Moving to a new city can be pretty awesome—and kind of overwhelming. So we created this guide to make things easy. We’ve chosen the top up-and-coming cities for 2016 based on cost of living, future career opportunities, and overall lifestyle. You pack the bags; we’ll show you the way. Start with a city below.
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Three Must Do’s:
Have a bite at one of the restaurants in the cool Highland Neighborhood. Kick around the City Park--home to the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science. Chill out with the Brooklyn coffee shop vibe at Fig & Olive.
With so much to do in the Denver Metropolitan area, you’ll never be bored.
Denver is home to world-class music venues, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Cervantes' Masterpiece, and The Bluebird. Electronic Dance Music fans will enjoy Beta Nightclub, rated the #1 club in North America in 2013, and nearby venue The Church. The summer Film on the Rocks series plays classic movies such as “The Goonies,” and “Back to the Future.”
The city hosts a growing culinary scene and one of the best microbrewery communities in the nation. Younger crowds enjoy restaurants like Linger, a former mortuary turned foodie-paradise; Green Russell, an underground speakeasy style bar off a downtown alley; and Watercourse Foods, a vegetarian restaurant in the trendy Uptown neighborhood.
Favorite family attractions include the Highland neighborhood, with its kid-friendly restaurants on Tennyson Street, and City Park--which is home to the Denver Zoo, the Museum of Nature and Science, and Jazz in the Park.
Take a short drive to major ski resorts, rivers, and mountain communities. Or, in the metro area, enjoy an extensive network of trails and paved paths. Outdoor adventure seekers shouldn’t miss the Denver Cruiser Ride, a popular weekly bike party with food trucks, live bands, and DJs.
Key companies located in Denver
Ranked fifth for new job postings per capita
3,200 new businesses in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area
Thanks to a great job market, millennials are migrating to the Mile High City.
Cost vs Chicago >
Living in Denver is more affordable than other big cities in both the eastern and western United States.New construction boom is expected to ease rising rental costs.
Denver is an awesome place. Known for the nearby Rocky Mountains, the Mile-High city is no stranger to outdoor enthusiasts looking for prime skiing, camping, hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. A thriving job market and a wonderful lifestyle doesn’t hurt either. Check out what Denver’s all about. +
Three Must Do’s: v
Pop over to Porcupine Pub & Grill for a great aprés-ski chicken noodle soup. Slurp a pint at The Beer Hive, a mecca for swills for after the slopes. Head to the upstairs deck at The Green Pig to drink beers and catch some tunes.
Whatever your idea of fun is, you can find it in Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake City Arts Council has poured funds into a summer Twilight Concert series in Pioneer Park. Tickets are only $5, and recent years have featured big names, like Death Cab for Cutie.
The Avenues neighborhood is home to trendy restaurants, including farm-to-table restaurant and cocktail bar Avenues Proper. Nearby, vegetarians and vegans can find plenty of options at Sage's Cafe.
With plenty of bars and after-dark activities, there’s always something going on in Salt Lake. Desert Edge Brewing and EPIC Brewing Company are top stops in the city’s growing craft beer scene.
Hot, dry summers. Cold, snowy winters. Salt Lake City is a mecca for outdoor recreation. Everything from hiking and cycling to fishing and birdwatching in nearby canyons—not to mention the world-class skiing—can be found here.
Salt Lake City unemployment rate: 2.9%
Second highest job postings per residents in the nation
61 job postings per 1,000 residents
Highest number of job openings in the country
The Salt Lake region is a beacon for job seekers.
Fuel, housing, food, and entertainment are cheaper in Salt Lake City than in large West Coast cities.
Salt Lake City, located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, is home to 2.4 million people. The city sits on the edge of the Great Salt Lake and is only a short drive from several ski resorts (including Park City). And it’s gorgeous. Take a look at what the city has to offer.
Float around in cold water pool, Barton Springs. Walk around Austin’s hip Downtown. Have killer bbq at Franklin Barbecue.
Austin is home to great weather, outdoor activities, and a vibrant social scene for both new graduates and mid-career professionals.
Austin has gained fame thanks to great music, movie, and technology festivals, like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. As well as emerging events including independent music festival Levitation and the comedy-focused Austin Sketch Fest.
Austin’s weather is good for cycling, swimming in the area's 50 public pools, and enjoying many other outdoor activities along the numerous greenbelts that run through the city. On hot days, Barton Springs, a natural cold-water pool is just a 15-minute drive from downtown.
Key Companies Located in Austin
3.1% unemployment rate Lower than pre-recession levels Has held for the last 7 years
Ranked 6th for number of job postings per capita
Austin has become a huge technology hub for both growing startups and established businesses.
Texas is affordable. And Austin definitely fits the bill. Texas is one of only 7 states with no state income tax
Austin is so hot right now (and we’re not just talking about the weather). Let’s take a look at what makes Austin so unique, and why professionals are flocking to this southern spot.
Grab a brew at Raleigh Beer Garden, a world record-holder for most number of beers on tap. Check out the Warehouse District for a take on Asian Fusion at Five Star Restaurant. Explore the Downtown district’s bar scene after the sun goes down.
About two-thirds of the homes in Raleigh are occupied by families. However, downtown and other districts offer amenities that are great for singles, too. .
Older buildings and neighborhoods have been revived with new restaurants, bars, and galleries that give off a big city vibe, but retain small-town charm. Late night basement lounge Neptune's Parlour, for example, has gained a hipster reputation thanks to its combination of vintage arcade games, complex cocktails, local craft beer, and late-night 80s dance parties.
From new craft breweries to food trucks, the eating scene in Raleigh/Durham is a great lifestyle addition. For obvious reasons. And if you happen to work in Research Triangle Park, you’ll have a chance to enjoy a rotating assortment of top-notch food trucks, without having to venture far from the office.
Nearby suburbs Cary and Morrisville offer family friendly attractions, including parks and Marbles Kids Museum, which features Moneypalooza, a personal finance exhibit.
The area is home to many rivers and lakes, some with man-made beaches. So whether you want to swim, fish, or kayak, you’ll have lots of options within a short drive.
Environmental Science
Pharmaceuticals
Chemicals
Biotechnology
Telecommunications
Microelectronics
In 1960, local technology leaders stepped up and founded Research Triangle Park, now home to 200 businesses and 50,000 jobs in the following sectors:
Not long ago, Raleigh had an economy primarily based in agriculture. Jobs were few and far between, and graduates from nearby colleges usually left the city to find work. The city now ranks third in job postings per capita in the country. .
Compared to other large urban East Coast hubs, Raleigh is very affordable.
Raleigh is part of a district known to locals as The Triangle—an area including nearby Durham and Chapel Hill. And its tech scene is booming. Let’s take a look at what makes Raleigh so liveable.