The 25 best neighborhoods for young people
With May right around the corner, U.S. college graduates will be migrating to the nation's biggest cities to try to find jobs and apartments and to start life on their own.
Niche Ink, a website dedicated to education analysis, put together a list of the best metro areas for millennials. They ranked the metro areas in the U.S. using a dozen factors, including data from the U.S. Census, FBI crime rates, and Niche Ink user opinions on the best places for life after graduation. They then calculated the best neighborhood for young people in each of those cities. (You can read the full methodology here.)
Keep reading to see the top 25 cities and neighborhoods in the U.S. for millennials.
#25 Ardmore in Atlanta
Ardmore, a residential neighborhood that’s friendly and dog-oriented, is known for its gorgeous park.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $937. The average income is $29,863.
#24 Lake Eola Heights in Orlando, Fla.
Lake Eola Heights is a safe community in downtown Orlando with a selection of condos as well as historic homes.
The median rent in Lake Eola Heights is $1,018 with residents averaging a median income of $25,330; 14% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#23 Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Va.
Shockoe Bottom is east of downtown Richmond along the James River, and it's become a major destination in nightlife, dining, and entertainment.
13% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $921. The average income is $30,324.
#22 Fishers in Indianapolis
Fishers is a suburb of Indianapolis that is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in the U.S. It’s close to a shopping center and a reservoir where people fish and water-ski.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $763. The average income is $28,664.
#21 Midtown in Houston
Midtown is in southwest downtown Houston, with lots of bánh mì restaurants, bars, shopping, and other attractions for young people.
The median rent in Midtown is $860 with residents averaging a median income of $28,306; 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#20 East Central in Salt Lake City
East Central is a unique and diverse community with lots of wide grassy parks and great shopping, and it's within walking distance of the city’s transit options.
17% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $852. The average income is $27,561.
#19 Lower Garden District, New Orleans
The Lower Garden District has been increasingly gentrifying recently and has some of the most beautiful homes in the city. There are also more shops and bars opening to cater to a younger crowd.
The median rent in the Lower Garden District is $913 with residents averaging a median income of $25,297. 13% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#18 Third Ward in Charlotte, N.C.
The Third Ward has Sycamore trees and charming townhomes. It has a dog park and a community garden, and it is a family-oriented neighborhood.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $818. The average income is $28,494.
#17 Palms in Los Angeles
Palms is on the west side of Los Angeles and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city with a number of apartment buildings as well as Indian and Pakistani restaurants.
The median rent in Palms is $1,218 with residents averaging a median income of $26,482. 14% of residents are 25-34 years old.
#16 Tempe in Phoenix
Tempe is in the East Valley section of Phoenix and is artsy with a lot of bars in the area as well as a lake for outdoor activities.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $934. The average income is $29,139.
#15 Shadyside in Pittsburgh
Shadyside is a historic residential neighborhood on the East End of Pittsburgh and has many upscale stores and boutiques nearby, as well as a number of good restaurants.
The median rent in Shadyside is $672 with residents averaging a median income of $25,520. 11% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#14 Victorian Village, Columbus, Ohio
Victorian Village is northwest of downtown Columbus and is close to the campus of Ohio State University. It’s one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city with gorgeous homes split into rented apartments.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $777. The average income is $28,977.
#13 Eastlake in Seattle
Eastlake is on the eastern shore of Lake Union with a combination of houses, apartments, and small businesses. There are a number of gourmet restaurants, boutiques, and bakeries to make the area extremely residential.
The median rent in Eastlake is $1,033 with residents averaging a median income of $34,199. 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#12 Morrisville in Raleigh, N.C.
Morrisville is picturesque and filled with parks. It also has a ton of activities for young families and children with community sports and multipurpose fields.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $855. The average income is $31,899.
#11 Old Mountain View in San Jose, Calif.
Old Mountain View, which has views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is home to a lot of tech companies and has a high concentration of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
The median rent in Old Mountain View is $1,454 with residents averaging a median income of $37,484. 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#10 Little Italy in San Diego
This hilly neighborhood in downtown San Diego has been gentrified, and is now the city's main area for Italian restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, and festivals.
15% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $1,261. The average income is $30,196.
#9 North Loop in Minneapolis-St. Paul
The North Loop was once the city’s Warehouse District. The scene is artsy, with a lot of bars and local restaurants in the area.
The median rent in North Loop is $864, with residents averaging a median income of $33,511. 14% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#8 Oak Lawn in Dallas-Fort Worth
Oak Lawn is one of the wealthiest areas of Dallas with a lot of urban professionals, townhouses, condos, and apartments. There are a lot of good restaurants, bars, and clubs, particularly for the LGBT community.
15% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $874. The average income is $29,830.
#7 Speer in Denver
Speer is a revitalizing neighborhood in Denver that is dominated by mid- and high-rise apartments and commercial buildings. There are also highly rated bars and breweries.
The median rent in Speer is $902, with residents averaging a median income of $32,422. 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#6 Spring Hill in Boston
Spring Hill has become increasingly popular because housing prices are relatively low despite its proximity to major locations such as Davis Square and Cambridge. It has a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
13% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $1,163. The average income is $33,659.
#5 Cow Hollow in San Francisco
Cow Hollow has become an affluent neighborhood between Russian Hill and the Presidio. On Union Street, there are plenty of restaurants, boutiques, health spas, and wellness centers.
The median rent in Cow Hollow is $1,344, with residents averaging a median income of $36,119. 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#4 Wicker Park in Chicago
Wicker Park is a Chicago neighborhood northwest of the Loop and a convenient place to live for downtown workers. Recently, crime has decreased and there’s been an influx of bars, restaurants, and stores to serve young professionals.
14% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $931. The average income is $30,061.
#3 Clarendon in Washington, D.C.
Clarendon is actually in Arlington, Va., but it’s a fantastic option for young people with affordable rent and easy access to the city. It has a mix of shops, bars, and small restaurants as well as luxury apartments.
The median rent in Clarendon is $1,353 with residents averaging a median income of $42,226. 15% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
#2 South River City in Austin
Also called Travis Heights, South River City is filled with nightlife and shopping. It is one of Austin’s most family-friendly neighborhoods with lots of schools in the area.
17% of its population is aged 25 to 34, and it has a median rent of $936. The average income is $30,816.
#1 Greenpoint in New York City
Home of Lena Dunham's character on the HBO show "Girls," Greenpoint is slightly safer and cheaper than neighboring Williamsburg. There are a few parks and a whole lot of young people, making this Brooklyn neighborhood a fun place to shop, drink, and eat.
The median rent in Greenpoint is $1,157 with residents averaging a median income of $31,703. 14% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.
The Niche Ink ranked metro areas in the United States using a dozen factors, including data from the U.S. Census, FBI crime rates, and its users opinions on the best places to life after graduation. You can read the full methodology here.
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