. One of my most stressful experiences was a vacation in another country where we were constantly worried about catching the next bus or train, the best places to stay or dine. We would get to our hotel at night and be exhausted. Staycations, guided tours, and cruises are now much higher on our list of options. Just yesterday, I booked a short vacation for my family. Before we’ve even left the house, I’ve already spent several thousand dollars and in the end will probably spend over $5,000 for a less than a week out of town. This makes that fine-dining restaurant that we’ve been wanting to go to seem a lot more reasonable. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Walking downtown, touring locally owned -- non-chain shops, talking with workers about their knowledge of the local area or where they’re from. If you’re lucky, you may run into some of the crafters that make items that the shops are selling. Taking the kids to the local city hall or court house can be both a civics lesson and give one a sense of getting closer to one’s community. Volunteering for a local charity not only doesn’t break the bank, but teaches kids the importance of giving back. My family’ main activity in this area is the Flagstaff Family Food Center where we help prepare meals for those in need. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I have two answers to this question. The first is whatever makes you happiest. For most of us this will be Spring -- the greening of the environment and the proliferation of small animals and birds. The second, and I think the most truthfully beneficial, is that any time of year should be ideal for a staycation. It’s not healthy to stay cooped up inside for months waiting for your favorite season or weather. One benefit of this perspective is that this positive attitude will, or at least should, have an impact on most other facets of your life. Finally, I’m appreciative of the opportunity to prepare these brief comments on staycations. It has helped me realize that my family and I need to take advantage of the many local opportunities that we have in our community. Doug Kennedy Professor and Chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? I can't stress this enough, either turn off the Wi-Fi completely or find a way to limit the amount of accessto the internet. The single biggest challenge to relaxing during a staycation is not treating it like a "work-from-home day," even for a little while. Vacations are rooted in the notion that people experience something new. With half of all workers leaving vacation time unused at the end of every year, and electronic access to work so easy, people need to really prepare for the temptation of staying connected to the workplace and how difficult it can be to avoid. Unless work is avoided at all costs, there's nothing "new" about a staycation if it lets work creep in. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Get outside. As our lives, especially our children's, continue to be shaped by sedentary indoor activities, there's never been a more important time to renew our relationship with the outdoors. Local, state, and national parks are unbelievable bargains. Also, consider geocaching. Apps are free and kids love the thrill of hunting for one of the thousands of "caches" around the country. Lastly, consider lunch for the meal that's eaten out. So many great restaurants have wonderful lunch menus at lower prices and are much more relaxed mid-day. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best time of the year for a staycation relates to the emotional and the practical. Both have to be aligned. For example, the accountant who's just finished tax season emotionally might really want a staycation, but with kids in school that might not be practical. Likewise, the staycation that happens between Christmas and New Years when kids are out of school but a million holiday commitments are present might not allow for a mental break. People need to be realistic and ask themselves "Can I/we really turn the world off for a while, and do we need that?" In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Variety of food choices. I'm amazed at how many people report that their staycation gave them the prefect reason to explore all the restaurants they'd been meaning to try out. Nearby destinations. No one wants to start every day of their staycation by driving two hours. Decide what that distance is when the thrill of the trip wears off. For most people that's about an hour tops. Outdoor opportunity. 40% of the country lives in a county connected to a coastline, so water-based activities are available. Then there's the west where mountains are at the ready. Whether it's those or any other features of our land, the opportunity to explore the outdoors needs to be considered. Special events. A regular schedule of festivals and special events throughout the year provide a great way to anchor a staycation. Minor league and not just major league. Tickets to a "major" sports league game can be a bank-breaker for many families. The same could be said for Broadway tickets. However, a similar experience can be gained at a fraction of the price when a city has a minor league team or vibrant community arts scene. Thomas P. Sweeney Assistant Professor of Recreation & Tourism Management at Georgia Southern University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? When people decide to forgo travel to have a staycation, it’s important they remember that this is, first and foremost, a vacation, meaning you have an opportunity to disengage from work and your normal routine to have a quality recreation experience. Don’t let the fact that you aren’t going very far from your home base detract from the overall purpose. There are a couple