10 Great Cities for Young Adults
 

This may be a re to the post, but it does seem that Kansas City,MO and it's metro area are always on the top 10 on these forbes and yahoo lists.

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10...ng-adults.html


Free from ties to kids or a mortgage, young adults can settle virtually anywhere they choose. So which place is best for you when the world is your oyster?

Here are 10 cities in the U.S. that offer exceptional opportunities for those starting out in life. We began our search using the criteria we used to select our overall list of Best Cities for the Next Decade: healthy economies fueling new job growth. We fine-tuned our search using other youth-friendly factors such as large percentages of people under 35, cost of living and rental costs, culture, nightlife, and the time you're likely to spend in traffic. Take a look - and tell us what you think.

More from Kiplinger.com

» TOOL: Find The City That’s Best for You

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» How Does Your City Stack Up?



Austin, Texas
Metro population: 1,705,075
Cost-of-living index: 97 (average is 100)
Median monthly rent (includes utilities): $864, nat. average+$819)
Average annual wage: $41,380 (as of 2007)
Unemployment rate: 6.9%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 30%
Top employers: Austin School District, Dell, city and federal government, IBM, Seton Healthcare Network, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, University of Texas at Austin


Austin has the fourth-lowest jobless rate among cities with populations of one million or more. Living costs fall below the national norm. It doesn't hurt that this is the capital of Texas and home to eight colleges and universities, including the University of Texas. Austin's cultural scene is exceptional, with two giant music festivals each year, a vibrant nightlife, and eclectic, up-and-coming neighborhoods, There's certainly more than enough here to keep a recent grad busy.

PROS: Below-average cost of city living, hundreds of bars and music venues for the twenty-something set, reasonable rent

CONS: Long, hot summers, accelerating urban sprawl, limited public transportation (though the average drive will last only 23 minutes)



Charlotte, N.C.
Metro population: 1,745,524
Cost-of-living index: 94
Median monthly rent: $803 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $41,190
Unemployment rate: 10.9%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 21.7%
Top employers: Carolinas Healthcare System, Wells Fargo/Wachovia Corp., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Bank of America, Wal-Mart Stores, Presbyterian Regional Healthcare, Delhaize America

Charlotte has seen explosive growth over the last 20 years, and is now the second-largest banking center in the country (after New York). The city took it on the chin in the 2008-2009 meltdown, but it should offer lots of entry-level jobs for college graduates as the financial sector recovers. Despite the towering new skyscrapers, and a vibrant Uptown district, it's still possible to live comfortably here on a tight budget.

PROS: A cost of living that skews well below the national average, reasonable rents, a bustling downtown still being developed, high-paying advancement opportunities in the financial sector

CONS: Hot, humid summers, smog alerts, high (but falling) crime rates, you'll need a car (average commute lasts 24 minutes)



Chicago, Ill.
Metro population: 9,580,567
Cost-of-living index: 118
Median monthly rent: $861 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $45,119
Unemployment rate: 10.3%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 24.6%
Top employers: City, state and federal government, Chicago Public Schools, Wal-Mart Stores, Advocate Health Care, Walgreen, JP Morgan Chase, Abbott Laboratories, AT&T

Chicago is an exceptional value in big-city living, packing the cultural punch of Manhattan at nearly half the cost. Its lakefront district, with beaches, parks, a zoo and several museums, is a model for other waterfront cities. There are great sports teams, theater companies, and music festivals. And it's the home of the deep-dish pizza. The jobless rate is higher than the national average, but the Windy City's financial sector is thriving and promises more entry-level jobs in the future.

PROS: Low cost of living for a major city, cheap and widely available rentals, an efficient and user-friendly public transportation system, high-paying jobs in business and finance, great nightlife and entertainment venues

CONS: Extreme winter weather, high crime rate, and it's a long car drive to other major cities



Houston, Texas
Metro population: 5,867,489
Cost-of-living index: 91
Median monthly rent: $775 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $41,074
Unemployment rate: 8.3%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 23.9%
Top employers: Wal-Mart Stores, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Administaff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Continental Airlines, Kroger, Exxon Mobil

Like its rival Austin, Houston offers great job prospects and exciting big-city amenities at a price so low, even struggling grads can afford it. Diversity is one of its unsung strengths. More than a million of Houston's inhabitants were born outside of the U.S. H-Town's economy is varied as well: The city has strong energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation and healthcare sectors, and 25 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters here.

