Your bots are spam, our bots are glam Instagram users discover old AI-powered characters, instantly revile them But the social networking giant still has big plans for AI content across its services. Kyle Orland Jan 3, 2025 3:15 pm | 4 The AI character "Liv" introduces herself to the world of Instagram, and the world of Instagram responds in kind. The AI character "Liv" introduces herself to the world of Instagram, and the world of Instagram responds in kind. Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreA little over a year ago, Meta created Facebook and Instagram profiles for "28 AIs with unique interests and personalities for you to interact with and dive deeper into your interests." Today, the last of those profiles is being taken down amid waves of viral revulsion as word of their existence has spread online.The September 2023 launch of Meta's social profiles for AI characters was announced alongside a much splashier initiative that created animated AI chatbots with celebrity avatars at the same time. Those celebrity-based AI chatbots were unceremoniously scrapped less than a year later amid a widespread lack of interest.But roughly a dozen of the unrelated AI character profiles still remained accessible as of this morning via social media pages labeled as "AI managed by Meta." Those profileswhich included a mix of AI-generated imagery and human-created content, according to Metaalso offered real users the ability to live chat with these AI characters via Instagram Direct or Facebook Messenger.Now that we know it exists, we hate it The "Mama Liv" AI-generated character account page, as it appeared on Instagram Friday morning. For the last few months, these profiles have continued to exist in something of a state of benign neglect, with little in the way of new posts and less in the way of organic interest from other Meta users. That started to change last week, though, after Financial Times published a report on Meta's vision for "social media filled with AI-generated users."As Meta VP of Product for Generative AI Connor Hayes told FT, We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do... Theyll have bios and profile pictures and be able to generate and share content powered by AI on the platform. Thats where we see all of this going."The description shares many similarities with the handful of AI-powered character accounts Meta had already launched over a year before. And in the wake of the FT report, some Internet users began to unearth those old accounts and share them as evidence that "Meta is testing, or has started to ship, its AI generated profiles."As word of these zombie AI profiles spread, so did the instant revulsion among many users. One viral Bluesky post called out the awkwardness of an AI-generated character talking about "leading this season's coat drive" complete with a seemingly AI-generated photo of boxes full of "donated" coats. Others shared amusing chats with one of the bots admitting to problematic takes on racial diversity or short circuiting when asked about accused CEO-shooter Luigi Mangione. Still others took issue with the fact that these AI-powered accounts seemed to be the only ones on all of Instagram that couldn't be blocked.everything about this new Meta AI bot is so dystopian but for me the AI-generated images of nonexistent donated coats is up there[image or embed] Alexandra Petri (@petridishes.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 8:58 AMIt was this last complaint that has served as the official reasoning behind Meta beginning to take down the dozen or so extant AI character profiles that were still accessible as of this morning."There is confusion: the recent Financial Times article was about our vision for AI characters existing on our platforms over time, not announcing any new product," Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney told 404 Media. "The accounts referenced are from a test we launched at Connect in 2023. These were managed by humans and were part of an early experiment we did with AI characters. We identified the bug that was impacting the ability for people to block those AIs and are removing those accounts to fix the issue."We wouldn't be shocked if Meta quietly decides not to reinstate these accounts, even after the blocking issue is "fixed." Whatever small bits of increased engagement or generative AI testing data Meta was still receiving from these accounts was almost certainly not worth the overwhelming negative reaction they received as word of their mere existence has spread this morning. It's also a bit odd for Meta to continue to champion its own AI-powered bot accounts after spending years waging a very public war against bot accounts from third-party scammers and spammers (even if Meta's AI bots seem relatively benign in comparison).That said, the recent FT report makes it clear that Meta is not giving up on its vision of letting bespoke AI creations mix with real humans on its social networks. It's not hard to envision a chilling world where these kinds of ersatz accounts are seen as a key way to juice engagement metrics among users who are tired of interacting with real people.This isn't just a near future concern, either. As Katie Notopolous points out on Bluesky, Meta users can already create their own customized chatbots in Facebook Messenger as part of the company's months-old AI Studio initiative.For now, at least, it seems Meta's experiments into AI-generated social media content will continue, regardless of how little interest the user base at large shows.Kyle OrlandSenior Gaming EditorKyle OrlandSenior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 4 Comments

