The Best Cities For Twenty-Somethings To Live

Life as a twenty-something can be really difficult, trying to find a career, a significant other, and steady friends can be really hard. On top of that we are trying to navigate life as a newly found adult, one of the best way to help with these difficulties is finding the right city for you. These cities offer great opportunities in jobs, social life and overall happiness.

1. New York City

Ever since Friends came on the air, every person has had a secret fantasy to be a twenty something living in New York with their best friends. Although the affordability and cost of living of this city are incredibly high, it’s still a great place for twenty something to experience city life. There are countless job opportunities here, with basically every corporation having a headquarters here, it’s a great way to launch yourself into the business realm. They also have countless jobs for those in the arts professions, acting, dancing, fashion this is the city everyone dreams of making it in. You may have to pick up another job to help pay your incredibly high rent, but the opportunities are endless. If there’s ever a major city I’m moving to, it’s New York to live my best Rachel Green life.

2. Chicago

Like New York this will give you a really good feel for what true big city life is like. This is much lower on the cost of living side compared to most other major US cities, but will still give you the feel of life in that city. When I went to Chicago I was nervous because I was going with all girls but never once did I feel unsafe while we were in the city. We were bar hopping until really late hours of the night and never felt unsafe walking around the city. It was actually a really mystical experience being up so late walking around at night and seeing so many other people doing the same thing. New York isn’t the only city that never sleeps.

With several fortune 5oo companies being based in Chicago, you can start off a career here and work your way up. The night life here is similar to that of New York, with bars open well past four in the morning, you and your new friends will be able to keep busy all weekend long. Just make sure if you make the move to this city, you’re ready for some brutally cold days come winter time.

3. Columbus

Columbus is a great starter city for someone who doesn’t want a huge city feel but the opportunities of one. They also have a much lower cost of living, so you can actually accumulate a savings account. Several major retailers, including DSW and Victoria’s Secret have their headquarters in Columbus, so you don’t need to move to New York to have a career in fashion. They also are the home of Honda, Nationwide and Kroger; with all these major companies the options are endless. Columbus is also home to Ohio State University so the night life here is more of a frat boy atmosphere than the big cities, but if you like more of a hometown feel but still want to be able to grow in business Columbus may be the answer for you.

4. Austin

Austin is perfect for someone who wants city life but with a country feel. You get the perks of living in a major city but aren’t too far from a more country life style and comfort food. They also have endless options for those in the technology field. This city has a reasonable cost of living compared to any other warmer climate major cities. (Basically every single city in California.) Nightlife here reflects most any kind of Texas city, a mix of country bars and restaurants intertwined with many other eateries and bars. You get the best of city and country with this city while having a great opportunities.

5. Denver

Denver is the city for people who don’t want to live traditional city life but also aren’t cut out for country life. This is perfect for the person who still wants to be able to hike and enjoy the outdoors but still wants all four seasons. The list of major companies that have headquarters there is endless. The employment rate of millennials here is much higher than most cities so it’s a great city to move to start out a career. They have numerous options for public transportation and are really big into greener ways of traveling. This city is very advanced and progressive and fits well with the mindset of twenty somethings.

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6. Boston

Boston is seriously so cute, when I went there I kept yelling “So Boston” because everything I saw was exactly as I had imagined Boston to be and it would be such a fun and cute place to live. Although this is one of the most expensive cities as far as cost of living goes, it also is a great city for someone wanting a true city life feel. It’s a city with loads of history (hello, Boston Tea Party) so if you’re into history and old buildings this is a gapped fit for you. They also have endless opportunities for jobs from manufactures, medical, and culinary to business, this city has it all. If you’ve ever wanted a city feel but to live on the Harbor, this is the option for you. If you’re looking for one of the best cities to live in that has job opportunities, amazing food, variety in night and city life, Boston is for you.

7. Cincinnati

Another Ohio city but worth its own mention. Cincinnati has beyond reasonable cost of living expenses, and the city itself is really developing in many areas. In the past few years it’s been on several lists to travel to, but even better than that, is living here. With Proctor and Gamble, Macy’s and Kroger all housing headquarters here, room for development and growth are endless. Cincinnati is also really big into the arts so it’s a great place for artists to start out making it one of the best cities for twenty-somethings to live. Cincinnati is up and coming so get ahead of everyone else and move to Cincinnati.