Visit a "cozy" city this winter and spring

Top 10 Coziest American cities:

1. Boston, Massachusetts

2. San Francisco, California

3. Seattle, Washington

4. Albany, New York

5. Portland, Oregon

6. Rochester, New York

7. Minneapolis, Minnesota

8. Sacramento, California

9. Denver, Colorado

10. Salt Lake City, Utah

Honeywell has compiled its fourth annual list of the country's coziest cities. I like this list because I'm from #2 and have spent a lot of time in numbers 1 and 5.

But beyond that, I like the notion of visiting a "cozy" city about now. Whatever your politics, everyone can agree that the populus is stressed. If ever there was a time to cozy up in a blanket before a roaring fire, this would be it.

For the fourth consecutive year, the marketers of Honeywell Heaters and environmental researchers have set out to define coziness and have shared the list of cities that embody this quality. Last year's list placed Asheville, NC at the top spot, Boston at numero dos, and Salinas, Calif. third.

“A lot of consideration went into determining how the definition of coziness is evolving. For some, a small town nestled in the mountains might be cozy, whereas to others, a city with historic architecture and quaint, winding streets may also be cozy. Central to these themes is the ability to find refuge from winter with warmth and creature comforts,” said Dr. Ted Myatt, an environmental scientist who partnered with the marketers of Honeywell Heaters to help determine the list.

“This year, we looked at cities located within close proximity to ski resorts and also urban centers with a higher number of tiny homes, both of which could be associated with cozy environments. For consistency with years past, we also looked at the number of specialty stores per capita in each city including coffee shops, bakeries, bed and breakfasts, and independent grocers.

Now, this will sound like a plug but it's true: I have had at least three Honeywell heaters over the years and I'm never sorry I bought one. Living in New England can be brutal, and I've found that a heater is useful many times - from jumping out of the shower to using in a separate room that might not get as much heat. So enjoy your cozy cities - hop a flight, take a train, or if you are lucky, just roll over in bed, Boston.

Photos: top to bottom - top 2 Boston; bottom 2 San Francisco. All by Laurie Wiegler