phenomenal cosmic power use Rumors say next-gen RTX 50 GPUs will come with big jumps in power requirements We'll likely find out more about Nvidia's next GPUs at CES next week. Andrew Cunningham Jan 3, 2025 2:04 pm | 71 Nvidia's RTX 4090. Credit: Sam Machkovech Nvidia's RTX 4090. Credit: Sam Machkovech Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreNvidia is reportedly gearing up to launch the first few cards in its RTX 50-series at CES next week, including an RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. The 5090 will be of particular interest to performance-obsessed, money-is-no-object PC gaming fanatics since it's the first new GPU in over two years that can beat the performance of 2022's RTX 4090.But boosted performance and slower advancements in chip manufacturing technology mean that the 5090's maximum power draw will far outstrip the 4090's, according to leakers. VideoCardz reports that the 5090's thermal design power (TDP) will be set at 575 W, up from 450 W for the already power-hungry RTX 4090. The RTX 5080's TDP is also increasing to 360 W, up from 320 W for the RTX 4080 Super.That also puts the RTX 5090 close to the maximum power draw available over a single 12VHPWR connector, which is capable of delivering up to 600 W of power (though once you include the 75 W available via the PCI Express slot on your motherboard, the actual maximum possible power draw for a GPU with a single 12VHPWR connector is a slightly higher 675 W).Higher peak power consumption doesn't necessarily mean that these cards will always draw more power during actual gaming than their 40-series counterparts. And their performance could be good enough that they could still be very efficient cards in terms of performance per watt.But if you're considering an upgrade to an RTX 5090 and these power specs are accurate, you may need to consider an upgraded power supply along with your new graphics card. Nvidia recommends at least an 850 W power supply for the RTX 4090 to accommodate what the GPU needs while leaving enough power left over for the rest of the system. An additional 125 W bump suggests that Nvidia will recommend a 1,000 W power supply as the minimum for the 5090.We'll probably know more about Nvidia's next-gen cards after its CES keynote, currently scheduled for 9:30 pm Eastern/6:30 pm Pacific on Monday, January 6.Andrew CunninghamSenior Technology ReporterAndrew CunninghamSenior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 71 Comments

Health care organizations may soon be subject to new cybersecurity rules. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing an update to the HIPAA Security Rule that would require covered health care entities to bolster their cybersecurity posture.The proposed change comes as breaches continue to wreak havoc in the health care industry. From 2009 to 2023, health care organizations reported 5,887 data breaches involving 500 or more records to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to The HIPAA Journal. A total of 667 health care data breaches occurred in 2024.Melanie Fontes Rainer, OCR director, pointed to the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare as an example of how these breaches are growing and impacting more people.This proposed rule to upgrade the HIPAA Security Rule addresses current and future cybersecurity threats. It would require updates to existing cybersecurity safeguards to reflect advances in technology and cybersecurity, and help ensure that doctors, health plans, and others providing health care meet their obligations to protect the security of individuals protected health information across the nation, Fontes Rainer said in the HHS press release.Proposed RuleThe HIPAA Security Rule, published in 2003, has not been updated since 2013, according to HHS. Covered entities handling electronic protected health information (ePHI) -- including health care providers, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and business associates -- would need to adhere to the updates in the proposed rule.Related:The unpublished version of the rule outlines proposed amendments to the Security Rule. The proposed changes are designed to align with best practices in cybersecurity, such as multifactor authentication, encryption of ePHI, network segmentation, and vulnerability scanning. Under the proposed rule, covered entities would be required to regularly review, test, and update cybersecurity policies and procedures, according to HHS.This rule represents a clear mandate for health care organizations, heightened accountability and an even greater emphasis on robust security protocols, Shawn Hodges, CEO of Revelation Pharma, a national network of compounding pharmacies, tells InformationWeek via email. Compliance will demand an ongoing commitment to quality control, frequent system audits, and advanced data protection measures.From Proposal to PracticeThe proposed rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 6. Stakeholders will be able to share feedback during a 60-day public comment period. New regulations always come with the potential for pushback.Related:One of the things that people will push back on is it really is going to take resources, costs and people to implement a lot of these changes, Brian Arnold, director of legal affairs at managed cybersecurity platform Huntress, tells InformationWeek.Resource constraint is a common concern in the health care industry, particularly for rural health care organizations and smaller providers.Anne Neuberger, the US deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, estimates that the proposed rule would cost $9 billion in its first year and then $6 billion over the following four years, Reuters reports.We faced similar apprehensions when HIPAA was first introduced over two decades ago, says Hodges. At the end of the day, these regulations exist to serve one purpose: protecting patients and their information. Every stakeholder in health care must recognize that this isnt just a regulatory obligation -- its a moral one.The public comment period will cross over into the incoming Trump administration, raising questions about the fate of the proposed rule.Arnold points out that issues like cybersecurity, data privacy, and national security are typically considered more bipartisan than others. On the other hand, the Trump administration has signaled a desire to slash regulations. What that means for HHS and this rule remains to be seen.Related:There is the chance that there won't be a lot of tabling of this rule and maybe embracing it, but I do think it presents the opportunity where there could be some tweaks to it [that] you might not normally have gotten if it was proposed and then adopted under the same administration, says Arnold. I don't expect these to be the final versions of the rules.Critical Infrastructure Under SiegeCritical infrastructure continues to be a target of threat actors, both nation state-backed groups and financially motivated criminal actors. Health care is just one of those targeted sectors that could be subject to new cybersecurity rules.The combination of increasing awareness of the overall vulnerability of critical infrastructure cybersecurity and the increased targeting of [critical infrastructure] by both cybercriminals and nation state threat actors like Volt Typhoon lead me to believe that well see more rule updates like this one in the coming year, says Trey Ford, CISO for the Americas atBugcrowd, a crowdsourced cybersecurity company, in an email interview.While the final version of the proposed changes to HIPAA and a timeline for adoption are uncertain, the threats the new rule aims to address remain a reality in health care.All in all, cybersecurity should be treated as a cornerstone of patient care. Protecting health information is not just an IT task -- its everyones responsibility in health care, says Hodges.

Air-conditioning units, which often use HFC gases, on a building in Shenyang, ChinaVisual China Group via Getty ImagesEmissions of a powerful greenhouse gas released as a byproduct in the manufacture of refrigerants are much higher than reported by governments, suggesting a global agreement to stamp out such emissions is failing.Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, signed in 2016, more than 160 countries said they would do their best to eradicate emissions of HFC-23, a gas with 14,700 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide. Data provided by governments suggest emissions have fallen by more

Travel restrictions were quickly put in place worldwideJIJI PRESS/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThese are the key events of the covid-19 pandemic, from first infections to the end of the emergency:12.12.19: Reports of an unusual pneumonia emerge from Wuhan, China31.12.19: The World Health Organization (WHO) is informed of cases of this pneumonia07.01.20: Public health officials in China identify a novel coronavirus as the cause11.01.20: China reports its first death13.01.20: Thailand reports the first confirmed case outside China20.01.20: The US reports its first case

Jon KrauseIt is hard to tell if a chicken is an optimist. After all, you cant ask it if a glass of water is half full or half empty. But you can repeatedly show it a white card in front of a bowl of tasty mealworms and a black card in front of an empty bowl. Once a chick has learned to reliably choose the white card, you show it a grey card. Chicks that head immediately for this card apparently surmise that it is more white than black, and thus probably contains food the equivalent of deeming a glass half full. On this basis, most chickens do indeed turn out to be optimistic.You can test optimism-like behaviour in many animals and even fine-tune it. European starlings become more optimistic if they can take a bath whenever they want. Bottlenose dolphins show more optimistic behaviour if they have been swimming in synchrony with each other. Bumblebees make more optimistic choices after being given an unexpected sweet treat.These findings might seem eccentric, but the fact that optimism, of a sort, appears in such a wide range of animals suggests that a positive outlook might be important in our own lives and that it is deeply connected to our well-being. In recent years, these and other insights into how a glass-half-full way of thinking can affect our health have begun to help us distinguish different types of optimism. This, in turn, has allowed us to identify types that are good for us, and

