Graduating from college or university is a time for excitement and celebration, but it also comes with responsibilities and decisions. Before you even cross the stage with your diploma, thoughts about what’s next could be flooding your mind.
Oftentimes one of the main questions is what city you’ll decide to take roots in. For those who moved away to attend college, in many instances, graduation can shake up your life because it causes you to decide if you will branch out on your own or go back to living in your hometown.
For future graduates looking to hop into the apartment and housing market, there are a few things to consider, like if you want to travel to a huge city or stay in a rural environment.
The housing market is continuously changing with popular trends making it sometimes harder for new homeowners or renters to start out. According to Michael Crute, an operational strategist turned realtor in the greater-metro Atlanta area, while developers are catering towards investors who are looking to buy up full neighborhoods, mixed-use housing developments are catering to Gen-Zers.
So, where are Gen-Zers supposed to move? Where should they go?
According to JLL’s Talent Hub report, which looked at the 1.6 million graduate counts and residing markets in 2024, the East Coast rendered the greatest regional share of graduates, with New York City being the main city for graduates to establish their careers. Following were popular cities across the nation like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston.
Many recent graduates flocked to these cities in an effort to establish their careers as larger cities often have robust job availability and opportunities. For jobs that require in-person attendance, bigger cities are often the place where companies seek out upcoming talent.
Larger cities are a magnet for younger people because of the access, opportunity and culture, according to Crute. “If you want to build a career in a competitive industry, network with top professionals, or be surrounded by diversity and innovation, cities offer that,” he says.“The amenities are unmatched—public transportation, food, nightlife, community spaces, and social mobility are all draws.”
Popular cities like Atlanta, Houston, New York City, Los Angeles or even Chicago attract Gen-Zers because of its cultural uniqueness and flexibility for upcoming working professionals.
While these are all great reasons to consider big city living, Crute also warns for recent graduates to consider the cons that may deter many. Important factors like rent and the environment may be something to consider, explains Crute. Additionally, sometimes the tradeoff for living in big cities is cost, space and overall quality of living, he adds.
“Rent is skyrocketing in major cities. You might be paying $2,500 for a studio the size of a shoebox, with zero storage and paper-thin walls,” Crute tells GU. “Cities can also be overwhelming—the pace, the noise, the constant motion. Not everyone thrives in that environment.”
According to Statista, at the beginning of 2024, the average monthly cost of rent across the U.S. was 1,400 with states like Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York with the highest. With these numbers fluctuating, taking into account your budget in addition to cost of living expenses and any financial surprises, is important.
Additionally, when making the decision about city living versus rural life, Crute advises to simply pay attention to what you value. Before you make a decision that could impact your mental, physical and professional health, ask yourself a few questions.
These questions can include, “Do you want access to everything at your fingertips, even if it means less personal space and higher expenses? Or, do you want affordability, stability, and a slower pace of life?”
When making this decision, you should also consider what matters the most to you — is it your career path or family/social life. Will you have access to the same opportunities in another city? And, is it easily accessible to family, friends and other things you may value.
If you’ve decided to stay close to home or move in with a relative or friend, but hope to move out one day, Crute advises you to begin thinking like an investor — learn about credit, understand home buying assistance programs, and be intentional about where you place your money.
While the stigma that homeownership isn’t an option for Gen-Z due to the high costs of living and inflation, Crute offers a different perspective and says that homeownership is indeed possible, it just takes strategy.