Best Cities for Recent Graduates

By Uloop Guest Writer on October 27, 2016

By: Alex Kimball, Doorsteps

After four years (or more — sorry Mom & Dad) enjoying life within the bubble that is college life, many seniors are confronted with a difficult question as post-graduation life looms: “Where to next?”

For many, the decision is a simple one, as a grad school acceptance letter makes the decision for them. Others will head back to the familiarity of their hometown — nothing wrong with that. If you’re like us, though, the end of college means the start of “real life,” and marks the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone, explore a brand new city, and see what this country’s made of.

Take it from us (we’ve been around the block a time or two), the cities listed here are worth considering as you switch that tassel over, grab your diploma, and strike out on your own.

Photo by Doorsteps

Atlanta

Nicknamed “Hotlanta” primarily for its steamy southern summers, these days the moniker also applies when it comes to the amount of hype Atlanta gets as one of America’s great cities. A young and vibrant city, Atlanta counts a strong local economy, vibrant local arts scene, and affordable rents among the many reasons people move there.

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Atlanta’s burgeoning film industry has taken flight in recent years, attracting many recent grads with an interest in working in TV or film production. Big budget Hollywood productions as well as a strong indie scene mean there’s no shortage of gigs available.

In recent years, Atlanta has also become a hotbed for many startups, attracting many would-be Zuckerbergs who eschew the high rents and high stress of Silicon Valley in favor of the Peachtree City. Namely, Mailchimp, and Yik Yak are just a few well-known tech companies to come out of Atlanta in recent years. With many local incubators, coworking spaces, and a community of enthusiastic and ambitious young people, it’s safe to say those companies won’t be the last.

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Atlanta has something for everyone. Lovers of the great outdoors will enjoy visiting the city’s many great parks and public spaces, including the always entertaining Centennial Olympic Park downtown, or lush and verdant Grant Park, home of Zoo Atlanta.

Cyclists should check out the BeltLine, an ongoing urban renewal project that aims to connect the city’s many neighborhoods and attractions via a bike/walking path. For something a little more up-tempo, check out the many nightlife options Atlanta has to offer: from hole-in-the-wall hipster haunts in East Atlanta Village to the fancy cocktail lounges and fine dining in bougie Buckhead.

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Some of our favorite neighborhoods in the Atlanta area recent graduates might want to consider include Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, and Grant Park. These are among the city’s youngest neighborhoods, with high walkability, great local bars and restaurants, and convenient access to downtown.

Photo by Doorsteps

Minneapolis-St. Paul

One of our favorite Midwest destinations (Midwestinations?), the Twin Cities are a pair of hidden gems. Whether drawn to the clean, modern skyscrapers of Minneapolis, or the quaint, almost European neighborhoods of St. Paul, you’ll be hard pressed to find another major city with more to offer. Newcomers will quickly fall in love with “Minnesota nice,” as locals go out of their way to make their city feel like home no matter where you’re from.

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Recent graduates with an interest in working in corporate America would do well to consider starting their careers in the Twin Cities, home to many Fortune 500 companies including Target, Best Buy, General Mills, 3M, and UnitedHealth. Corporations like these often offer competitive recruitment packages, internship programs, and career advancement incentives to help graduates make the school-to-career transition.

Suit and tie not your thing? You might be surprised to learn Minneapolis-St.Paul is home to a number of ad agencies creating some of the best and most innovative work in the industry. Shops like Periscope, Olson, and McCann hire hundreds of recent graduates every year who are looking for creative careers.

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They don’t call Minnesota “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for nothing; a love of life on the water comes with the territory up here. Kayaking, fishing, boating, and swimming are hallmarks of life outdoors in Minneapolis—at least in the warmer months. Come winter, you’ll want to grab some skates or cross-country skis if fun outdoors is what you crave.

For the rest of us, “MSP” has tons of options for indoor (read: warm) activities to keep you occupied until summer rolls around again. Catch a show at the classic Guthrie Theatre (and a swanky intermission cocktail in the Target Lounge) downtown or cozy up with a warming whiskey drink at The Library Bar beneath Marin Restaurant on Hennepin Avenue.

