College is a time of experimentation for many new students. Exploring new topics, making new friends, and trying new things are just the tip of the iceberg. Experimentation works great until graduation comes and goes and students find full-time jobs.The fun times are seemingly gone and many struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Recent data from the Zillow, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Redfin has been compiled to determine the best cities for young professionals who want a healthy work-life balance. Using statistics such as walkability, average rent, and unemployment rates, we’ve put together a list of the top ten cities for young professionals in order of work-life balance.
The Midwest takes the top two spots on the list in Des Moines, IA and Madison, WI. Higher wages, lower unemployment rates, thriving night scenes and competitive housing prices are a few of the factors that made these two cities so appealing. The Midwest lays claim to another three cities in the top ten as well.
While cities like Boston and Houston may offer higher pay, the cost of living in the Midwest is exponentially cheaper. The saved money allows young professionals to spend more time with leisure activities while still having enough leftover to max their retirement accounts.
Prefer a coastal cities? Northern California holds a couple cities on the list. San Francisco and Oakland both made the top ten list. Both cities have high walkability scores as well as numerous outdoor activities to keep you moving. If you prefer indoor activities, both cities have multiple professional sports teams for the most avid fans.
In the infographic below from Investment Zen, you’ll find some of the key points of each city. Whether you’re enjoying a baseball game, exploring the ocean, or paying off your student loans with the extra money, you can’t go wrong with these cities.
Via: InvestmentZen.com