of ways that you can ensure that you can have a great staycation. First, plan. It’s safe to assume that if you were going to take a trip you would do research to make sure that you had the best possible experience. Why should it be any different if it’s a staycation? Think about what you want to do and then research options in your area. Just because you live in a place doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about it, doing some research could uncover something you didn’t even know existed. Second, step outside of your normal routine and try something new. It’s very easy if we aren’t leaving our city, town, or normal area, to go where we always go and do what we always do, but don’t fall into that trap! Is there a restaurant that you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t? Go! A golf course that is normally “too expensive, crowded, etc.?” Play it! You’re on vacation. Third, disconnect. Turn off your phone, don’t check your email, and don’t take a call from your boss. If you were 3,000 miles away on a desert island somewhere you wouldn’t care if your inbox filled up, so don’t care on your staycation either. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? There are so many options available to people through state and local parks and recreation agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit agencies that are great for families. State and local parks are a great way to get everyone outside, into nature, for minimal to no cost. There’s often programming for all age groups and admission is usually free or only a small donation. If the great outdoors isn’t your thing, I would recommend looking into programs offered through your local recreation agencies. There is often very diverse programming for all ages and families that is very cost-effective or free. If you’re looking for something more specific, family art projects are great for kids, cooking meals together or going out to eat as a family to a new restaurant or type of food is always exciting, and I always recommend going to minor league professional sports games, if there is one fairly close by, for a more cost effective alternative to the top level of sports. If you’re a little more adventurous, try hiking, camping, and the many trampoline parks that are popping up all over the place. The main thing you want to consider, no matter what you choose, is that it’s something that everyone will enjoy. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I really don’t think there is a best or worst time of year for a staycation, it’s all about what you’re looking for as an individual and the types of activities in which you are interested in participating. Recreation is very subjective, so whatever time of year is more conducive to creating a positive leisure experience for you, that is the best time of year for a staycation. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? This is a tough question to generalize because what people are looking for is going to be very specific to their individual recreation needs, however, I think that there are some broad categories that can encompass a lot of elements that can make a staycation experience a good one. Cost: The purpose of a staycation is often to save money, so you want to make sure the recreation options that are available are going to be cost effective. Diversity of opportunities: The more recreation opportunities, and the types of recreation opportunities that are available, the better. Cities that have something for everyone are typically the best for staycations. Access/Ease of travel: Being able to get places fairly easily and reasonably quickly is an absolute must. The last thing you want is to spend your staycation stuck in traffic or driving hours to reach your destination. Obviously, everyone has their own tolerances for how much they’re willing to travel for their experience, but typically I find that more time doing what you actually want to be doing the better. Amenities: The auxiliary or ancillary spaces related to or surrounding a recreation venue can either enhance or detract from the overall experience. Having good amenities available, whether it’s food, parking, reception areas, or locker areas can put your experience over the top. Favorable Recreation Environment: Some cities and areas view recreation more favorably than others, which can dramatically influence a recreation experience, especially for locals. Most places hone in on tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and try to create experiences to bring people from other places to their respective city, town and area. While this is a good thing, people who live there do not have the same needs as those coming in from out of town. Cities who view recreation in a broader context create a leisure culture that not only attracts tourism, but makes a city a better place to live, work and experience recreation are the best places for staycations. Jonathan R. Hicks Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? The ideal vacation provides an escape and an opportunity to recharge your batteries. Try not to treat your staycation like it is any less significant than a conventional vacation. To choose a staycation means not flying away to a far-off paradise; but just because you are not in Hawaii doesn’t mean your staycation is any less important. Try to make decisions that you would in paradise: turn off your phone, set an email away message, take a deep breath, and find a quiet space. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? When on a staycation, I always start by visiting websites for the area tourism bureau and nearby parks departments. The very nature of tourism and parks departments are to promote opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. The scope of parks departments in particular has really grown in recent years; parks are no longer just places for playgrounds and picnics. Many parks departments provide access to concerts, botanical and sculpture gardens, zoos, museums, beaches, hiking, and golf -- often for nominal or no fees. