Newly and soon-to-married couples can improve the chances of marital success in the long term by starting married life off on the right foot, in the right place, according to a new study.
Giving new meaning to “location, location, location”, a study from nationwide storage space marketplace, StorageCafe, analyzed which cities in the United States offer the most hospitable conditions for couples looking for a fresh start in their new lives together.
The best city for newlyweds in the U.S is Arlington, VA, according to the study. In fact, Virginia is home to three of the top 10 cities, with Virginia Beach in the fifth spot and Chesapeake in the seventh spot. California and Arizona also held two cities each in the top 10.
Lincoln, NE was the only midwestern city to crack the top 10.
Conversely, the city that newlyweds want to avoid is Detroit, MI, followed by Cleveland, OH, Memphis, TN, Newark, NJ and Tucson, AZ.
While experts usually emphasize the role of love, commitment and communication for relationship longevity, StorageCafe’s study hones in on some of the more pragmatic, but undeniably valid factors for creating roots together as a couple, including employment prospects, housing affordability and access to lifestyle-enhancing amenities.
The study looked at the largest cities in the U.S. with population of over 200K. Criteria such as access to average incomes, affordable housing and available inventory, utility costs, such as gas and electricity, air quality, recreation and even lifestyle opportunities, such as availability of online couple-oriented activities and restaurants for date night.
The study also looked at the availability and cost of short-term storage in various cities, which is often a necessity for couples merging households, particularly when they are trying to navigate a move onto the property ladder.
Demographics in Arlington demonstrate favorable odds for newlyweds. With 44 percent of the population married and only 9 percent divorced (which is one of the lowest in the country), it seems that Arlington possesses the secret to relationship success.
Notably, Arlington also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country (2.1 percent), an average income of $134,000 that is well above the national average, and good availability of housing stock (0.5 units per person), all of which contribute to possibilities for prosperity.
For many newlyweds, home ownership is a prioritized goal, which is why cities that offer affordable housing, available housing inventory and employment prospects are so appealing, because these typically boost people on to the property ladder, and then support the climb upwards.
And having access to recreation, outdoor activities, culture and entertainment is important for mental health and growth as a couple.
Madhavi Menon, Ph.D., professor of psychology, department of psychology & neuroscience, Nova Southeastern University, explains that location, while a secondary factor, does figure into the ability for a couple to grow roots and build a solid relationship.
“A successful marriage is one where there is a true partnership between the couple, and this can be fostered by prioritizing open communication, mutual respect, commitment, and appreciation for each other. I believe that if these building blocks are in place, the actual city or area in which a couple lives is less important as it has a more distal macrosystemic influence,” says Menon.
“While location may not directly influence or affect the marriage, it does have a more indirect effect. Safety, community resources, and economic/occupational and recreational opportunities can all help create an environment that is supportive of young families,” she says.
This story originally appeared on sister site Builderonline.com.
