For some of us, college is the best four years of our lives, and for others not so much. Regardless, graduating college is a major accomplishment and the road ahead is full of many uncertainties. Life after graduation brings many challenging decisions, one of which being where to start your post-grad life. Some of you may want to stick to your roots and settle down in your hometown or extend your stay in your college town.  However, for those of you who are looking to go elsewhere but aren’t quite set on a location, consider the following best cities for new graduates! 

New York City

It’s no surprise that the Big Apple is a mecca for young professionals entering the work force given its charm and endless opportunities. Living in a city like New York comes with its perks. For starters, there are job opportunities for almost every field in the city, but on the flip side it‘s also extremely competitive. For those of you in your early to late 20s, there’s also a plethora of nightlife options. 

If you want to live out your city fantasy, New York is the place to go. However, something super important to consider before moving to NYC is the cost. The land of opportunity will only take you so far if you can’t afford to pay your rent. The median rent in NYC is about $3625. Although roommates are certainly an option, New York is one of the most expensive cities in the country so if it’s not in your budget you may want to consider a more affordable city like Chicago. 

Austin, Texas 

Austin is arguably one of the best cities in the U.S for college graduates to move to. This is mainly due to the top-tier job market here. Austin is home to the headquarters of some of the biggest tech companies like Apple, Dell, Tesla, among others. If launching your career is #1 on your list for post-grad home, Austin is a city to think about. 

Apart from the career opportunities in Austin, other elements that make it attractive are its affordability, warm weather, live music, and young population.  

The median rent in Austin is about $1500 per month.  

Atlanta, Georgia 

Atlanta, Georgia ranks up there as another one of the best cities for new grads. Between the incredible food scene and wide selection of things to do, Atlanta certainly has its perks.  

But let’s get down to business. Atlanta has a thriving economy and is another affordable city with plenty of job opportunities. The median rent here is about $1560 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.  

Charlotte, North Carolina 

Charlotte is another great city for young professionals looking for a place to spend their 20s. Opposed to the big city vibe of some place like New York, Charlotte is a less hectic option. The city is home to a young population and has tons of fun things to do from museums to live music, and a big art scene.  

Charlotte is also on the more affordable side with a median monthly rent of around $1438 and a median income of about $69,901 for college graduates.  

Seattle, Washington  

If you’re looking for some West Coast representation here it is. Like Austin, Seattle is an elite tech– hub for those of you who seek opportunities in that industry. Additionally, Seattle boasts a beautiful landscape,  cool climate, and a great music and art scene. If you don’t mind the rain, Seattle could be a good option for you.  

Seattle has a median rent of roughly $2196. While it’s a bit pricier than some of the other cities mentioned, it makes up for it with its above average median income of about $77,000.