District of Columbia (D.C.) used to be a separate state of US. It still is, but now the state is merged with the city, and this is why the capital of the United States is rather known as Washington DC. This may also avoid confusion with the state of Washington, in the Northwest. The Washington Metropolitan Area is situated just between the states of Virginia and Maryland. Many easily recognizable American symbols are located here: the White House, the Capitol, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

The city of Washington D.C. is frequently mentioned in “best city” surveys, based on different criteria. All worldwide and regional surveys where Washington D.C. appears in the rankings presented on this site are listed below. Continue reading »

San Francisco is situated in the Bay Area, a very populated zone in Northern California. With the Pacific Ocean to the west, the remarcable Golden Gate to the north, and San Francisco Bay to the east, San Francisco is a very popular international tourist destination, also known for its diverse and cosmopolitan population. The city is close to the Silicon Valley, the famous Berkeley and Stanford universities, the Alcatraz Island and other landmarks.

The city of San Francisco is frequently mentioned in “best city” surveys, based on different criteria. All worldwide and regional surveys where San Francisco appears in the rankings presented on this site are listed below. Continue reading »

According to The Scientist Magazine, UCSF’s J. David Gladstone Institutes is the best US academic institution to work for in 2008. The San Francisco university is immediately followed by Princeton University and the Trudeau Institute.

Some researchers are already feeling the pinch, with budget crises looming at many institutions. But thankfully, a few organizations are finding interim funding solutions. For many scientists, feeling good about their workplace isn’t only about funding and support, but it’s also about giving back to the community. Continue reading »

According to City Data, New York was the biggest city in the United States, in terms of housing and population, in 2006. It was followed by Los Angeles (California) - with almost four million people - and Chicago (Illinois) - with almost three million.

The rankings show an uneven distribution across North America. New York is by far the most populated city in the United States. With over eight million people, the city  attracts more than the double of the people looking for a home in any other part of the country. Continue reading »

According to September 2008 data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lower unemployment rates in the United States can be found in Bismarck (North Dakota). The following US cities not very affected by the recession are Casper (Wyoming), Logan (Utah) and Sioux Falls (South Dakota). All of these cities registered some of the lowest unemployment rates in September 2008, at only 2.5%.

So if you are looking to find a job during these troubled times, you can avoid the largest cities and try finding something in smaller areas. Unemployment rates were higher in most metropolitan areas surveyed. More than 90% of cities have seen an increase in their unemployment rates. The national unemployment rate in September 2008 was 6%, up 1.5% from September 2007. Continue reading »