The Wall Street Journal had an interesting article on Wednesday about "The Next Youth-Magnet Cities." They asked a panel of experts which cities they thought would "emerge as the hottest, hippest destinations for highly mobile, educated workers in their 20s when the U.S. economy gets moving again." Their findings were comprised of large cities, as the youth of today are drawn to the cities with strong economies and 'quirky' cultures.
We here at HotPads knew DC was cool even before Obama was elected, but DC has seen a surge in popularity in the 18-29 age group.
Government jobs, consulting, and international businesses are thriving here, as well as the non-profits.
Mix in the museums, jazz, culture, and DC's status as the power-center of the free world, and it really is a great place to live.
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1 (tied)- Seattle
Tied for first place is another great city on the other coast: Seattle. Seattle has a great culture with rugged outdoors activities, cool music, and a thriving high-tech sector.
With unemployment at the relatively low 7.7%, there are still industries experiencing rapid growth, like biotechnology. Those involved in the music industry and interactive media also find that Seattle is a great place to lay down roots.
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This hidden gem of a city was not as affected by the financial crisis as initially predicted and still maintains its popularity with the younger crowd. Officials claim that its high 10.3% unemployment rate must be taken with a grain of salt, as it also factors in the number of job seekers who still find themselves drawn to the big city.
And it's not just all about Manhattan anymore. The other boroughs are really taking off, most notably Brooklyn. Brooklyn is attracting more and more young people with its vibrant and hip culture, not to mention its more affordable rates.
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4- Portland, OR
Portland is one of those cities that just has the 'coolness factor'. They have the mountains and parks and the laid back culture that goes along with it.
The downtown area is contained by an urban-growth boundary meant to contain suburban sprawl, and the rise of eco-friendly firms and green building appeals to the environmentally conscious.
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5- Austin, TX
Austin, TX is definitely near and dear to the heart of HotPads and definitely a favorite. With the great live music scene, job opportunities, and low cost of living, Austin is attracting more and more of the nation's youth.
Plus, it is the state capital and home to the enormous UT campus... what more could you want?
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