Immigrating to the United States focuses on life in the United States: new job opportunities, an increasing number of industries, rapidly developing arts, diverse restaurants, and an affordable housing market make these cities popular destinations for young people in the United States in 2015.
Atlanta, Georgia
This revitalizing city is highly attractive to young professionals. In the past, young people gathered in small satellite cities outside of Atlanta, but now, with the construction of several projects, they are being drawn back to downtown Atlanta. Similar to New York's High Line, Atlanta's Beltline redevelopment project transforms a 35-kilometer old railway corridor into pathways, parks, affordable housing, and more, revitalizing the surrounding areas, including Piedmont Park. Excitingly, dozens of restaurants opened here in 2014, with even more expected next year.
Austin, Texas
A booming economy and a strong tech industry will attract more ambitious young people. This year, Austin was also rated as the best-performing city in the United States. The city's appeal to young people lies in its thriving high-tech companies and future job growth. All of this is highly attractive to young professionals and recent college graduates, which in turn attracts high-end businesses to the city.
Burlington, Vermont
Will become the future of food. The city hosted its first food festival this September, bringing together non-profit organizations, farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food enthusiasts to discuss the development of the local food movement. At the same time, the city is also leading in sustainable energy. Vermont plans to provide 90% renewable energy by 2050.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Will become the primary destination for entry-level biotechnology professionals. Thousands of young people aged 25 to 34, particularly graduates from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and hundreds of colleges near Boston, are attracted to Cambridge's growing biotechnology industry. Many large employers offer these young people high salaries and ample job opportunities. To accommodate the rapidly growing population, the city will develop small apartments to meet the needs of more young residents while moderately increasing commuting options to alleviate high traffic from bicycles and cars.
Denver, Colorado
Due to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and the recent allowance for recreational marijuana sales to individuals over 21, Denver has become a tourist destination for marijuana users, who frequently visit local dispensaries and shops. Currently, marijuana has brought significant economic benefits to the local tourism industry and state tax revenue, with the number of marijuana-selling businesses continuously increasing. At the same time, crime rates for murder, sexual assault, and violent robbery have decreased by 5.6% in the first half of this year.
Detroit, Michigan
This "Motor City" is on the path to recovery, thanks to a group of ambitious young people. The city has been trying to improve its economic situation to attract well-educated and talented young individuals. Certain industries have become increasingly strong locally, such as the bicycle industry, which has been thriving.
Houston, Texas
Will become a city where young people in their twenties gather. From 2000 to 2012, the number of college-educated residents aged 25 to 34 in Houston grew by 49%, surpassing any other place in the country. With more Fortune 500 company headquarters settling locally, particularly in the oil and energy sectors, the city has become the largest job creator in the United States.
Madison, Wisconsin
Will become a city filled with skyscrapers. Madison has developed projects worth $337 million this year, with nearly two-thirds allocated for large apartment buildings to accommodate a large influx of young people in their twenties and thirties. Madison was rated as the most livable place in 2014, largely due to job opportunities that attract young people.
Mobile, Alabama
Will become a trade hub in the southern United States. This May, the city was awarded the highest export service award by the President. WorldWay is the fastest-growing industry in Mobile, ranking ninth in the nation, and its geographical location facilitates interaction with Central and South America. Additionally, the coal trade in the city is thriving. Walter Energy, a coal production and export company in Alabama, plans to expand its export business, which means an additional 6.5 million tons of coal will be shipped through its port.
Nashville, Tennessee
Will become a new center for the automotive and healthcare industries. Known for its country music scene, Nashville is now not just a music town but a focal point for the automotive and healthcare industries. The area is home to over 300 healthcare companies and has created 30,000 jobs in the automotive sector. Meanwhile, the popularity of the television show "Nashville" has boosted its tourism, with 11.8 million visitors in 2013, and the local tourism board predicts a 10% increase in visitors in 2016. It has become the second city in the United States to attract college graduates.
Oakland, California
Will become a trendy hotspot in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many fashionable individuals are moving out of San Francisco to settle in Oakland. The area is filled with restaurants, cafes, and trendy clothing stores, along with barbershops, donut shops, and local farmers' markets. As the San Francisco real estate market continues to rise, more young people will be forced to settle in Oakland.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The city's growing wealth is attributed to the oil and high-tech industries. Pittsburgh, also known as the "Steel City," has seen a significant boom in the oil industry after oil companies acquired shale gas producers, attracting a large number of well-educated, high-income young professionals in engineering fields to settle in the city. The local housing market has relatively not been affected by the economic downturn, although current housing prices have risen. With the arrival of high-tech companies like Google, local bars and restaurants are also continuously emerging.
Queens, New York
It will become the hottest and most diverse food city in New York City. Over the past decade, the high cost of real estate in Manhattan has driven New Yorkers to Brooklyn. However, the current housing prices in Brooklyn are also becoming unaffordable, which means people are fleeing to Queens, where housing is relatively cheaper. As the most diverse borough, Queens is one of the places with the richest culinary offerings in the world. Additionally, it is a cultural city, home to the Queens Museum, the PS1 of the Museum of Modern Art, and Socrates Sculpture Park.
Venice, California
To escape rising rents and fierce competition, more and more Silicon Valley residents are coming to "Silicon Beach" to start businesses, making the area between Santa Monica and Venice, approximately 4 miles long, gradually become a well-known hub for startups, expanding inland. This trend has caused the area to become overcrowded, with rising office and residential prices.
Washington, D.C.
A new transportation system will revitalize the local economy. For a long time, people have been troubled by the poor transportation in the District. Now, the first phase of the Silver Line connecting to Reston, Virginia, has opened, making transportation more convenient and boosting the economy. The second phase, connecting to Dulles International Airport, is expected to be completed in 2018.