Various cities are cited as the 'best for young professionals,' but some locations make almost every list
Monday, August 13, 2012
Forbes, The Atlantic, Kiplinger and The Huffington Post all cite various 'top cities for young professionals,' but a few cities seem to make everyone's list - and those cities aren't New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Chicago.
The consensus seems to be that Austin is the top location for young adults. Nearly 40 percent of Austin residents are have college degrees, giving Austin an edge over other cities when businesses are considering locations for their headquarters or corporate housing options. Austin isn't all work and no play, however. A vibrant music scene and young population make Austin a hip and diverse city.
Boston makes most lists as well, mainly for its low unemployment rate and high percentage of highly educated individuals. Though Boston's cost of living is high (119.5 on a scale of 100), salaries are high to match.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, also known as the Twin Cities, are an incredible value for a city lifestyle. While the area almost matches the national cost of living average, the unemployment rate comes in below the national average.
Smaller cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin, also make most lists, proving that college towns and mid-sized cities appear to be the most attractive areas for young professionals.