PROS: A small-town cost of living in the country's fourth-largest city, rents well below the national average, one of the country's best restaurant scenes, vibrant nightlife, an hour from Gulf Coast beaches

CONS: Oppressive heat and humidity, infamous bumper-to-bumper traffic (the average commute will last 26 minutes), heavy air pollution, a crime rate well above the national average



Kansas City, Mo.
Metro population: 2,067,585
Cost-of-living index: 96.4
Median monthly rent: $697 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $40,950
Unemployment rate: 8.3%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 22.2%

It may not have the big-city buzz of a Chicago or Houston, but KCMO is on its way up. The "Paris of the Plains" is in the midst of a $9 billion downtown development project, which will create a swath of new condos, apartments, offices, bars and restaurants- many of them targeted to young professionals. Unemployment and cost of living are low here as well, and job prospects are promising. Six Fortune 1000 companies call Kansas City home.

PROS: Below-average rents, low cost of living, money and momentum behind future development, innovative jobs in business, research and technology. The average commute is only 21 minutes.

CONS: Mediocre nightlife and limited cultural offerings (at least until the downtown development is finished), high crime rate, poor public transportation (though a light rail is under construction)

Lansing, Mich.
Metro population: 453,603
Cost-of-living index: 100
Median monthly rent: $630 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $41,773
Unemployment rate: 10.2%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 26.9%
Top employers: State government, Michigan State University, Sparrow Health System, General Motors, Lansing Community College, Ingham Regional Medical Center, Lansing School District, Meijer

Home to five medical schools, two law schools and Michigan State University, Michigan's capital is a little-known hotbed for young professionals. Granted, this Great Lakes community can't quite compare to the larger cities on our list in terms of job prospects or things to do. But it has a relatively low cost of living. And its youthful population, downtown renewal projects, and emerging technology sector make Lansing a stand-out in mid-sized cities.

PROS: Cheap rent well below the national average, a respectable bar and club scene, high-paying job opportunities in bio and Internet technologies. Average commute is only 20 minutes.

CONS: Public transportation is unimpressive, extreme winter weather, unemployment rate is a full point above the norm (the opportunities here skew toward the highly-skilled)



New York, N.Y.
Metro population: 19,069,796 (includes Long Island and Northern New Jersey)
Cost-of-living index: 218 (Manhattan), 179 (Brooklyn), 158 (Queens)
Median monthly rent: $1,025 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $50,784
Unemployment rate: 9.4%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 21.9%
Top industries (New York does not release specific employer statistics): General medical and surgical hospitals, individual and family services, restaurants, securities and commodities contracts, legal services

There's no place for recent graduates quite like the Big Apple: the job prospects are exceptional and the culture and nightlife are without parallel. Yes, it's tough to live here. The cost-of-living is the highest in the continental U.S. Conveniences most Americans take for granted don't exist here, like places to park a car. Fortunately, however, there are still areas of the city where young professionals can eke out a living: Brooklyn's Prospect Heights has recently come into vogue, Sunnyside and Long Island City in Queens are youth-friendly, and the money you save on rent in Hoboken will help ease the stigma of being a "B&Ter" (bridge-and-tunneler - someone who works and spends time in Manhattan, but actually lives elsewhere).

PROS: Incomparable job opportunities, an extensive mass transportation system that makes car-owning superfluous and allows young adults to live well outside the city.

CONS: Expensive, sometimes ridiculously so. But hey, if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere.



Portland, Ore.
Metro population: 2,241,841
Cost-of-living index: 110
Median monthly rent: $779 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $43,346
Unemployment rate: 10.2%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 21.9%
Top employers: Intel, Fred Meyer Stores, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health Systems, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the NW, city government, Legacy Health System

A haven for bohemians, punk rockers, aging hippies, techies and other creative souls, Portland is renowned for its progressive, DIY spirit. The city's creative-class profile comes at a price, however, as cost of living is now above average. Nearby Olympia, Wash., a two-hour drive from Portland, may be a reasonable alternative for grads who don't mind sacrificing some street cred - it's a much smaller city, but unemployment and cost of living are lower.

PROS: Below-average rent, a walk-able (or bike-able!) average commute, plenty of microbreweries and hip coffee shops, innovative art and music scenes, no sales tax

CONS: Above-average cost of living, surprisingly high crime rate, notoriously rainy weather, an unemployment rate that skews almost a point above the average



Salt Lake City, Utah
Metro population: 1,130,293
Cost-of-living index: 100
Median monthly rent: $698 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $39,722
Unemployment rate: 7.0%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 28.8%
Top employers: University of Utah, state and county government, Salt Lake City School District, Novus, Delta, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City Corp.

