Do you prefer New York’s cosmopolitan chic or Washington’s political platforms? Are you enamored with the glamour of L.A. or seduced by Seattle’s culture? Current trends show that young people are more migratory than ever. The 18 – 29 demographic is not only the most restless, mobile age group; they also often create and define the cultural and social feel of a particular area.

In a recent article The Wall Street Journal asks: “If you were a recent college graduate in a recovering economy launching a career, looking for a mate or both, where would you choose to live?” To answer this question they enlisted a group of demographers, economists, geographers and authors on urban issues to pick ten cities, based on economy, lifestyle, amenities, etc. For graduates entering a tentatively recovering economy, the impetus for relocation is firmly rooted in career potential. Larger cities are once again becoming Meccas for the younger generation as job opportunities have dried up in smaller, trendy cities.

More than anything, The Wall Street Journal’s Top 5 cities for young people conveys the diversity of the youth demographic. While old reliables like Washington and New York feature prominently for finance, business and legal professions quirky cities like Portland, Oregon prove attractive to artists and those seeking green careers.

Check out the Wall Street’s Journals pick of the Top 5 Cities for young people:

Tied 1st Place: Washington D.C.

Under new management Washington D.C. has experienced an influx of young people. According to Richard Florida, author of Who’s Your City: “In the eyes of some young people, Barack Obama is America’s coolest boss.” Washington has always been the political seat of the nation; serious and intellectual, but now it seems to be reinvigorated by what the Wall Street Journal calls a “youthful pilgrimage to the Capitol.”

With an unemployment rate of 4.2 %, well below national average, jobs in Washington are expected to grow in areas like homeland security, aerospace, lobbying and technology. For computer services Washington is expected to surpass Silicon Valley and this will no doubt attract the technology orientated graduate. Other major industries expected to flourish are law and education. Washington D.C. was included at the number two spot on their City Where They’re Hiring list. The article claims that careers in education will experience growth: “There are so many schools and colleges that education is the third largest employer, and the area is expected to add 30,000 more education jobs in 2009.”

Tied 1st Place: Seattle

< Forever epitomized by Nirvana as the nerve center of youth culture, Seattle offers a high-tech and culturally rich lifestyle. The Wall Street Journal explains: “Anchor to a region that spawned Microsoft and Starbucks, Seattle's combination of cultural life and access to outdoor adventure is hard to beat. With 200,000-plus high-tech workers, the city falls just short of Silicon Valley in tech employment.

With joblessness at 7.7% Seattle still falls short of the national average. Jobs in media, design and computers are expected to grow. Seattle is considered a forerunner in the music industry and jobs in this sector are expected to grow steadily. Along with job opportunities this city offers a rich cultural lifestyle. The city is surrounded by natural resources and so sailing, skiing, bicycling, camping and hiking are accessibly all year round. The city is also less expensive than other large cities, with average rent on a modern apartment around $1000.

3rd Place: New York

Being the center of the financial crisis New York is an unlikely inclusion on the list. However, the WSJ claims that the reason the city’s unemployment rate remains at 10% is because people continue to relocate there. New York’s legendary status attracts large numbers; it is one of the leading destinations for international immigration and thus has the second largest immigrant population in the country at 4.2 million as of 2008.

However, the article continues: “New York hasn’t lost as many financial-services jobs as predicted… so far, fewer than half of the 293,000 job losses that were projected by the city from 2009 through mid-2010 have materialized.” New York is often described as the epicenter of the business, finance, fashion and arts worlds. Countless companies have headquarters and flagships in New York and the city is still considered hugely cosmopolitan. The outer boroughs also offer cheaper housing alternatives and transport infrastructure facilitates commutation. The city also hosts many colleges and learning institutions and remains a prime destination for graduates.

4th Place: Portland, Oregon

Despite the city’s daunting 11.2% unemployment rate it continues to attract young people. Officials have plans to expand the job market by 10,000 positions in the next 5 years. The city has a well serviced public transport infrastructure. Portland is a great place for artistic and creative jobs. The city proudly maintains parks and green spaces. As the site of an extinct volcano Portland offers beautiful scenery and landscape. Due to this emphasis on nature, the city also promotes green energy and so jobs in this sector are likely to increase.

Portland is known as a hub of youth culture. Many trends and quirky events began in Portland. The article states: “Portland has continued to draw migrants through the recession. An urban-growth boundary fosters a strong downtown culture while containing suburban sprawl, easing travel to nearby mountains and forests. Portland has expanded mass transit and boasts sizeable electronics and activewear companies, several wind- and solar-energy firms, and many green-building projects.”

5th Place: Austin, Texas

As capitol of Texas and home to the University of Texas at Austin this city has a thriving, educated culture. With an unemployment rate of 7.3% Austin is below national average. The city is known for its engineering and computer industries. It has also emerged as a leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. While the city has a number of high profile, global companies, it has also placed emphasis on independent and locally owned businesses.

Austin is consistently recognized as a popular city. Voted 2nd best big city in Best Places to Live by Money magazine and awarded third place in the Greenest City in America poll, conducted by MSN. With a relatively low cost of living and employment prospects in creative and technical sectors, Austin is a perfect destination for graduates and young people.
Other cities that made the list were:

• San Jose, California
• Denver, Colorado
• Dallas, Texas

With graduates and young people forecasting the future these 5 cities are set to enjoy even more growth. Both culturally and for the job market an influx of young, educated people will ensure staying power for these areas and will aid the process of economic recovery.