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? Of course, the best answer is always “it depends.” Schedules, particularly of parents, often dictate that staycations happen in the summer. However, I personally enjoy winter trips, preferably soon after the holidays. Destinations that would be filled with summer tourists are often much more laid back and easy to access in the winter. Accommodations are easier to book and are generally noticeably less expensive. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Climate: If you dislike snow, a January trip to Yellowstone National Park is probably not a good choice for you. Geographic proximity: I prefer to stay within 500 miles/8 hours of home. Spending too much time in a car can detract from your ability to relax. Affordability: The top motivation for a staycation is usually cost. Novelty: Find a combination of familiar and unfamiliar places. We often overlook local tourist destinations; staycations are great times to explore those spaces. Ease of access: Once you have arrived, no one wants to wait in line. Identify places or times of year that will allow you to access places with minimal delay. Susan Barnett Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Staycations can be relaxing if families make the same preparations to stay home as they would to go on vacation. This includes informing employers, co-workers and employees of the time off as vacation and not saying, “well, I’ll still be around," setting email "away messages," and turning digital devices to “airplane” mode. In addition, prepare to stay by cleaning the house, grocery shop in advance, and complete any errands. Plus, make rules as a family to not do household work or tasks. Completing little tasks ahead of time will help the family feel more on vacation and less like it is a day off of work. By preparing to be “away," families will have more time together and less stress during the days of their staycation. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Families could look for local festivals within the region of their home. Most festivals have a low to no cost entrance fee, provide entertainment for the whole family, and typically are a few days. Another idea is that families could explore the state and national parks within an hour drive of their home. If multiple parks are nearby, an annual parks pass is a cost effective way to see many of the state and national parks. Pack a lunch to save money on food costs as well. Many cities have multiple types of playgrounds (some with water features), so families could playground hop. Lastly, the local city park and recreation district is a great resource for low or no cost activities during the year (particularly in the summer) with movies in the park, exercise classes, swimming and more. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best part of staycations is that you can go on one whenever you want! Ideally, going on a staycation during non-peak travel months will result in lower crowds and better deals than peak travel months. If families are in a major city, visiting local tourist attractions during the middle of the week reduces the crowds as well. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? I look for package deals on multiple attractions, low costs on public transportation and parking, outdoor spaces for picnics and playgrounds, inclusive environments for the entire family (from young to old, strollers to wheelchairs), and plenty of safe walking or bike paths. Jim Sibthorp Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at University of Utah What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? From a “family benefit” perspective, I’d probably suggest a low cost alternative (such as camping) vacation instead of a staycation. I think it is difficult to disconnect from everyday concerns when staying in your same house connected to the internet. I’d suggest something where you can unplug and focus on family/social/the immediate moment. Obviously, it has to be something considered fun by your family. If your family is not into camping in the woods, maybe camping by a reservoir where they can swim or renting a canoe. I also think staycations are difficult because saying “no” to standing commitments such as soccer practice for the kids or quickly checking in on work emails is inauthentic -- meaning there is no mechanical reason why you can’t do these things. So, the making decisions on yes/no is a constant process. If you are physically removed and/or disconnected, participation in standing commitments is not really an option and, thus, not a decision that you have to make. You’ve already made it. Andrew Szolosi Associate Professor of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? A staycation, similar to a vacation, aims to provide a person with a break from the demands in their everyday life. As people, we often seek out such breaks when we are mentally or physically tired. That said, people generally choose vacation destinations they believe will support their needs. As a restorative experience, I believe the most effective staycations perhaps offer a person with an opportunity to interact with sources of fascination (i.e., water, greenery, vistas, or perhaps something novel). These kinds of fascinations provide a basis for resting our mental resources that frequently get worn down through work and the routine demands in our everyday life. Although nature provides abundant sources of fascination (birds, waterfalls, sunsets etc.), a person could experience this sense of fascination when visiting a local restaurant they have never been to or a local museum or historic area. Beyond being a new experience, which itself can be fascinating, these kinds of experiences tend to allow a person to escape or gain a sense of being away. Being away, both physically and cognitively, is absolutely critical for a staycation or any type of experience to be restorative. A person could travel thousands of miles to the most pristine and beautiful landscape and still not obtain freedom from their daily work demands. Unfortunately, smartphones are largely responsible for making this aim more difficult to achieve in our society. Given that consideration, a person might just as easily obtain the rest they need by visiting a local park or restaurant they have never been to. These settings, under the right circumstances, could transport a person away from the everyday environment that places demand on their emotional and cognitive resources. In addition to finding places and activities that offer some sense of fascination and being away, people should choose a place or activity that will sustain their interest and will be compatible or support their needs. Some people want the sublime quiet that nature offers, while others want the excitement of a big city. Research has shown that the most effective restorative experiences possess these kinds of factors: fascination, being away, extent, and compatibility. I would suspect that these same factors play a role in having a truly relaxing staycation. Activities that could facilitate a positive family staycation and that may possess some of the factors mentioned earlier could be: Hiking your local metro parks. Renting a canoe or kayak and exploring a local lake or river. Visiting a local historic area. Camping out at your local state park. Ride bikes on a local bike trail. Picnic in the park. Visit the local art, history, or science museum. Take a cooking or pottery class. Eat at a local ethnic restaurant. Attend the weekly farmer's market in the area. Movie in the park. M.T. Hickman Lead Faculty of Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management at Richland College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? The goal of a staycation should be the same as an away from home vacation. It is a time to relax and rejuvenate and do things that you don’t normally do. If you wake up to an alarm every day, turn it off. Take time for naps. Create an out of the office message and don’t check e-mail or limit time on work activities. The staycation should be treated just like an away from home vacation. Put out jigsaw puzzle and all the family can work on. If budget allows -- rent a different car. Make small changes to the home that make it feel different. This could be setting out a fruit bowl like you see at a hotel and or placing fresh flowers in every room. Burn candles in incent to change the fragrance of the home. Sleep in a different bed. If you have a guest room, become the guest in your own home. Create your own turn down service and put candy on the bed. Discover the unique in your community. Research the local Tourism/Convention Bureaus and see what they are doing to promote your area to visitors. Visit DFW is an excellent site to locate attractions and things to do. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Festivals are my favorite -- most are family friendly, free of charge and include music. Attend minor league sporting events (baseball, soccer, hockey). These are cheaper both in tickets and on-site refreshments than major leagues. Pack your own lunch. Eating out is so expensive but with a little planning the family can be off for an all-day adventure and have a healthy inexpensive meal. Use public transportation. Many locations charge for parking, when available try taking the train or bus. Find activities that are educational. Check out the local library for events and activities. Have a family book reading. Take a field trip to see government in action. Find activities that give back. Research local charities and have the family vote on what to do. Is there a food bank that needs help? In Dallas the North Texas Food Bank is always looking for help Volunteer to clean up a park. Take advantage of group and special discounts. If you can schedule you staycation with another families, you can take advantage of group discounts to museum. Most groups start with 10-15 people. Most places offer military and student discounts. Experience another country in your own back yard. Take the family to an ethnic grocery store and purchase food to create a family dinner. I can spend hours in the local Chinese market. Discover the great outdoors: arboretum, local parks, public swimming pools, area lakes and rivers. Family Camping in the back yard or garage -- set up a tent -- and don’t go in the house for the night. Family dance off – Each family member sleets a song to dance to on the computer and everyone dances. This can be done on the fly -- one family member selects disco, the next Rapp music. It is a fun way to experience everyone’s musical taste. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? I like the spring and fall because of all the festivals. One thing to consider is the day of the week. Weekends are when most people are off work and when attractions are the busiest. Set your staycation to the weekdays; this is also when you can get the best deals. Check when museums are open, some will close on Mondays. If summer is the only option -- try to get to museums early to avoid the crowds. Donna K. Lindenmeier Associate Professor of Recreation Management, Recreational Therapy and Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Treat a staycation the same as a “go away” vacation -- turn off the office cell, do not plan house cleaning chores, pause the regularly scheduled activities for you and your family (soccer practice, etc.), and plan it the same as a go away vacation. If you are staying in an area hotel, pack as if you are going to an away hotel -- do not continually run back home for stuff. Remember that this is your vacation -- close to home or far away, you need to get into the vacation mindset. Plan activities that are fun and interesting. If you have said, “I live here and I have not done X,” this is the time to try some of those things. Pretend that you have left your home area. This way, you are less likely to “just run this one errand” while doing vacation stuff. Home or away, this is your vacation; you have earned it. Do not feel guilty about taking vacation. This can often be more difficult if at home, so be aware. Have a vacation mindset word that you tell yourself when you remember that the dry cleaning needs to be picked up and you are two blocks away at the park. It is okay to ignore the dry cleaning this week. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? There are lots of things to do locally and the options are going to depend on where you live. However, there is no need to spend huge amounts of money to have fun. Some of the best fun can even be free. Get information from your local Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Bureau, and/or the State Travel Information (name varies by state). There are probably some things you do not even know in your area. Some inexpensive ideas can include: hiking in the area park or nature area, go to the local park and have a picnic, go to the movies, pile pillows on the floor and have a movie marathon, review some interesting cookbooks and cook an exotic meal, go to the local zoo, go to an area water park. Book a room in an area hotel that has a swimming pool and play in the water. This gives you a night away from the house, and the pool will not be as crowded as a city pool. Look at the offerings in your city’s park and recreation department for interesting one day events. Expand your search to the surrounding cities, area community centers, trade education agencies, and private businesses that offer fun activities (like chocolate candy workshop). Watch for area festivals. Many have minimal or no entrance fee, have great music, and lots to see. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? The best time for a staycation depends on your location, what you want to do, and when you can take time off. There are probably more activities available in the summer for families, but less demand (more availability) during the school year. Just like a go away vacation, it all depends on when you can go. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Remember that this is your vacation and the best indicators for evaluating a city for your staycation, are a) if there are a variety of options for what to do, b) if you can find fun things to do that truly interest you. If not, look on down the road. Top indicators for great cities for staycations will depend on what you like the most. If you want nature, consider places with nature centers, wildlife preserves, and area state/national parks. If you want nightlife and glitz, consider your close metropolitan cities. If you want family-friendly activities, consider your suburban cities. The cities that seem to offer the most variety tend to be great tourist destinations anyway. A great resource for discovering the fun activities in your area is your state tourism bureau. Look for web pages that tell “what is happening” in a region of the state during the spring, fall, summer, winter. Some will be per year; others will be per season. Ramon B. Zabriskie Professor and Coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation and Management Major at Brigham Young University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Obviously, things vary a little based on the family structure (no children, young children, adolescent children, older couple, grandchildren, etc.) but here a couple of general tips. Involve every family member in the planning (including the very youngest to the very oldest). Great vacations and staycations start long before the actual “event.” The planning, anticipation, preparation, etc. is all part of a meaningful staycation experience. The fact that the family is willing to encourage, listen to, and utilize ideas from all family members also contributes to a successful family staycation long before it actually happens. Be willing to try new, different, simple, or less simple activities. Nothing is too simple or regular and nothing is too crazy or impossible if you’re willing to be creative with your staycations. A “Trip to Hawaii” to swim on the beach or to “The Caribbean” are certainly great staycation ideas. Swimming could be a splash pool in the yard, a slip and slide, sprinklers, the community pool, the pool at the City Parks and Recreation Center, a local water park, a local lake, or beach. Of course, Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian punch, Hawaiian food, flip flops, glasses, etc. are all part of a staycation trip to Hawaii. When was the last time you packed up the family and went to the local pool? Did you even know there were 14 different Polynesian restaurants in town? What about that place across town that has the Flow Rider where you can take the whole family to learn how to “surf?” A staycation luau will also be necessary and everyone must learn how to limbo! And of course, the great thing about a staycation Hawaiian vacation is you get to come home and sleep in your own bed each night. Also, you can invite grandma and grandpa (if they’re local) to just one day of your