Recorded on January 3, 2025Unveiling the 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025Speakers: Amy Nordrum, executive editor, and Charlotte Jee, news editor.Each year, MIT Technology Review publishes an annual list of the top ten breakthrough technologies that will have the greatest impact on how we live and work in the future. This year, the 10 Breakthrough Technologies list was unveiled live by our editors. Hear fromMIT Technology Reviewexecutive editor Amy Nordrum and news editor Charlotte Jee as they share an unveiling of the list of the 10 breakthrough technologies.Related CoverageThe 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 20253 things that didnt make the 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025 listThe 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2024

Growing evidence has linked alcohol to a higher risk of cancer. Can it be part of a healthy diet?The Mediterranean diet and Blue Zones diet, linked to longevity, both include wine in moderation.Wine's role in a healthy diet may be related to factors like stress relief and social connection.Doctors, including the US Surgeon General, are sounding the alarm that drinking alcohol is linked to cancer but some of the longest-living people in the world enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.The Mediterranean diet, based on eating traditions in countries like Spain, Italy, and Turkey, is widely acknowledged as the healthiest way to eat.Along with olive oil and whole grains, it includes wine in moderation Longevity "Blue Zones," areas of the world where people reportedly live longer, healthier lives, are home to rich wine-drinking cultures like Ikaria, Greece and Sardinia, Italy.While some researchers say there are clear benefits of drinking wine including a social outlet and a boost of antioxidants others say there's no safe amount of alcohol.So how come wine features in the healthiest diet? Here's what we know.Can wine be good for you?Some people live into their 90s or past 100 while enjoying wine, beer, or even whiskey.One clear benefit is socializing.Blue Zones are known for being hubs of community and support, and research suggests those strong social bonds contribute to longevity. Drinking wine brings people together, which can relieve stress, reduce loneliness, and positively stimulate the nervous system. Plus, people who eat with friends and family tend to eat more moderately and mindfully.The second factor is sustainability.The healthiest diet is one you'll follow, and dietitians routinely emphasize that an all-or-nothing approach to eating (and drinking) can lead to cycles of restriction and binging, which damages your metabolism.While that's no reason to start drinking, if you don't already, flexible habits make it easier to stick to a healthier lifestyle overall with a little indulgence in things you enjoy.Several studies over the years have found some benefit to drinking in moderation such as lower risk of heart disease and dying early.A 2023 study found light drinking was linked to lower risk of heart attack, especially in people with anxiety, suggesting it may have a benefit for reducing stress.The risks of drinking wine, even in moderationAlcohol is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).International agencies like the World Health Organization have warned that any alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk.Heavy drinking more than four drinks per session for women and five for men, or more than eight to 15 drinks per week can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease, and higher risk of stroke, according to the CDC.Cardiologists, oncologists, and gastroenterologists generally agree that drinking less is one of the biggest ways to reduce your risk of illnesses like heart disease and cancer.Is natural wine better for you?Natural wines are popular in the Mediterranean and Blue Zones like Sardinia, Italy, said researcher Dan Buettner in a 2023 docuseries on longevity.Natural wines carry the same health risks as any alcohol, but they tend to have less sugar, fewer additives, and lower alcohol content.As a result, natural wines may be a healthier drink option, helping to lower the risks associated with too much alcohol and sugar, and may offer more antioxidants than conventional wines.Polyphenols, plant-based compounds found in berries, grapes, and wine, offer benefits such as improved gut health, research suggests. However, wine by itself doesn't contain high enough amounts to back up the benefits seen from some polyphenols like resveratrol in health and longevity studies.How to get the benefits of alcohol without drinkingIf you're interested in cutting down your drinking, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.You can cut back on drinking by limiting the number of drinks you have per day or week and planning alcohol-free days.You could also harness the social benefits of alcohol while drinking alcohol-free alternatives like kombucha or non-alcoholic beer.

