If you are a recent college graduate launching a career, where would you choose

to live?Josselyn B Amanda C

Cody DKyle D

Today’s recession scarred young people favor cities where high-quality, high-paying jobs are more available

Trendy, smaller cities such as Naples, FL are not as enticing today as in the past

Both Charlotte, NC and Las Vegas lost their luster due to the financial crisis

People 18 to 29 are the most mobile age group

Their migration patterns have defined the future of regions from the exodus of the 1900s to the Silicon Valley boom of the 1990s

Youth-magnet cities gain cultural allure and a labor-market edge

The recession has brought migration to a halt: fewer people have moved across state lines in 2008 than at any time since 1950

• Wall Street Journal chose six of the nation’s leading experts to rank the 10 U.S. youth magnet cities

• Provided two to three reasons for their selections and were chosen based on their achievements in research, forecasting, geography, regional economics or demography

• Used own criteria to provide a ranked list of picks

• Composite ranking were assigned to cities based on a point system: #1’s were given a 10, #2’s were given a 9 and so on

• Final ranking were determined by adding the total points each city received

• 1st Place (tie)

• Has an allure due to the 2008 presidential election

• Government hiring is projected to grow fast, and jobs in lobbying, aerospace, defense contracting and professional services are a draw

• The national leader in high tech services

• 4,000 plus nonprofits appeal to service-minded people

• Downside: by next year the government will be looking at making cuts

• David Gibson, 25, passed up jobs in Charlotte, New York and Atlanta

• Is now a financial analyst for the Federal Reserve

• Chose to live there based on educational opportunities and cultural aspect

• 1st Place (tie)

• High-tech and lifestyle mecca

• Unemployment is low at 7.7%

• Rapid growth in biotech

•Many jobs in music and interactive media

• Downside: rains a lot

• Lane Kulhman and Matt Mansbach settled in Seattle instead of Hew York and Chicago

• Like diverse high-tech sector, cultural life, outdoor activities and strong universities

•Ms. Kulhman has taken a job with Microsoft as a new product researcher

• Mr. Mansbach may attend one of the city’s grad schools for computer amination

3rd Place

Unemployment is 10.3% because many people continue to move there

Haven’t lost as many financial service jobs as predicted

City is becoming more affordable due to residential growth in the boroughs

Downside: the city is still unaffordable for many and long commutes

• Allison Bailey, a 2009 grad, moved to New York from Houston

• Loves the European lifestyle and the fact it is a walking city

• Works as a litigation assistant for a law firm

• Can afford the $1,450 month rent for a studio in Manhattan

• 4th Place

• Continues to draw migrants through the recession

• Strong downtown culture with suburbs

• Expanded mass transit

• Large electronics and active wear companies

• Wind and solar energy firms and green building projects

• Downside: new to foster job growth

• Ryan O’Leary,23, moved from LA

• Has a degree in journalism but is a construction worker

• The move to Portland is the best decision he has made in a long time

• Loves the nightlife, neighborhoods, and streetcars

• He continues to job hunt in the public relations field

• Fifth Place

• State capital

• University of Texas

• Gathering place for tech and art conscience adults

• Conferences and festivals draw many

• Unemployment and cost of living are low

• Downside: not sure how Austin will rebound after the recession

• Olga Garcia and Kevin Kurkjian moved from New Jersey to Austin

• Offered housing, career opportunities and a welcoming culture

• Never heard anything bad about Austin

•Many opportunities arise from each of these five cities.

•Each city provides a great start for anyone looking for a great career and/or new place to advance an already existing company.

•Numerous different career fields await those who decide one of these cities is right for them.