Not sure which city to make your home after you graduate? Discover which cities offer the most job openings, great housing, and an overall quality lifestyle.
After graduating college, deciding where to settle down is a tough choice. Clearly you want to end up in a city with great job opportunities that is also an ideal place to start a family. Not sure where to begin? Check out this list of the best places to live for young business professionals.
1. San José, California
CareerBliss.com ranks San José as the number one happiest city for young professionals based on a survey of individuals with less than 10 years of experience in a full-time job. San José workers ranked the highest categories in the survey as “The People You Work With,” and “The Company You Work For”. Clearly, young professionals love their jobs in San José.
2. New York City, New York
With plenty of learning opportunities, decent wages for college grads, and countless events and culture to keep you entertained, New York City is clearly one of the best places to live for young business professionals. Business Insider says NYC is one of the most ideal cities for recent grads as it has a high rate of economic activity which means more job opportunities for young professionals and recent college graduates.
3. Washington, D.C.
With one of the lowest unemployment rates — at just 5.9 percent — Washington D.C. is a wonderful place to head to if you’re still stuck job hunting. Plus, the city boasts the third-best income for college graduates with an average hitting over $62,000.
You can find a great neighborhood for young professionals at Dupont Circle, where you’ll discover beautiful scenery, architecture, and artistic culture. H Street is another popular neighborhood as this “up and coming” area fulfills the needs of young professionals with affordable housing and great nightlife. Plus, Washington comes in as number three on CarrerBliss.com’s list of best cities for young professionals. With plenty of events happening year-round, you can enjoy the city when you’re not working.
4. Houston, Texas
Thanks to many big-name companies and a warm and friendly environment, Houston is an incredible place to start your career. Here you’ll find high average incomes and low unemployment rates. What’s more, the Houston area features some of the lowest rent options as compared to other metro areas in the country.
5. Dallas, Texas
Texas is a spectacular place to live for young professionals. Along with Houston comes Dallas, which boasts a $63,000 median salary for college graduates and a low 6.5 percent unemployment rate. Dallas is also low on the rental scale, with the average individual paying just 17 percent of their income toward their rent. With an international airport, large corporations with plenty of job openings, and plenty of places to find entertainment, Dallas is a great place to start your career.
As a young business professional, finding the right place to live with a quality job market, affordable housing opportunities, and entertainment options is crucial. Start by considering moving to one of the cities on this list.