Best Places to Live Under 40

According to Rebecca Ryan, a corporate consultant specializing in so-called “Generation X” employees, America’s workforce born between 1960 and 1981 changes jobs, on average, every eighteen to thirty-six months. The reason, believes Ryan, is that Generation X’ers are constantly in search of work places where they can “learn new skills, build their Rolodex and enhance their portfolio.”

Ryan’s “Hot Jobs-Cool Communities” ratings, combined with those of other “experts”, including author Sandra Gurvis’ “30 Great Cities to Start Out In,” has produced this consensus list of cities best suited to men and women in their twenties and thirties.

Alphabetically, the top ten are:

Atlanta, Georgia: Heated growth and a surging job market may finally be cooling, but this “capital of the new south” still boasts a large, vibrant community with a well educated workforce and plenty of activities to occupy one’s leisure time. One of Arthur Anderson/Fortune Magazine’s “Best Cities for Business”, a top fifteen selection on Rebecca Ryan’s “Hot Jobs-Cool Communities” list and one of Sandra Gurvis’ “30 Great Cities to Start Out In”.

Boston, Massachusetts: The self-anointed “hub of the universe” offers a compact mix of distinct neighborhoods dripping with history and rich in culture. Host to a vibrant arts scene, professional sports, world class restaurants and thousands of college and university students who descend on the city each fall, Boston makes the grade on both Gurvis’ and Ryan’s report card of outstanding Gen X cities.

Chicago, Illinois: The locals claim the four seasons here are “winter, winter, winter and the Fourth of July,” but Chicago offers more than just a cold wind off Lake Michigan. One of Fortune Magazine’s “Best Cities for Business” and Gurvis’ “30 Great Cities,” Chicago has grown beyond it’s gangster reputation to become a thriving metropolis of three million, internationally recognized for its “transcendent architecture, world class theater and rabid sportsmanship.”

Denver, Colorado: Always a mecca for young professionals, drawn by this city’s picturesque surroundings and solid business climate, Denver has consistently placed among the best places to live and work in the nation. One of Rebecca Ryan’s top “Hot Jobs-Cool Communities” picks, America’s “Mile High City” offers an abundance of outdoor recreational activities, open spaces, professional sports, two thousand restaurants and all the thin air you can breathe.

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Another of author Sandra Gurvis’ “30 Great Cities,” this vibrant Mid-west community has been surging in population and job growth for several years now. Strong on culture, with a solid economy and outstanding quality of living, Minneapolis continues to be a destination of choice for the under-forty crowd.

New York, New York: New York has it all, from culture to arts to business and everything in between. The events of September 11th only confirmed New York is more than a city– it’s a strong and resilient community made up of many diverse and unique neighborhoods. This one is on everyone’s list of places to be– from Fortune Magazine’s “Best Places for Business” to Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live.”

Portland, Oregon: Moderate climate, spectacular mountains and scenic rivers combine with a diverse business environment to place Portland on both the “Hot Jobs- Cool Communities” and “30 Great Cities” lists. Home prices have heated up in recent years, making Portland less affordable, but the economy remains healthy thanks to a broad manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retail trade base. Like every top-notch city, this one boasts a dynamic range of sports, arts and cultural events.

San Francisco, California: If you’re young enough to dream, and you can afford what you wish for, chances are you’ve thought about a life in San Francisco. One of the great cities of the world, with diverse cultural and ethnic neighborhoods like Pacific Heights, Chinatown and the Mission District, what makes San Francisco expensive is also what makes it great– the California climate (ignore the fog), those scenic views, its vibrant culture, the diverse arts, world-class cuisine… need we go on? Money Magazine agrees, recently placing San Francisco in its top three best places to live and work in America.

Seattle, Washington: “Places Rated Almanac,” “ Hot Jobs-Cool Cities” and “30 Great Cities to Start Out In” all point to Seattle as a destination of choice for young professionals. While the cost of living has continued to rise along with the city’s popularity, Seattle makes it all worthwhile by offering residents a multitude of cultural activities, several professional sports teams, superb cuisine and a nice after-tax “spendable” income to boot. Sure it rains in Seattle, but a mild climate and a gentle Pacific breeze make living here a real pleasure.

Washington, D.C.: Spreading out from the banks of the Potomac, the nation’s capital may be dominated by the federal government, but it still boasts great museums, fine dining, dynamic nightlife, diverse culture and, of course, a wealth of American history. Interestingly, the city skyline is low to the ground – building height restrictions aimed at preventing commerce from overshadowing America’s national monuments makes sure of that. As a top twenty-five selection of “Places Rated Almanac,” Washington, D.C. and its surrounding environs, continues to attract young professionals from across the nation.