Here's an affordable alternative to trendier Rocky Mountain cities like Denver and Boulder, where job growth, nightlife and climate are similar but living costs are prohibitively high. A year's rent in Boulder will buy a year and a half in SLC - though maybe not in its explosive downtown district, where dozens of luxury condominiums, high-rise office buildings and clusters of shops and restaurants have sprung up since the 2002 Olympic Games.

PROS: Low rents and cost of living, urban development, job opportunities in manufacturing, finance, and technology, nearby ski slopes and cycling trails. The setting is breathtaking.

CONS: Mediocre nightlife, occasional smog, relatively low wages, the average commute requires a car (but takes only 19 minutes)



Washington, D.C.
Metro population: 5,476,241
Cost-of-living index: 139
Median monthly rent: $979 (District of Columbia, average is $819)
Average annual wage: $54,371
Unemployment rate: 6.0%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 27.2%
Top employers: Federal government, McDonald's, Northrop Grumman, Science Applications International, Verizon Communications, Safeway, Ahold USA, Wal-Mart Stores, Macy's, Citigroup

Like New York, D.C. is a place of great opportunity and great cost for young adults. Job creation is constant in the government and government-related sectors. But rents and living costs are quite high. Fortunately, a constant influx of college grads, as well as immigrants, has spawned several off-beat, affordable neighborhoods, such as Adams-Morgan, Chinatown, and Ballston and Shirlington in nearby Arlington, Va. Group homes abound.

PROS: Stable government jobs, extensive public transportation system, a young workforce from all over the nation and the world, up-and-coming neighborhoods, vibrant nightlife

CONS: Hot, humid summers, regular Metro breakdowns and traffic gridlock

A light rail is under construction? Is that true?

Yea....some reportors need to check their facts. I haven't heard anything on that going down yet.

The Paris of the Plains, the Beirut of the Bible Belt.

Apartment rates in Manhattan are absolutely ridiculous. A studio where you can cook eggs on the stove and take a dump in the bathroom at the same time is around $1000 a month. A three bedroom with a view around $14,000 a month.

If you're bored: http://www.manhattanapts.com/rentals/index.php

Being a young, recent college grad I was taking a look at this list the other day as I was curious about other cities that might be more promising for me. I can say I was utterly surprised to see Kansas City on there.

I really don't see what is wrong w/ KC for a young person. I really don't see how Chicago is much better than KC aside for the fact of being bigger and more expensive.

As say for one, far more opportunity to climb the corporate ladder far more quickly.

As Otter pointed out, NYC is extremely expensive but some of those costs are offset by not needing to own a car and pay for car insurance.

If KC ever gets a light rail system, it'll change the city and the perception of the city forever.

They will, however, need to beef up their police force considerably because the crime is already exceeds the national average. If people from the 'burbs park and ride to the P&L or other parts of downtown without worrying about a DUI, the traffic there would increase exponentially, which also opens the door even further to the criminal elements.

Noted without comment:

When watching local news it seems as if most of the crime is on the east side.

What kind of crime would increase if there was more traffic downtown?

I don't live in KC, so I don't know. What I do know is that violent crime in the city of Kansas City, MO is more than the national average per capita according to the FBI. If traffic were to increase even by 25% in the downtown area, I'd expect crime to rise as well because light rail would make it easier for the "criminal element" to get downtown as well.

I would say living IN KC, MO or KS for that matter as a young kid would not be nearly as wonderful a place to grow up as Overland Park, KS or Olathe, KS. Both are fantastic cities. I love KC to death, but I'll live in Olathe, KS thank you very much.

No. A few of the topcats didn't like the plan that residents voted for, so they changed parts of it...that made it go back to a vote. People at the polls either said "I already voted for this, screw it." or "This is never going to happen, screw it." And so here we are with no light rail and the rest of the nation thinks it's going to happen one of these days.

I have no doubts that our crime rate is higher. And downtown travel has increased dramatically downtown over the last 5 years or so because of the condo boom and P&L.

I'm arguing that even as the city has changed the crime has stayed primarily where it's always been. I don't believe that light rail would have much of an affect. Crime works best when you have a get away that doesn't involve standing around waiting for a the next train.

he is just saying that more people generally = more opportunity for problems

Hmm.. I pay rent on par with DC & NY.

And I'm saying that there have been more people down there over the last couple of years and crime hasn't gone up. I've actually heard that it's gone down (nothing to actually back this up though).

