Five Best Cities For College Graduates To Live In

Graduating college is such a nostalgic moment of your life, especially now having to deal with COVID-19 and potentially another virtual graduation. Finding your niche at your college is like finding your first real home away from home, and that can be a tough place to leave. A lot of college graduates happen to go back to their hometown for a little so they can make some money before making the ultimate decision of where you’re off to next. Other graduates know right away where they want to go. And most of the time, this depends on your job. Finding the best cities for college graduates to live in is difficult, and that is why we are here to help! Follow this guide on five of the best cities for college graduates to live in.

1. Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington is one of the best cities for college graduates to live in because of its very low unemployment rate. According to California Movers, Seattle was America’s fastest-growing major city in 2016 and their unemployment rate is less than 3.1%. Compared to other cities, Seattle has a relatively fair cost of living, which makes it even more admirable to college graduates who may be looking to move with no job, or not a high paying job. Most college graduates don’t graduate with a high-paying job in place, and if you do you are lucky, so Seattle could be the place for you if you need an affordable new home. Not to say Seattle is cheap, because no major city is. But it could be a place of opportunity that is more affordable than cities such as Los Angeles, California. 

2. Columbus, Ohio

Aside from its beautiful views, Columbus, Ohio is one of the best cities for college graduates to live in because of its lower cost of living compared to other major cities. Money is one of the biggest factors for college graduates, so obviously it is super important to find a new home away from home that you can actually afford and have fun in. The nightlife in Columbus is supposed to be pretty fun too, but obviously, everything is a bit restricted right now due to COVID-19. According to MindGem.com, Columbus is also a very easy city to navigate around, as it only takes around a half-hour to move from one end of the city to the other. This is a huge factor for people who want to move to a big city but are nervous about finding their way around!

3. Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas is another one of the best cities for college graduates to live in for many different reasons. First off, the weather. How can you go wrong with the beautiful warm weather almost year-round?! My brother lives in Austin, and he too moved there once he graduated college. He has found his time living in Austin to be eventful, but also very relaxing. He says the people are kind, the food is great, but the weather is one of his favorite things. I visited Austin for Christmas this past year, and it was 75 degrees on Christmas Day. A lot lovelier of a Christmas spent there compared to 12 degrees in Massachusetts, but that is just my preference. The warm weather is not for everyone, so if you don’t love it, I definitely would not recommend moving down south. Oh, and did I mention that Matthew McConaughey lives there?! Just another bonus.

4. Washington, D.C.

Ah, Washington, D.C. The city of politics, diversity, and, err, money. Washington, D.C. is another city that can be pricy, but totally worth it. Especially if you are interested in politics. But living in Washington does mean you need to get involved in politics, it’s just an added bonus. Something that does truly attract a lot of college graduates to Washington is the vast amount of things to do. Sure, nightlife is great. But there are also so many great day time activities to do, considering there are tons of national monuments to check out. If you don’t own a car or want to invest in one, living in D.C. is great because it is super easy to get around from place to place via bus or train. No need to buy a car! D.C. is also a highly educated area, so you will likely be around intelligent people. This is a great place to make great connections as a new and recent college graduate! I visited D.C. a few years ago, and the city is absolutely magnificent. If you’re a fan of the four seasons but want to get out of the North, D.C. is for you.

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5. New York City, New York

Now, before I begin, it’s known that New York can be super expensive. That is obviously something that is hard to avoid. But if you save up your money and don’t mind living in a small apartment with some friends, then maybe New York City can happen for you. A lot of people just manifest the lifestyle of being a New Yorker. Walking on Fifth Avenue, taking pictures in Times Square, getting coffee on your way to work in the big apple. The lifestyle in New York is quite unbelievable, but the life portrayed on television and social media isn’t always what you will get. That is something you need to remember. Especially during a pandemic. There is no doubt that New York City is a beautiful place where beautiful dreams can be achieved, but being realistic is also important. Living in New York means working hard and being able to keep up in a busy city. There are countless job opportunities in New York City, which is why so many college graduates are drawn to it.

The best cities for college graduates to live in can be tricky, considering everyone has different preferences, lifestyles, and occupations. What is your ideal city to live in after college? Share in the comments below!

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