A Visual Tour Of The Top Cities Millennials Are Moving To


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Millennials are on the move across America. The search for a cool place to live that’s not exorbitantly expensive is pretty high on the priority list for Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 years old. Everyone wants to be where the action is, but they also want to be able to afford the action.

Recently, the Urban Land Institute took a look at the increases in populations across 50 metro areas between 2010 and 2015 and discovered that Millennials are eschewing the big cities like New York and Los Angeles for the smaller cities around America. That’s not to say 20-something aren’t moving to NYC and LA, they are — just not in the numbers that they’re moving to places like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia.

Before you go shaming newcomers for ruining your city, it’s important to remember that there was 32 percent increase in births between 1978 and 1990 in America. That means there are simply more people in the millennial generation (once again, boomers are to blame). And while there are some heavy upticks of young adults in certain cities, the actual percentage of millennials living in cities has remained constant since 2010 at 21 percent.

We decided to put together a list of the top ten cities that have received a significant bump in millennials moving to town since 2010. Hey, you never know, maybe you’ll find a new place to call home…

10. MIAMI METROPOLITAN AREA, FLORIDA

Miami has seen a 6.4 percent increase of millennials since 2010. And it’s not hard to see why, Miami has beaches, parties, art-deco culture, and the best Cubanos going.

9. GREATER BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

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Boston has seen a 6.5 percent increase. This university heavy town has always had a fairly young population. It also has a deep historical feel and one of the best bar scenes in America.

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8. BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA, MARYLAND

Baltimore has had the same increase as Boston when it comes to Millennials calling B’more home. Between Fell’s Point to a arts district to the awesome wooden ‘runs’ on the outskirts of the city — Baltimore is a great place to get a footing in life.

7. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Pittsburgh saw slightly higher growth than Baltimore and Boston, with a 6.6 percent in their millennial population. Cheap(er) housing, awesome nightlife, and an intense sports atmosphere no doubt help prop-up Pittsburgh as an attractive city to live in.

6. GREATER AUSTIN, TEXAS

Austin has experienced the same uptick in millennials as Pittsburgh. The city is famous for its iconic music and food scenes, hot summers, and surrounding Travis County natural wonders.

5. NEW ORLEANS METROPOLITAN AREA, LOUISIANA

NOLA had an 8.5 percent increase in millennials. Those are some big numbers for the Big Easy. But, come on, it’s a party town with awesome food, music, and culture that steadily becoming more progressive. That’s a winning hand for a lot of people out there, regardless of age.

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4. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Memphis saw a 9.5 percent increase in their population of 25 to 34-year-olds since 2010. Let’s face it, Memphis is a more affordable place to live with a great music history at the crossroads of the American South and the Midwest. This makes perfect sense.

3. INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA

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Riverside and the Inland Empire to the east of Los Angeles saw an 11.7 percent increase in their Millennial population. This feels a lot like people who want to live in LA, but just don’t want to pay LA’s prices. Which is fair. It’s worth saving some cash while still being in striking distance of one of America’s biggest cultural and metropolitan centers.

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Riverside sunsets 🌆

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2. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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The former capital of the South saw a 14.9 percent increase in millennials. Richmond has that small town aesthetic while still feeling like a big city. It’s also just below the overall US average for cost of living, which helps explain the city’s draw.

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It looks like I have my new favorite river.

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1. HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA

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The metro area with the biggest growth — clocking in at 16.4 percent — was the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News area known as Hampton Roads. We have to wonder how much moving here is economically motivated and how much of it’s #beachlife4ever!

(Via Time)

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