When travelers from Seattle come to the desert, Heidi Lamar often thinks one thing: these people look fabulous.
“Our aestheticians are always amazed at how great their skin is,” said the owner of Spa Lamar in Scottsdale, Ariz. Thanks partially to the fact that the skin-damaging sun stays behind Seattle’s clouds much of the year, folks from the Pacific Northwest, she said, “have a natural, youthful glow that makes both men and women beautiful.”
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Perhaps it’s why Seattle natives made the top 10 for good-looking locals, according to Travel + Leisure readers. The annual America’s Favorite Cities survey asks readers to evaluate 35 major metropolitan areas on everything from museums and street food to the friendliness and attractiveness of residents. The survey allows for repeat voting, and some cities turned out the vote more than others.
This year’s results reveal some bold choices in the category for attractive locals. Sun-kissed southern Californians, for instance, got shut out of the top 10, replaced by northern-city locals who often embrace a more hipster aesthetic. The nightclub-ready lookers of Miami and the Big Apple, meanwhile, got pushed aside for the more casual, corn-fed types from the Midwest.
Of course, sex appeal is more than just skin deep. Sonita Lontoh, a tech exec from Silicon Valley, says that she finds people from cities such as Portland, Ore., and Chicago have an earthy magnetism.
“They have an inner confidence that shines," Lontoh said, "You won’t see Barbie-like, Baywatch babes in these cities, but people who are comfortable in their own skins.”
10. Charleston, S.C.
The South Carolina city has long been a hit with readers for its Lowcountry fine dining and King Street shopping and antiques. And the well-coiffed locals return to the good-looking top 10 this year, thanks no doubt to their genteel vibes and long-voweled accents.
But the city need not feel too pricey: it also ranked at the top for its treasure-trove flea markets.
RELATED: See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results >
9. Seattle
Say what you want about rain, but these Washingtonians know the benefits of staying out of the wrinkle-inducing sun. Voters also liked Seattle’s balance of big-city elegance and exercise-loving earthiness.
And whether or not it’s that legendary espresso that quickens your pulse, the city also ranked in the top 10 for romantic getaways.
RELATED: America's Best Cities For Hipsters >
8. Portland, Ore.
This Oregon hub shows that you don’t have to be a conformist to be eye-catching: the hipster capital scored at the top of the survey for colorful people-watching (a good spot is Powell’s downtown flagship bookstore).
Locals also have an attractive confidence, ranking in the top five for being both easygoing and proud of their hometown.
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