BYD doesn't stand for anything officially.The BYD nameplate is associated with the slogan "Build Your Dreams," but that came after the company was formed. picture alliance Wang Chuanfu and a cousin founded BYD in 1995. Then a 29-year-old government researcher, Wang came from a family of rice farmers. He earned a university scholarship and eventually moved to the Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen to start his new company.The "YD" in the name came from Yadi, the village in Shenzhen where the company originally was, one South Korean newspaper reported. The "B" was added later as a promotional tool, the report said. Wang has said in interviews that, taken together, the BYD name doesn't stand for anything in particular.It was only later that Wang derived the slogan "Build Your Dreams." The company has also acquired another nickname: "Bring Your Dollars."The company was originally a cellphone-battery manufacturer.Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao testing a Samsung cellphone in the 1990s. Samsung was one of BYD's earliest customers. Kim Jae-Hwang/AFP via Getty Images The company's original business wasn't cars. It was cellphone batteries. BYD challenged the established Japanese suppliers Toyota and Sony by providing a cheaper alternative. By 2002, companies such as Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung were all using BYD batteries. They started making cars in 2003.A BYD F3DM. Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images BYD moved into the car business after buying Xi'an Tsinchuan, a failing state-owned automaker that was then an arm of the defense contractor Norinco, the South China Morning Post reported.The company launched its first car in 2005. The BYD F3 was a compact sedan that resembled the Toyota Corolla. It sold for as little as 40,000 yuan, or about $5,850. Warren Buffett was a key early booster.Wang Chuanfu welcomed the investors Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates to celebrate the launch of the BYD M6 in 2010. Visual China Group via Getty Images The billionaire investor Warren Buffett was one of the high-profile names who took an interest in BYD early on. Looking to invest in China's booming car market, Buffett toured BYD's headquarters.The Wall Street Journal reported that while the Berkshire Hathaway tycoon was there, Wang took a sip of battery fluid to prove how clean his batteries were. Buffett was so impressed by the experience that he offered to buy 25% of the company.Wang declined that offer, but Buffett was not deterred. Berkshire Hathaway acquired a 10% stake in BYD for $232 million in 2008. Their first electric car drew scorn from Elon Musk.A BYD E6. Stan Honda/AFP via Getty Images The company debuted its first fully electric vehicle, the E6, in 2010. Benefiting from Chinese government subsidies, it was able to compete with its Japanese counterparts.But not everyone was impressed. Tesla CEO Elon Musk laughed in a 2011 interview when asked whether he considered BYD a serious rival to Tesla."Have you seen their car?" he said. "I don't think they make a good product. I don't think it's particularly attractive. The technology is not very strong." BYD's hybrid cars turned it into a titan of Chinese automakers.Chuanfu introduced the BYD Qin in 2012. AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan BYD established itself as one of the top automakers for hybrid vehicles in China in the 2010s. Its most popular offering was the Qin, introduced in 2012, which became one of the best-selling cars in China.That wasn't the only offering that propelled BYD to prominence, however. The company also released the Tang, a hybrid SUV, and partnered with Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz) to make its Denza line. BYD took the EV crown from Tesla briefly.A BYD Atto 3. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters Even though most of its sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 came from the Chinese market, BYD made headlines across the globe when it seemingly did the impossible it unseated Tesla as the world's top seller of electric cars.The Chinese automaker rode the EV wave on the back of its new Seagull, which debuted for 73,000 yuan, or about $10,000, as well as its Song, Qin Plus, Dolphin, Yuan Plus, and Han EVs.Tesla reclaimed the crown in the first quarter of 2024, though both companies saw steep declines in their sales. BYD's Shark takes aim at Tesla's CybertruckThe BYD Shark is supposed to represent an actual shark, according to the launch event. BYD Auto Mxico The Shark, unveiled in May, is the latest model offered by BYD.It's a midsize hybrid pickup truck, and the cabin's design fuses outdoor functionality with modern style and durability.The truck has more than 430 horsepower, or 170 less than Tesla's all-wheel-drive Cybertruc. BYD says it can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers an hour, or about 62 miles an hour, in roughly 5.7 seconds. The vehicle has five seats and a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 kilograms, which is just more than 5,500 pounds. That's about half of the Cybertruck's towing capability.Designed for everyday trips and off-road driving, the Shark has three terrain modes: sand, mud, and snow.It also has built-in features to make