Forbes.com recently ranked the most livable cities based on the last five years of income growth, current unemployment rates and cost of living, crime rates and arts and culture ratings, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Moody’s Economy.com, the FBI Crime Report and Sperling’s Best Places.

We love this idea because we know that real estate is one of the most important factors in a town’s livability! According to the ranking, Pittsburgh is the No. 1 “most livable” city in America. Knowing that’s its more than just numbers that make Pittsburgh such a livable city, we reached out to George Hackett, the president of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services, for his perspective.

“Pittsburgh continues to enjoy a remarkable renaissance that has seen it emerge from its steel mill roots into a vibrant, world class city known for its restaurants, nightlife, family friendly neighborhoods and stable and affordable housing prices,” Hackett said. “Surrounded by scenic views and three rivers, recreational activities are plentiful and combined with the art centers, museums and renowned colleges and universities, Pittsburgh is truly a unique and extraordinary place to live.”

I had never been to Pittsburgh until this past year and was impressed with what the city had to offer. Of course I knew about their top notch colleges, great sports teams (more so Steelers and Penguins than Pirates), but it’s also a great town for the arts and business. And if you’re ever in Pittsburgh, I highly recommend a pit stop at a local Primanti Brothers for a burger (worth the trip!).

In addition to Pittsburgh, some other great towns are included in the Forbes list of most livable cities and all of them have a local Coldwell Banker agent in the area to help you make a more “livable” move.

Picture courtesy of Flickr user daveynin