staycation. Remember to be flexible. While good family planning and creativity is essential for a successful staycation, being able to be flexible, adjust, and adapt is just as important. As a matter of fact, that is one of the characteristics often developed and refined during family recreation experiences that is vital to family health and wellness. So, if your family Caribbean staycation including a day at the local water park, a Pirates of the Caribbean movie marathon in costume, fencing lessons, fishing at the local urban fishing pond, a trip to an interesting museum across town, etc. gets too busy, or it rains, or the museum is closed -- you may need to adjust, just go for a walk, play a board game with your pirate hats on and eat popsicles, go on a bike ride, play Frisbee or build a sandcastle at the neighborhood park, or just take a nap, hang a hammock and relax. It is important to remember you are on a family vacation. No work! Be with the family on vacation. That doesn’t mean that activities and experiences from your staycation don’t become integrating into regular family life during non staycation times. As a matter of fact, that’s one of the added benefits of staycations. Discovering new local resources, family interests, and regular home based activities to do together that can become part of your regular day to day families experience is also one of the most salient and important aspects of family life in terms of family functioning and wellness. Intentionally search for local activities and resources that you may typically over look, not consider, or not even know about. Small town celebrations, holiday events, state fairs, free community events, Parks & Recreation events, and local museums, parks, trail systems, bike paths, lakes, streams, factories, recreation centers, specialty shops, etc. can help facilitate priceless family experiences and staycations at little to know cost. When we moved to Indiana to teach fulltime and complete my Ph.D. with 3 young kids, we had very little time or resources for family vacations. My wife found a book of 365 things to do in Indiana that was just what we needed to get us started. Our family did more things, had more adventures, and saw more places in our three years in Indiana than most Hoosiers new existed. Who knew we could pan for gold, see a working water wheel and churn butter at a historical park, learn to scuba dive, navigate a boat through underground river and see blind cave fish and salamanders, go through a narrows canyon while spelunking, eat some of things we ate at local celebrations, get kidnapped by your kids and taken to a kids center and play laser tag, find a natural water slide, go to museums, children’s museums, zoos, fish for steelhead and salmon, have turtle races, camp, visit historical places, and play board games by candlelight during a tornado warning, etc. as a family during a little to no time and budget period in our lives. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Seek resources, chamber of commerce, Parks & Recreation departments, websites, celebrations, community events, the Walmart game shelves, etc. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? Any time! Also, when everyone else leaves town for their vacations -- you plan your staycation! Gyan Nyaupane Professor of Tourism and Graduate Program Director in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Check local attractions close to your home where tourists come and visit. Avoid long weekends and holidays. Rather, if you are flexible, pick the days when other people are working. For example, Tuesday through Thursday. Check last minute deals, such as hoteltonight.com. Local resorts offer great deals during the off-season. Vacation is a state of mind and it matters what you experience, not the distance you travel, so you don’t need to fly thousands of miles to have a good time. Make your staycation special and memorable, which is more important than how much money you spent. Don’t let your staycation occupied by your day-to-day maintenance or work. Try to create a boundary between your work/maintenance and leisure when you are on staycation. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Go to museums, theme parks, water parks, state parks, and monuments around home. Check local events. Municipal Parks and Recreation Departments and Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) usually list these events on their websites. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? During the off-season when your town/surrounding areas are less crowded. This could be summer months for some places and winter for others. When hotels are expensive, the price of gasoline is high, and flights are expensive. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Cities with a variety of tourist attractions. Cities with a lot of tourism amenities, including convenient and free parking for visitors/residents, pedestrian/bike friendly paths, and shopping and dining opportunities, and good public transportation. Cities that care about their residents’ well-being and quality of life by providing many recreation opportunities for all ages, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and races. Cities that organize many events. Cities with strong Parks and Recreation Departments. Holly J. Bean Doctoral Student of Recreation and Leisure Studies at University of Southern Maine What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? As a frequent traveler, staycations are not something that I focus on, however, I take advantage of many of the activities that Maine has to offer while I am here. I welcome guests to stay with us and I am always excited to share Maine's bounty of offerings. A truly relaxing staycation is purely subjective. What I might feel is relaxing (working in the garden) would be drudgery for another. Early morning walks on the beach (we live 10 minutes from the Atlantic) with my dogs starts my day off nicely. Having the time to make a fabulous meal with close friends is another relaxing activity that I enjoy. Portland, Maine has become quite the cultural center of Maine. I've enjoyed music, in the summer there are numerous free concerts throughout the area. Hiking in the area is another free activity that I find relaxing. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Aforementioned activities are some of the free activities, others include: First night freebies. On the first Friday of every month in Portland many places offer free admission and entertainment. Philanthropy is always welcomed and families have a plethora of choices: working as stewards of the environment by volunteering to clear trails, pick up garbage, etc., or volunteering at a soup kitchen, a food bank, etc. Portland hosts a myriad of gatherings in Deering Oaks Park, all culturally diverse. Portland Summer films offers free rooftop summer viewing of movies. Our area boasts numerous lighthouses, all free to view. Portland Lighthouse, which is actually in Cape Elizabeth, is the "most photographed" lighthouse in Maine. It is located in Fort Williams, also free to the public. Fort Williams, once an active military base, offers ruins, trails, ocean swimming, picnic area, and a playground. At Bug Light, a park dedicated to the memory of the Liberty Ships (WWII they were built here) families can enjoy the constellation of kites that fill the sky. The fourth of July fireworks can be viewed either from the water or on an obliging hillside, close to Portland. Walking along Commercial Street in Portland one can find buskers, sumptuous smells, dogs, and plenty of opportunities to people watch. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? For the open minded, staycations can take place at any time of the year. Living in Maine offers four seasons of opportunities to enjoy our great state. Winter offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, and hiking opportunities. Within hours, you can either be at the coast or in the mountains. Rangeley, Maine offers a Snowdeo that brings in many, many people who enjoy snowmobiling and the outdoors. In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? Indicators for best staycation cities include: accessibility, customer service attitudes, diverse offerings, community openness and willingness to share their knowledge, and the pride that citizens have for their area (this would include environmental pride; cleanliness). Dan Caston Assistant Professor of Recreation Leadership at Ferrum College What are some tips for having a truly relaxing staycation? Disconnect from digital technology. If you're checking emails from work and constantly checking social media, you're not connected with the people and places with whom you are sharing your experience. Mindfulness research indicates that in order to relax, it is necessary to be fully present. It is simply not possible to relax while dividing your thoughts and energy. Participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, biking, etc. Research shows that spending time in nature is good physiologically as well as psychologically. Many people work in closed indoor environments that prohibit the body and mind from restoring focus and energy, which contributes to feelings of mental and physical fatigue. Spending time outdoors and in nature has been shown to directly reduce blood pressure, increase mental acuity, and calm the body. Keep it simple. The more complex the activity is to plan and implement, the more stress it may cause. By selecting activities that are easy to make happen, the more relaxing they will be. Many people lead very demanding and complicated lives and truly need down time to decompress. Selecting activities that are simple helps to reduce the feeling of living a harrowed life. Take time for yourself. Spend time with family and friends but then seek private time for reading, working on a puzzle, or taking a walk. So much of our lives are dictated by needs of others such as kids, bosses, and family members. You must take care of yourself in order to offer your best to others. What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank? Participate in programs and facilities offered through local Parks and Recreation Departments. Parks and Recreation Departments offer a wide range of individual and family activities that are very affordable, while still providing high quality instruction. Activities range from art programs to canoeing to dancing to stand up paddle boarding to yoga to nature education programs and many more. Parks and Recreation Departments also maintain recreation facilities for public use such as swimming pools, spray grounds, water parks, fitness facilities, greenways, and athletic fields as well as playgrounds. Many of these facilities are free or low cost. Along the same lines, state and federal parks are great for day or weekend visits at minimal costs. They provide both the facility as well as trained staff for activities such as horseback riding, water sports, nature programs, and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. They are a great way of exploring local and regional history as well. Many have campgrounds and cabins for overnight adventures. There is probably a state park within a few hours drive of home and a national park within a one day drive. Attend regional festivals and special events. Many of these are sponsored by local businesses and coordinated through Parks and Recreation Departments and, as a result, are low cost. Events include July 4th fireworks, Festival in the Park, Strawberry Festival, Arts