camping and off-roading more accessible. The vehicle offers bidirectional charging, according to BYD's site.While the Shark isn't in direct competition with the Cybertruck as a hybrid model that doesn't sell in the US, it may entice EV fans looking for a more traditional pickup design. It's also priced competitively at about $53,451, which is lower than Cybertruck's $60,990 starting price tag. Don't expect to see a BYD car on American roads anytime soon.New BYD cars waiting to be loaded onto a ship in China's Shandong province. Future Publishing For a time, it looked as if we were just a few years away from getting Chinese electric cars in the United States. A BYD executive said as much in 2017, and the company even hired Leonardo DiCaprio as a brand ambassador for English-speaking customers.Since then, BYD has expanded overseas. The Chinese automaker is planning a factory in Mexico alarming US officials and even created its own shipping fleet in a bid to cut down on export costs.But the company says it has abandoned its plans of selling its EVs to Americans. Analysts have pointed to geopolitical tensions and trade barriers between the two countries, as well as the slumping demand for EVs in the United States. BYD is launching a new hybrid powertrain system on two midsize sedans and it can drive 1,250 miles without charging or stopping to fill up for gas.The upgraded powertrains will launch in two sedans for under $14,000. Getty Images BYD is upgrading its hybrid powertrain system.The company announced that the upgraded powertrains will launch in two of sedans, one of which will be the BYD Seal 06, Bloomberg reported. Both models will reportedly be under 100,000 yuan, according to the company.Hybrids make up the majority of BYD vehicles sold, according to a Reuters report. The new upgrade gives them a competitive edge against rivals like Toyota and Volkswagon, which mostly sell fuel-powered vehicles.The powertrain system translates to about 81 miles per gallon at full charge, which is over triple the US fuel economy average for 2022 cars. That's also close to 500 more miles of range than a hybrid 2023 Lexus ES, which was the longest-range hybrid in the Kelley Blue Book's list last year.Additional reporting by Graham Rapier. BYD hit record sales in the fourth quarter of 2024BYD sold 1.76 million battery EVs in 2024. VCG/VCG via Getty Images BYD sold 1.76 million EVS in 2024, according to figures released Wednesday.That total was part of a larger haul of 4.27 million cars sold overall, which includes both hybrid and EV models.In an effort to boost sales in the holiday quarter, Tesla boosted discounts towards the end of the year. However, Tesla sold about 1.79 million cars in 2024, marking its first year-over-year decline.BYD similarly launched a series of discounts toward the end of the year and has grown in popularity with its hybrid models in the last few months. BYD's 2024 sales include a monthly record of over 500,000 EVs and hybrids sold just in December, the company said.

15. Fayetteville, ArkansasFayetteville, Arkansas. Michael Warren/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 113,010Median household income: $70,165Median home price: $281,646Median age: 33 years oldKnown for: Locatedlocal favorites like a deep-fried catfish sandwich. 14. Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia. Bill Dickinson/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 240,938Median household income: $68,814Median home price: $321,874Median age: 36 years oldKnown for: Richmond is a historic city founded in 1737, but that doesn't mean it's old-fashioned. A thriving downtown scene with art galleries, concert halls, and trendy restaurants meld the city's rich history with the modern times, and Richmond's more than 100 local parks offer plenty of outdoor recreation for residents. 13. Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut. f11photo/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 118,273Median household income: $46,377Median home price: $214,546Median age: 36 years oldKnown for: While the population of Hartford skews older than some cities on this list, there's no shortage of buzzy restaurants and corporate offices for those looking to grow their careers in the Connecticut capital. The Bushnell Theater brings Broadway shows to town regularly, and The Mark Twain House and Museum is a popular destination for literary buffs. 12. Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 77,387Median household income: $76,193Median home price: $393,809Median age: 37 years oldKnown for: College football is huge in Greenville, which is home to Clemson University, but there's a thriving art scene, too. Outdoor activities also abound in this Southern city, thanks to multiple hiking and biking trails. 11. San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California. Art Wager/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 1,404,745Median household income: $109,765Median home price: $807,264Median age: 38 years oldKnown for: San Diego residents enjoy outdoor activities, from surfing to boating and volleyball on one of the city's over 80 beaches. The city is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine. 10. Asheville, North CarolinaAsheville, North Carolina. Derek Olson Photography/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.0Population of the metro area: 113,353Median household income: $69,429Median home price: $400,587Median age: 42 years oldKnown for: Set among the Blue Ridge Mountains and defined by a thriving farm-to-table food scene, brewery culture, and a focus on local artisans, Asheville is an easygoing city with a lot to offer people of all ages, whether visiting or putting down roots in this creative Southern city. 9. Boston, MassachusettsBoston, Massachusetts. Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.1Population of the metro area: 673,264Median household income: $95,674Median home price: $744,221Median age: 35 years oldKnown for: One of the most historic cities in the country, Boston offers many exciting cultural activities, including walks along the Freedom Trail and performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra. Fine dining and buzz-worthy restaurants abound, as do historic taverns and bars, and two Boston chefs were nominated for the James Beard Awards in 2024, Eater reported. 8. Virginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach, Virginia. Shutterstock/Ritu Manoj Jethani Quality of life score: 7.1Population of the metro area: 460,069Median household income: $96,805Median home price: $358,477Median age: 39 years oldKnown for: Virginia Beach boasts 38 miles of coastline, offering plenty of activities from swimming to fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing. If you're not outdoorsy, however, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping, museums, and taking in the local cuisine. 7. Portland, MaineBoats docked in Portland, Maine. Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.1Population of the metro area: 68,430Median household income: $77,286Median home price: $449,949Median age: 39 years oldKnown for: Portland, Maine, has quickly become the New England city to watch, thanks to its thriving food scene, plethora of outdoor recreational activities, and exciting music and nightlife scenes. However, the cost of living in Portland is rising steadily, leaving the city at a crossroads of how to create more affordable housing while retaining Portland's small-town feel. 6. Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin. halbergman/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.2Population of the metro area: 269,692Median household income: $79,166Median home price: $367,653Median age: 35 years oldKnown for: As the capital of Wisconsin's Dairyland, Madison has a thriving food scene built off local cheese and breweries. The city's lakes and bike paths also make this city a great place to live in the warmer months. 5. Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh, North Carolina. John_T/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.2Population of the metro area: 469,960Median household income: $87,708Median home price: $382,677Median age: 37 years oldKnown for: Raleigh-Durham is quickly becoming a premier destination for great food and entertainment with a second-tier city feel. Home to some of the state's top universities and colleges, as well as more than 20 craft breweries, shopping centers, and local museums, this region of North Carolina is a great place to lay down roots. 4. Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii. M Swiet Productions/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.4Population of the metro area: 408,930Median household income: $103,096Median home price: $869,639Median age: 45 years oldKnown for: Honolulu is a slice of paradise on Earth with stretches of stunning beaches, fine dining establishments, resorts, a diverse local culture, and shopping destinations. History buffs can also visit sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial. 3. Boise, IdahoBoise, Idaho. Darwin Fan/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.4Population of the metro area: 277,498Median household income: $85,886Median home price: $422,080Median age: 39 years oldKnown for: Boise's stunning natural surroundings are just one reason to move to this up-and-coming city. In addition to more than 180 miles of public trails for hiking, biking, and running, artistically inclined folks can take in a show at one of the city's theaters, while sports fans can root for the Boise State University Broncos. 2. Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, Colorado. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Quality of life score: 7.4Population of the metro area: 122,362Median household income: $97,017Median home price: $854,424Median age: 36 years oldKnown for: Boulder is known for 1. Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan. Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock Quality of life score: 7.7Population of the metro area: 125,664Median household income: $86,628Median home price: $456,578Median age: 34 years oldKnown for: Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor combines a small-town feel with the benefits of a bigger city.According to US News & World Report, more than 90% of Ann Arbor residents live less than a 10-minute walk from a public park, which gives them access to hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. The city's downtown is also a thriving hub for shops and restaurants, as well as craft breweries and distilleries.