To those of you who are graduating in December: Congratulations! Welcome to the real world. Although financial struggles and grim job prospects can be the norm for recent graduates, the good news is that you’ve survived and conquered some of the best years of your life. Needless to say, post-grad life is not going to be easy. But don’t fret–at some point, you’re going to strike off on your own and when the time comes you should know where are the best places to go. Her Campus UPR has got your back with a list of 5 cities to launch your life and your career as a recent graduate.
1. Washington D.C.
According to CareerBliss, an online career portal, Washington D.C. is the third happiest place for young professionals. It’s not just the happy hours, monuments by moonlight or the fast-paced ambiance, it’s more about the look and feel of the city life what makes DC the place to be. A report published by the website showed that the work-life balance, relationship with bosses and other co-workers alike were extremely healthy which made the level of happiness rise for students out of college. Life in the District is not at all cheap, but if you land a good job with opportunities to grow, this is definitely a city with great potential!
Mean annual income: $62,900
Median rent: $1,600
Unemployment rate: 5.2%
2. San Francisco, California
Besides being the cradle for gay rights, San Francisco has many things to offer including a great social scene and some of the U.S.’s most-walkable neighborhoods. Although, SF has been accused of having high-cost living, the vibrant city is a top spot for young professionals to start out. With a 3.93 score on the Happiest Cities for Young Professionals list, and number 10 rank on the NerdWallet’s Best Cities for Fresh College Graduates, SF has become a key venue for all kinds of people. Besides, this California metropolis is home to several major corporations and universities, including Apple, Intel, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, HP, Yahoo!, IBM, Stanford University, SFU and many more!
Mean annual income: $72,947
Median rent: $2,795
Unemployment rate: 5.4%
3. Austin, Texas
Located in central Texas, Austin has swept away many recent graduates due to its amazing lifestyle: low-cost living and a low unemployment rate are just two of the many things that this place has to offer. It’s considered the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation and ranked number 8 in Best Cities for Fresh College Graduates. They don’t call it the music capital of the U.S. for no reason. Check and see for yourself why this city shines bright and steals many young adult’s hearts.
Mean annual income: $31,170
Median rent: $968
Unemployment rate: 5.5%
4. New York City
Talk about lifestyle! Amenities such as bars, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment: you name it, The Big Apple has you covered. Although it’s an exciting city, that seriously never sleeps, you might want to consider weighing in the cost of living in New York City. If you’re looking for an entry-level job or a more secure position, finding it in New York can be kind of a hassle. According to ABC’s Top 10 Cities for Newly College Grads, New York City was ranked number 1 but they did not take into account the prices of either rent or job availability. If you are lucky enough to land a job before-hand, go for it! If not, you may want to reconsider before taking the big leap.
Mean annual income: $51,017
Median rent: $3,017
Unemployment rate: 7.3%
5. Chicago
Gusty weather year-round, moderate living costs and thousands of young professionals moving around town are some of the perks of choosing Chi-town, Illinois, as your living destination. Among its many wonders, Chicago mesmerizes the recent graduates with its walkable city lay-out and social scene. Ranked number 9 on the Best Cities for Fresh College Graduates list!
Mean annual income: $46,877
Median rent: $1,200
Unemployment rate: 9.1%
*Photo Cred:
washingtondc.thescoutguide.com
www.huffingtonpost.com
www.johnrrogers.com
www.starlinkaviation.com
www.gatesman.com