Majority of that crime is located in one area of the city. Around Paseo and Troost. I feel safer in downtown Kansas City at night than I do in St. Louis or Dallas or New Orelans.
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they need to take the cops from the cities in johnson county and move them to KCMO. While the crime in KCMO is some of the highest in the country, Lenexa/Shawnee/OP/Leawood/Merriam/etc cops just drive around in circles with nothing more to do than look for high school parties to bust and give speeding tickets to the soccer moms.

spoken like someone who has never left KC.

:LOL:

I lived in Chicago for a year and I grew up in KC...

I would MUCH rather live in KC than Chicago...

KC is so much less expensive and really almost as fun...

KC doesn't have the same sports scene...but at least I don't have to spend $6 for a bottle of Bud Light if I want to go to a downtown bar.

KC isn't even close to the sports scene, cultural offerings, or nightlife afforded in Chicago. Further, Chicago has a much higher number of young people & a higher % of young people.

Seriously?!!?! I wasn't going to comment on cities I haven't been to, but...ok, this will be the only one. And mostly because they put all the reasons against Charlotte, NC right here...a "still being developed" downtown that already takes--on average--24 minutes to reach isn't a pro, it's a con. And bustling? KC bustles, and it's still mediocre at best. I can see Charlotte being on the list for low costs, but it needs to be much lower.


Chicago truly is an amazing city, and I'd say the only reason it takes second to another city--which I guess might be Austin--is the high unemployment rate. Once they get that fixed, it's hands-down top of the deck. The first time I went, another person in my group shouted "It's so cute...like a little New York!"

With or without taking Charlotte out and having KC as a #4 or #5? F*** no! Kansas City still has a lot of work to do before it earns even a middle position on a list like this. And despite how many Blvds and fountains KC has, it's definitely not a Paris...unless, perhaps, you're thinking of Paris, TX. In France, however, the real Paris actually has culture and nightlife, and--if you're good at squeezing through people--it's easy to get from place to place. KC practically sabotages its own nightlife by letting each "new big thing" murder the old big thing in its sleep, which yes, is part of the crappy transportation provided for getting across a place that's spread wider than a hooker's legs. Speaking of which, we throw away a lot of money that could be going toward fixing the problem in much more productive ways. ...And I only rip Kansas City a new one because I care and want it to grow up to be something decent.


Definitely one of the greatest cities on Earth! For this particular list, I'd probably put it right below Chicago because of how da** expensive it is. Still, if you can get a job in New York, you can definitely afford living with a roomie or two while having a decent night/social life. For those who are just good at making money and have amazing social skills--as seen from friends who have moved there--the expensiveness issue disappears, and New York for them is easily #1.


I would agree with Portland's position...especially with how popular the whole MJ thing is with the hipsters who would move there. And no sales tax is simply awesome. Of course, they forgot to mention the overwhelming meth problem, but by now it's about as much of a problem in the Midwest.

I lived in Chicago when I was 22 and 23...

and I've partied in KC (Westport, Power and Lights, Lawrence, etc...) since I've been old enough to drink several times per year...

My friends and I have SO MUCH MORE fun in KC it isn't even funny...

Sure KC is missing a great baseball team like the Cubs where it's just a party every time they play...and an NBA team...and an NHL team...

That sucks...

I agree...

But the "suburbs" of KC are SO MUCH MORE cost efficient to live at AND it doesn't cost an arm and a leg every time you go out to have a good time...

and there are PLENTY of hot girls in the KCMO area...my friends who have only been to Kansas because I take them there always have a blast in KC and we know how to party hard...

BBQ is better than pizza, too

I do find it funny that daFLORIDAman is trying to tell me what Chicago is and what Chicago isn't when I spent two years of my partying life LIVING in Chicago...

I agree.

Not telling you what Chicago is, but your major basis for comparison seems to be cost of living and nightlife scene. I include more variables in my assessment.

They way overrate Houston. That city sucks ass!

Chicago is great in the summertime. The cold ass winters are a dealbreaker for me. It took coming back to KC after being gone for 9 years to realize what a great place it is. I've even considered moving back.

I've been to Chicago many times. I went to school at the University of Iowa. That school is about half Chicago kids. I made at least 5 trips to Chicago, and a couple others after school.

There really isn't much more to do in Kansas City than there isn't in KC except to go to a Bulls game...and Chicago is much more expensive. Sure you give the edge to Chicago in the nightlife but the Power and Light district is a great, great place. KC also has many other good areas to go out in as well. I have fun in Chicago and what it had to offer, but I would never live there for the price. In fact, I had thought about moving to Chicago after college to look for a job and moved here because it's cheaper and offers just about as many things to do.