in the Park, Cultural Festivals, and so on. Many cities will have some type of events just about every weekend during the prime season. Tying in with the park system greenways and bluesways are privately owned rental businesses. Greenways are linear parks that provide well groomed or paved pathways that connect different locations within a city or town thus allowing people to walk or bike without having to be on heavily used roads. Blueways serve the same purpose but utilize waterways such as rivers or canals for human powered boat travel. Most have a concessionaire that provides bikes or boats at reasonable costs to help facilitate this use. Additionally, many medium to large cities have adopted bike share programs in which you rent a bike in one location and then return it to a different location when you're done with your ride. This is a great way to explore your home city from a different perspective and find the out of the ordinary shops and scenery. Libraries, arboretums, zoos, and museums are also a great source for fun and educational activities. Most libraries offer a wide range of literary programs and activities that are educational as well as entertaining. Many museums are free for a walk through visit and offer kids programs and guided tours for a nominal fee. Arboretums and zoos typically are reasonably priced. Of course, there are classic activities such as bowling alleys, putt-putt, roller skating rings, and movies. Add to this trampoline parks and other specialty businesses and you have tons of options. Going during the day and in the middle of the week saves money by taking advantage of off-peak hours and matinees. These are great rainy day activities. What is the best time of year to have a staycation? This is a personal preference. It makes sense to take a staycation during your favorite season if possible. Otherwise, take a staycation when it is needed. However, many towns and cities are geared for a primary tourist season that results in lots of diverse offerings. In the off-season, many programs and activities may not be offered. A benefit of taking your staycation during the off-season may be smaller crowds and more one on one instruction for programs that you enroll in. If there are kids involved, it may be necessary to take a staycation when they are out of school such as over the winter holiday season or during spring or summer break. If the need is to take a break from the kids as well as work, why not take your staycation while they are in school and be home for them in the evening? In evaluating the best cities for staycations, what are the top five indicators? A robust park and recreation system with opportunity for both planned and self-directed activities. Museums, arboretums, and zoos within a reasonable drive. Public transportation to facilitate ease of movement without a car. A greenway system that allows for ease of movement without a car. A well-informed tourism council to help connect you with great activities and events. Methodology

In order to determine the best staycation spots, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across three key dimensions: 1) Recreation, 2) Food & Entertainment and 3) Rest & Relaxation.

We evaluated those dimensions using 36 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for staycationers. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the “Number of Residents” in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

We then calculated the total score for each city based on its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to construct our final ranking.

Recreation – Total Points: 33.33 Public Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Basketball Hoops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Baseball Diamonds per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Hiking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Running Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Walking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Shopping Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Water Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.67 Points) Miles of Bicycle Lanes, Paths & Routes per Square Mile: Half Weight (~1.33 Points) Food & Entertainment – Total Points: 33.33 Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Average Price of Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Nightlife Options per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Museums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Zoos & Aquariums per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Paintball Fields per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Arcades per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Theaters & Concert Halls per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Beer Gardens per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants with 4.5+ Stars: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Diversity of Restaurants: Full Weight (~1.96 Points) Rest & Relaxation – Total Points: 33.33 Cost of House-Cleaning Service: Full Weight (~5.56 Points) Spas & Wellness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points) Massage Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points) Beauty-Salon Costs: Full Weight (~5.56 Points) Public Beaches per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.56 Points) Idealness of Summer Weather: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Cities with the Best & Worst Weather ranking.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, Golf.com, Under Armour, Eventbrite, Numbeo.com, Thumbtack, Trust for Public Land, Alliance for Biking & Walking, TripAdvisor, Yelp, ImproveNet and WalletHub research.

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