Choosing a place to call home for the long-term is never easy, especially when you are just beginning to sink your teeth into your chosen career field.
The cost of living in famous career outposts like the Big Apple or LA has continued to increase annually, becoming much less attractive to young professionals who are looking for a paycheck that does more than just 'getting by' and rent money.
Young professionals, like you, are on the hunt for a balanced lifestyle. It's time to look to other cities around the United States for the total package: exciting culture and entertainment, reasonable housing costs, favorable climate and job growth for the future.
Sound impossible? It's not as far-fetched as you might think.
5.) Las Vegas, NVSurprisingly, Las Vegas isn't found on many of the recent lists of popular places for millennials to settle down. However, Sin City lands here at number five. Not only is it not as 'sinful' as it's usually portrayed in the media, but its housing market also ranks fourth in the country for first-time homebuyers.
That same market has a whole list of options for millennials looking for their dream home to begin building their lifestyle: whether it's a condo, independent home or community. You can search home listing databases specifically for the Las Vegas area tailored to help you find the dream home that meets all of your criteria for work and play.
4.) Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon snags the number four spot on this list, with exceptional ratings for the city's culture and art scene, as well as food and entertainment.
Having a hipster vibe, Portland appeals to millennials largely because of its non-traditional approach to business growth and development.
3.) Denver, CO
With a reputation for its laid-back environment and a low unemployment rate, Denver also has great access to entertainment and a rich variety of food choices that won't break the bank.
Whether you're a young millennial looking for adventures in downtown, or one in your early 30s looking to start a family, Denver ranks high for overall quality of life.
2.) Seattle, WA
Number two on the list can also be found in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle ranks high on several different lists out there, mainly for its accessibility/walkability and vibrant nightlife. It has also been labeled as the place of the newest 'tech boom' in the country.
This attracts young, talented professionals to the city for work - and also creates the most affordable west-coast metropolis for a large millennial population.
1.) Austin, TXBy far the most popular of all the cities found among millennial-living lists is this urban anomaly found in the heart of the Lone Star State. Austin, Texas is the capital of live music. It offers great professional opportunities, a better than average unemployment rate at around 3% and an alluring environment for young tech startups. It also has affordable rent rates and southern weather that makes winter a bit more bearable.
Sometimes called the best millennial city in the U.S., it does make an appealing argument as the total-package city for young people.
Don't see the city you're looking for or one that appeals to you? Check out other lists like Vocativ's 35 best cities for under 35ers. Do some research, and you'll find there are many options to consider when it comes to settling down.