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Quite possibly the best deal on our entire list, Minneapolis-St. Paul gives renters the most bang for their buck. Newer mid- and high-rises downtown often come with enticing move-in specials, while older, more established apartment communities in St. Louis Park and nearby Edina will offer the most in the way of square footage and outdoor space.

Photo by Doorsteps

Austin

Traditionally a haven for hipster cowboys and Texan troubadours, Austin today is a young and thriving city home to more than 2 million people within the greater metropolitan area. These days, it seems like pretty much every Austinite came from somewhere else originally, and it’s not hard to see why. Austinites love being outdoors, breakfast tacos, live music, and good times in equal measure, and are eager to show off their city to newcomers — as long as you help keep it weird.

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The tech boom of the 1990s helped transform Austin from a Hill Country college town into a major center for technological innovation. Homegrown corporations like Dell and Silicon Laboratories employ large numbers of engineers fresh out of college, while Korean giant Samsung put down roots in Round Rock, just north of Austin, as the headquarters of its U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing.

Newer kids on the block have emerged from Austin’s startup scene, including major players like UShip, HomeAway, and AppSumo. Every year, the tech world converges on Austin for South By Southwest, a tech/music/film festival that takes over downtown for two weeks in March.

Not a coder? Not a problem. Austin has a wealth of career opportunities for the less tech-minded among us. As the capital of Texas, Austin provides a great launching pad for careers in public service and politics. “Green” is big in Austin, too, so expect to find a great number of opportunities to work in renewable energy and for non-profits with an environmental focus.

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You’d expect a city with the motto “Keep It Weird” to know a thing or two about having a good time, and you’d be right. It gets hot in the summer, so cool off at Austin’s favorite swimming pool, Barton Springs, where the spring-fed waters are always a constant — and breathtaking — 68 degrees. Nearby Zilker Park offers acres and acres of green space for picnics, soccer games, kite flying — you name it. Lady Bird Lake runs through downtown and is a great place to rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards if that’s your thing.

Known as the Live Music Capital of the World since the 1980s, Austin is a music lover’s paradise. Sure, yearly festivals SXSW and ACL Festival bring big name acts to the city, but it’s the tucked away stages and iconic venues that make Austin so special. A few of our favorites: Antone’s, Emo’s, Broken Spoke, and Cactus Cafe.

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Austin has seen enormous population growth over the last decade, putting a strain on housing availability and driving rents higher. The gleaming rental towers downtown are going to cost you a pretty penny, but will definitely provide all the modern amenities you could want.

For your money, your best bets for a mix of size, charm, and affordability can be found in the Hyde Park, Bouldin Creek, and East Cesar Chavez neighborhoods.

Photo by Doorsteps

Washington D.C.

Our nation’s capital is a young, energetic, and somewhat transient city brimming with ambitious, career-minded recent graduates. Venture outside The Hill, however, and you’ll find a diverse and vibrant city with many unique neighborhoods and international flavor.

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Public service is king in D.C., whether you’ve got your eyes on a coveted legislative internship or a plum job working at a state agency or commission headquartered in and around Capitol Hill. Got a talent for persuasion, rubbing elbows, and making deals? Consider putting your skills to work as a consultant or lobbyist who advocates on behalf of a specific industry, cause, or organization.

Those with more benevolent intentions should consider joining D.C.’s ranks of young teachers. Teach For America employs around 150 recent graduates in the D.C. region each school year, instructing some 10,000 area children at some of the region’s most in-need schools. It’s challenging, yet potentially life-changing work.

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Work hard. Play hard. When the District’s suit-and-tie crowd lets loose, they do so in a big way. Bars and nightclubs in Dupont Circle bring in the crowds until late at night, while a more mellow vibe can be found in the north-D.C. neighborhoods of Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan. Red Derby is a Doorsteps favorite for its awesome roof deck, table games, and drink specials.

For a good time without all the alcohol, Washington D.C. is of course home to the nation’s most venerable cultural institutions, from national monuments and memorials to fascinating and enlightening galleries and museums. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts plays host to some of the most captivating performances in the country.

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Finding a place to rent in Dupont Circle can be tricky, but if you score a place you’ll enjoy life being in the middle of it all — shops, restaurants, transportation all at your fingertips. To the northeast you’ll find one of D.C.’s best kept secrets in Brookland, a mix of affordability, amenities, and personality just a few Metro stops from downtown D.C.

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