Does a Maryland flag don the front of your house? Do bright Calvert and Crossland patterns of the Maryland flag appear on your necktie, car bumper, or scarf? The Maryland flag is fun to show off, but you need more than a cool flag to make a state great.

So here it is: the top five reasons why Maryland is the best state in the U.S.

Good Schools & Smart People

From excellent K-12 public schools, to an incredible workforce, we’re one smart state. In fact, nearly 40 percent of Marylanders hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, ranking third in the nation. And with the highest concentration of STEM professionals among the states, opportunities abound for people in science and technology.

Boredom Doesn’t Stand a Chance

Thousand of miles of shoreline means endless opportunity for water activities—whether it’s soaking up sun in Ocean City, sailing the Chesapeake Bay, or paddling creeks of Western Maryland. And water is only part of the story. Factor in amazing cultural opportunity, a booming brewery industry, and one-of-a-kind cuisine (ahem, blue crabs), and you have a pretty awesome place to live… or at least visit.

It’s a Melting Pot

With several Maryland cities among the most diverse nationally, Maryland is one of the nation’s most robust melting pots. A diverse population brings Marylanders fresh perspectives and amazing cultural experiences. And here, minorities and women have unmatched opportunity in business.

Healthy Incomes & Healthy Habits

High household incomes (exceeding all other states) provide a stable foundation for Marylanders. This means more healthful living and plenty of opportunity to pursue the healthy life…which is easy, thanks to 50 state parks and 18 national parks. And Marylanders who need access to world-class healthcare have it, thanks to leading hospitals like Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Connected to the World

From business day trips to New York or D.C., to weekend jaunts to the mountains or beach, you can do it all from Maryland’s location on the central East Coast. And if you have the itch to get further away, nearby access to four international airports puts the world at your fingertips. There’s a reason why Baltimore was recently named a one of the best “home base cities for travel addicts .”

So while the flag is very cool, it’s only one reason to be enamored with the state. Want to know more about living in Maryland? Check out our five distinct regions.