Chesapeake ranks on best cities list

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - Chesapeake ranked 21st among the Bloomberg Businessweek list of America's 50 Best Cities.

The publication highlighted Chesapeake's numerous amenities, low unemployment, and quality of life as factors in the ranking.

“We are extremely pleased by this recognition from Bloomberg Businessweek,” said Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff. “This is another opportunity to share with the world what Chesapeake residents already know – that our City is a great place to live, work and raise their families.”

The publication placed special emphasis on the recreational opportunities in Chesapeake, including the city's many parks, highly ranked schools, and great air quality.

The article said, "With nearby amenities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk, not to mention the beauty of the both aptly and not aptly named Great Dismal Swamp, the area offers much recreation."

Virginia Beach was ranked eighth on the list, but no other Hampton Roads cities made the cut.

Raleigh ranked as the best city, and Arlington was named second best.

Data used to compile the rankings came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other sources.