Wow, this list is BAD... yes, they got it right with Austin.. but after that it's pretty much crap (except for KC)

Charlotte has NOTHING I mean nothing going for it... not too much wrong with it(besides the rednecks) but absolutely NOTHING positive for it... Chicago is overrated... Houston is just plain AWFUL. Lansing??? are you on crack ... anyone here who has been to Lansing .. please give me ONE positive besides the fact that compared to the rest of Michigan it has a higher percentage of hot (yet extremely stupid) college girls... Portland is an AWFUL craphole, full of drugged up street urchins and tatooed strippers... next we have Salt Lake City? wow. I'm speechless and finally we have DC... I kinda like DC but top 10 for young adults? not a freakin chance.

Yep... if you're looking to chase tail and drink beer, I'm sure Chicago is no better or worse than many other cities. But, like you said, as far as entertainment though, whether it's sports, comedy clubs, theater/arts.... KC is not even close.


And if Gino's made a BBQ deep dish pizza.... :drool:

Salt Lake City is awesome if you're into hot blondes that won't **** but give amazing blowjobs

Yeah, and the perception has always been that downtown KC is dangerous, even though it's almost all to the east of downtown... and like jiveturkey said, there are a lot more people living and going downtown these days and it's still fine. I've walked to/from a few apartment complexes that are several blocks from the P&L and I usually park ~5 blocks away so I don't have to pay for parking and deal with stupid pedestrians, and have never had a problem.

that doesn't sound all bad. throw in some good snow skiing and you got yourself a weekend.

i've got several friends(young adults) who have moved to the portland area and absolutely love it.

isn't it great how austin makes every single top 10 list related to american cities in the last 5-10years.

We have friends in Portland that love it as well, but I'm bored after three days.

Please elaborate (unless you're just talking about the open liquor policy at the P&L, then... eh).

I don't get the whole sprawl argument... it's not like it takes forever to get around. I'd hear people in Omaha say something like "it's great, you can get anywhere in Omaha in about 20 minutes" and then say KC has too much sprawl... uh, it really doesn't take more than 20-30 minutes to get anywhere here, either. And as far as a big city like Chicago, you're just substituting the 20-30 minute drive for sitting in a subway for 20-30+ minutes (not including the waiting and walking)... and if you work downtown and live in the suburbs it's probably more like an hour+.

I would not go out "drinking" if I had to drive 20-30 minutes or more home. That's just asking for problems.

In big cities with good to great public transportation (or even great cabs, which the KC metro area does NOT have), it's easy to go out at will without worrying about a DUI or drinking and driving in general.

DC is a great town for young adults. I don't know what the heck you're talking about. Have you spent time there? Please give us you're top 10. I'm guessing it will be Austin, Austin, Austin, and Austin. Followed by 6 more Austins.

True dat. I've been to DC a few times and have had an absolute blast partying there.

Same with Chicago. I never had a dull time in Chicago. Always had some fun times there.

Portland was fun as well. I have a couple of friends who live in the Portland area and despite the many sunless days, they love it. Great pizza joints, great dive bars, lots of little hip places to go.

When I used to live in KC, a group of friends and I used to make an annual weekend trip to St. Louis and party at The Landing. Those were some mighty fun times.

As for KC- I couldn't wait to get out of KC when I was in my 20's. Although I was out nearly every night, I always felt like there was nothing to do there for twenty-somethings and I had that Jack Kerouac-longing-to-leave spirit in me that drove me out west. But Westport was a blast during its heydays. Back then, KC, was a VERY under-rated town for live music. There were a ton of great local live bands that deserved national attention, but were simply denied that vision.

I'm really surprised Denver wasn't listed though. Denver has everything a young adult would want. It is too expensive to live there now though and it seems like everyone and their damn cousins moved to Denver. That city is full of transients from all over. A mecca of different cultures steaming in one giant bouillabaisse. Great bars, great pool halls, and a John Wayne western aura mixed with city decadence and modern technology and amenities.

If I had my choice, I'd go back to KC though. There is just something about KC that makes it such a cool place. Never could quite put my finger on it, but there's a pulse in KC that very few cities can ever match or duplicate. KC doesn't try to be cool. Not like Denver or Chicago or Portland or Austin. KC just is. You can feel it in everyone you meet there. KC just has this quietude about it that makes you want to linger there for awhile, have a tall, cool one, and just hang out until it's all over.

That's what DDs and friends' couches are for...

I love traveling to cities with good public transportation, and not worrying about a car after a night at the bars is great, but as far as the other 6 days a week, I'll take 'daily grind' of KC.... at least until I can afford a lakefront condo in downtown Chicago. :D