The Best Cities To Live In for Each Generation​

The best city to live in depends on your age and milestones you are going through. Each generation has its own wants, needs and interests.  

In short, the best city for you to live in can vary based on the generation you are in and life events coming up. Understanding where people in your generation are thriving or moving to could help you decide the best city for you to drop roots in. 

Of course, there are areas that are great for both recent college graduates getting new places with friends as well as those looking to buy homes and start families. 

If you are looking to move to a new city and buy a home, you can start your transition by completing a home loan application. 

What might feel perfect to you may not fit the needs of your parents or grandparents.  

As each generation ages, their housing needs will change as well. From being near friends and events to looking for a home near a great school to send your kids to, most people go through similar milestones. It is the natural progression of life, and your home should be able to make your life easier. 

Seeing where people in your generation are moving to could show you the best places where others live as they go through similar life milestones.  

Baby Boomer refers to anyone born from 1946 through 1964.  

Many Baby Boomers are at an age where they are considering or are or into their retirement. This is why they are looking to live in cities with a focus on their health and leisure. The cities where the biggest number of Baby Boomers are moving to are in Florida and Arizona. 

The largest numbers of Baby Boomers are moving to these cities: 

• Palm Coast, Florida
• Cape Coral, Florida
• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Surprise, Arizona
• Pompano Beach, Florida

As you get older, doctor visits become more regular. As Baby Boomers reach this age and time in their lives, living closer to top-tier healthcare almost becomes a necessity. 

If you are choosing to retire, you are probably also looking to get the most out of your money and your time. 

Florida offers residents no state income tax, while Arizona has a relatively low income tax compared to other states. This makes both states a great choice for anyone looking to get the most out of their money. Both states have warmer climates that allow residents to enjoy outdoor activities more frequently. 

Gen X refers to anyone born from 1965 through 1980.  

Many Generation Xers (Gen X) have steady careers and families. Gen X is known for their work-life balance and look to live in an area that reflects that balance. Where Gen Xers are choosing to live is not in any specific area but rather all over the country. 

Cities with the largest Gen X populations that balance stability and education are: 

• Austin, Texas
• Portland, Oregon
• New York City, New York
• San Diego, California

• Seattle, Washington

The work-life balance that is important to Gen X is a major factor when they choose where to live. This means finding an area with jobs that have high earning potential while offering a safe space to raise their families. 

With many having families, Gen Xers tend to look for places to live that can help support their families. This means finding cities with good school districts and suburban areas their families can take advantage of. 

Millennial refers to anyone born from 1981 through 1996.  

With an increasing number of Millennials working from home, they have the option to live somewhere that meets their needs and improves their quality of life. Many of these options are larger cities with many job opportunities and communities they can join. 

Cities that the largest numbers of Millennials are moving to are: 

• Alexandria, Virginia
• Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Denver, Colorado
• Sandy Springs, Georgia
• Sunnyvale, California

Many of the best cities for Millennials have both career opportunities and access to outdoor spaces. Millennials tend to have an idea of where they want their careers to go and look for places where they can grow and move up in their fields. However, they don’t want to have to sacrifice a connection to nature and outdoor spaces.  

Gen Z refers to anyone born from 1997 through 2012.  

Being the youngest and potentially the most technologically advanced generation to be moving or buying a home, Gen Z’s experience in the housing market is very different from most. Gen Z tends to be earlier in their careers than other generations and looking to move to places in their budget. Another characteristic that sets Gen Z apart is their use of technology when finding places to live, preferring to use digital platforms and virtual tours when searching. 

Top cities where Gen Z are moving to are: 

• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• The Villages, Florida
• New York City, New York
• Verona, Wisconsin
• South Boston, Massachusetts

While some city names on this list may be familiar, others may not necessarily be. But just because the name doesn’t immediately make you think of the city doesn’t mean they aren’t a great option for you. These emerging housing markets are some of the places where Gen Z has found a quality of life that meets their needs. 

The biggest factors to consider before moving to a new city are your needs in an area and price range. 

Everyone’s needs to improve their quality of life are different. When searching for a new place to live, finding a spot that meets all your needs is most important. After you have found the right city for you, the next thing you will want to do is find a home within your budget without spreading yourself too thin financially. 

If you have found a home and are ready to make the move to a new city, you will be ready to start your home loan application. 

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