For a while there, when you asked a college grad how things were going, it wasn’t uncommon to hear, “I’m living with my parents and babysitting a lot, which is a job I could do when I was 12. But beyond that, great.” Luckily, the economy is on the upswing, and the likelihood of landing a job that’s in the same field as your degree is promising. Here is a list of the best cities for recent college grads to find their dream job, live affordably and enjoy all the fun things the city has to offer!
Washington, D.C.
Your parents will tell you the #1 reason to live in D.C. is the blossoming of the cherry trees in early spring, but you can get on board with this city too, as it’s second only to New York in its number of entry-level jobs. There are plenty of government job opportunities, but D.C. holds its own in offering careers in business as well. When you’re not on the clock, you can immerse yourself in U.S. history and heritage by taking advantage of the free admission to a number of museums and memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian.
Denver, Colorado
Denver has long been the place to live if you’re looking for a career in the air transportation, telecommunications, aerospace or manufacturing sectors. But in recent years, the Mile High City has earned the nickname “Wall Street of the Rockies” due to its job opportunities for mortgage specialists, securities and commodities brokers, and real estate and mutual fund managers.
Plus, if you’re looking for love, Denver might be the city for you. Thanks to its reasonably priced entertainment and active lifestyle, Denver is ranked among the best cities for dating.
Austin, Texas
For a city that thrives on creativity, look no further. Austin’s economy is as diverse as its residents; major industries here include computer technology, research and development, and engineering, and there are an equal number of entrepreneurs, artists and musicians. It’s home to highly regarded festivals like South by Southwest, a launching pad for new creative content, and Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the U.S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
One of the top reasons Minneapolis is on this list is its affordable housing. The majority of Minneapolis residents spend less than 30 percent of their annual income on housing, leaving them with a hefty entertainment budget to enjoy the Twin Cities’ thriving music scene, professional sporting events, and miles of trails and paths. Minneapolis is no slouch when it comes to cuisine either; last year four local chefs were nominated for the James Beard Award.
Seattle, Washington
Whether it’s a ranking of the best cities in the nation or best job market, Seattle is often seen at the top. This is likely due to its close proximity to mountains and water, its creative and kind community, and the fact that it houses the headquarters of some of the nation’s biggest companies, such as Amazon, Starbucks and Microsoft. In recent years, Seattle has been one of the most thrilling and agonizing cities to be a part of if you’re an NFL fan.
For more information on these cities and many others, be sure to take a look here.