Best and Worst Cities for New Grads

Now that you`re a college graduate, it`s time to start looking for a job. And in a tough economy, location really matters. The Huffington Post recently created a list of the best and worst cities for new grads to be looking for work in--are you starting your career in the wrong place?

Now that you`re a college graduate, it`s time to start looking for a job. And in a tough economy, location really matters. The Huffington Post recently created a list of the best and worst cities for new grads to be looking for work in--are you starting your career in the wrong place?

The Best Cities

1. Atlanta
With job growth occurring at an average of 3 percent a year, Atlanta is the best city in the U.S. for new grads entering the job market. And with an estimated 2.5 million new jobs projected to be added in the next 20 years (according to Mint.com), Atlanta is not only a great place to move to for a first job, but also a safe place to make a long-term home.

2. Pittsburgh
With booming health care and education sectors, as well as a thriving arts scene, Pittsburgh--the largest inland port in the U.S.--is poised to be a safe bet for employment for the foreseeable future.

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3. Austin
Austin`s pool of tech jobs and Mint.com`s prediction of a 47.8 percent increase in jobs over 20 years are making the capital of Texas hotter than ever. The weather is great, housing costs are competitive--and Austin is home to South by Southwest and other hot music and arts festivals.

4. Denver
According to a Pew Research Center survey, the capital of Colorado is the most desirable place to live in the U.S. Pair that with an expected yearly job-market expansion rate at of 2.54 percent, and it`s no wonder Denver is in the top five.

5. Minneapolis
Minneapolis provides a nurturing environment for green innovations and a warm climate for small businesses--despite subzero temperatures in winter months. Minneapolis is also one of America`s most literate cities, and is home to the third-largest theater district in the country.

The Worst Cities

1. New York City
Job growth is expected to increase by a mere 5 percent over the next 20 years--but that`s only one reason that New York City is among the worst places for a college grad. With the average rent of a studio apartment in Manhattan topping $2,400, the average grad simply cannot afford the NYC life.

2. Detroit
Housing prices are at rock bottom--but the job market is even lower. About a quarter of Detroit has been abandoned, thanks to a 15.5 percent unemployment rate. If you factor in under-employed people and people who`ve given up looking for work, the rate may be as high as 50 percent, making Detroit one of the worst places for a job search.

3. Los Angeles
Even with its glitz and glamour, the City of Angels is not a smart place for college grads seeking employment. With a low job-growth rate, terrible public transportation, and the worst air quality in America (according to the American Lung Association), Los Angeles isn`t the place to be.

4. Cleveland
Why doesn`t Cleveland rock for grads? The city`s unemployment rate rose to 11 percent in March and is unfortunately holding steady. Perhaps because of its high unemployment rate, Cleveland`s population has decreased drastically throughout the past 10 years.

5. St. Louis
The Gateway to the West rounds out the worst cities for new grads. Although 5,000 new jobs were recently added to the St. Louis job pool, thanks to a new casino and a new construction season, the city is quickly losing residents and still suffering with an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.

Is it time to consider moving to a new city? New grads are likelier than other job seekers to be unencumbered by responsibilities, so if you are willing to relocate for your career, now might be a good time. And although Minneapolis is chilly in the winter months, you`ll probably prefer it to living in your parents` basement..........

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