Travel magazine Travel + Leisure has recognized South Bend amongst its top 10 Most Beautiful and Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. Noting the variety of nearby universities, Travel + Leisure highlighted South Bend’s low cost of living, opportunities for nature seekers, and vicinity to Lake Michigan. Other cities listed included Grand Rapids, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

To determine “the dreamiest places to live in America that won’t break the bank,” Travel + Leisure uses data from U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 rankings that examined the most affordable places to live in the U.S. and the best places to live in the U.S. Alongside naming South Bend as one of the best places to live, U.S. News & World Report highlighted it as one of the best places to retire.

Travel + Leisure is a New York magazine focused on helping readers enjoy life both abroad and at home. It has won numerous journalism awards, including the prestigious Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards in five categories.