Best Cities?

Not looking for an IB Tier list here. Forget about all that, what are the coolest places to live in the US (or elsewhere) in your early 20s. Thinking NYC, LA, Miami, curious to see what you all think

 

This is just my opinion, I know others may not agree.

Early 20s- NYC

later- LA

Outside of NYC and LA US cities are whatever (I would rather live in a 2nd tier city in Europe over a 2nd tier city in America)

San Francisco would still be really cool if it wasn’t so fucked up rn.

I have heard good things about Miami from people who grew up there or people who go there to party, or go to UMiami. never really hear much else positive about it, though many people enjoy other parts of florida such as Naples, but that’s not really a city

Chicago has a kind of midwestern white culture, and in terms of going out and stuff NYC way more fun. Chicago also has shit weather. Chicago does have good food though.

Boston is not that cool in my opinion, honestly hated it, and have heard the same from friends.

A lot of people love San Diego, but it’s not for me. If you want a very laid back chill place where everyone skateboards or surfs it would be for you. You can get that in LA though with a lot more culture, food, etc.

Nashville is somewhere you go once or twice to party and that’s it.

I have not spent enough time/haven’t been to DC, Atlanta, Texas, Seattle, Portland to give an opinion.

Not listing any other cities cuz none of them should even be a thought.

 
frynance

This is just my opinion, I know others may not agree.

Early 20s- NYC

later- LA

Outside of NYC and LA US cities are whatever (I would rather live in a 2nd tier city in Europe over a 2nd tier city in America)

San Francisco would still be really cool if it wasn't so fucked up rn.

I have heard good things about Miami from people who grew up there or people who go there to party, or go to UMiami. never really hear much else positive about it, though many people enjoy other parts of florida such as Naples, but that's not really a city

Chicago has a kind of midwestern white culture, and in terms of going out and stuff NYC way more fun. Chicago also has shit weather. Chicago does have good food though.

Boston is not that cool in my opinion, honestly hated it, and have heard the same from friends.

A lot of people love San Diego, but it's not for me. If you want a very laid back chill place where everyone skateboards or surfs it would be for you. You can get that in LA though with a lot more culture, food, etc.

Nashville is somewhere you go once or twice to party and that's it.

I have not spent enough time/haven't been to DC, Atlanta, Texas, Seattle, Portland to give an opinion.

Not listing any other cities cuz none of them should even be a thought.

This is the correct opinion except id use a relationships status cut off rather than an age cut off 

 
Most Helpful

Atlanta is not ideal if you’re in your 20’s unless you’re gay or from the south. Grew up here and still here - everyone runs in the same groups they had in college.

I bring up the gay part because midtown is full of them. Old 4th Ward, Virginia Highlands, Inman Park have some cool bars, but Atlanta seems to be a small city. I see the same people out each weekend.

I can’t wait to move out but waiting to do an MBA. Thinking of giving it another year or two then I’m out. Not a bad place to raise a family - you can get an absolute baller mansion in East Cobb / Buckhead for under $5M. I say this because the houses listed here for that price would be $30M+ up in Connecticut. Suburb Atlanta is pretty nice, but rush hour traffic is horrendous. It will take me actually 4x longer to commute to my parents house in rush hour than with no traffic.

Hell, it took me 20 minutes to get onto the interstate I CAN SEE FROM MY LIVING ROOM because of construction and traffic. Yes, it’s this bad. Crime is also out of control in the actual city area. Nobody goes to downtown. Midtown and Buckhead are the “city” areas, and they have crime issues as well.

 

I would agree with this. Been here 2 years and literally of my friends outside of work are from somewhere other than Atlanta. Everyone in finance/real estate went to one of UGA/Bama/Auburn/UF/FSU or maybe Emory/Sewanee/Vandy and have a pack of 10-20 friends from their respective schools in the city and thus have no need to branch out. NYC/DC/LA is much more transient and dynamic but the flip side is that people are constantly moving in and out so its a difficult place to settle down with long term friendships/connections in those cities. If you stick with Atlanta or another secondary market long enough you eventually will have a deep network you won't want to give up/can't easily be replicated elsewhere.

 

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