Young folks move all the time — Millennials in particular move between cities more frequently than past generations. And in our Post-COVID era, people are starting to move for all sorts of reasons, personal or professional.

Plus, with the new popularity and feasibility of remote work — especially in the tech industry — there’s a whole new dimension added to choosing a place to live. Companies like Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Shopify have embraced work-from-home, so your career may or may not play a large role in determining your next move.

Let’s take a look at a number of the factors you should consider before you make your next big move and some of the places that may be the best cities for software engineers.

How to Judge the Best Tech Cities

Career Opportunities

Naturally, people are going to move where the money is.

The pandemic took a serious toll on the job market and saw unemployment numbers skyrocket, but even with more changes always on the horizon, certain verticals like e-commerce, marketing, healthcare, and education are all turning to tech to help continue business as usual. This shift in emphasis is opening a wealth of career opportunities for both new and seasoned coding talent, and they’ll only continue to grow.

If you want to dive headfirst into a new city built around tech, but you want to get your professional foot in the door first, consider a coding bootcamp like App Academy. We offer our 16-week in-person programs in New York and San Francisco (keep reading to learn more about these tech hubs!) as well as full-time online coding bootcamp and part-time online coding bootcamp options. The skills you learn in our bootcamp can help land you a job in software engineering in a matter of months.

Networking: Personal & Professional

Outside of working hours, the ability to network and build friendships, romantic relationships, and professional partnerships is one of the key things young people look for when choosing somewhere to live.

Do opportunities like meet-ups, happy hours, social sports leagues, or social venues (think bars or music venues) exist in the city you’re interested in? Are there any more specialized networking opportunities, either through your personal or professional interests?

Can you network virtually with people in your field or social network to test the waters and establish connections before you move? It could be beneficial to help you make your final decision, or even to help you build a foundation before you start apartment hunting or packing your bags.

Housing Investments

Housing markets in every city are different, but depending on your age and financial situation, investing in property might be high on your priority list. Plus, if you’re hoping that this move is going to be for the long-term, you might be thinking even more seriously about a property investment.

Cities on our list — Austin, Seattle, and Durham, NC, for example — topped 2020’s list of best real estate markets in the country, and they’re all still excellent places for young tech professionals who are in the rental market.

Taking some time to determine your average salary (or your target average salary) and your property goals can have a big impact on which cities make the most sense for you.

Activities

From winter sports to water sports and live music to foodie scenes, there’s a city for every interest or hobby. Many want to move to a city where they can immerse themselves in their interest or participate in their chosen hobby on a regular basis.

Skiing? Boating? Hiking? Microbrewery hopping? Determine what it is you like to do and narrow down your prospects based on the places that really cater those things.

Fresh Start

Who doesn’t need a fresh start after the pandemic? Moving to a new city and starting anew may be just the thing that helps you get over the stagnation of the pandemic and really kickstart your career trajectory again.

A fresh start is inevitable, regardless of the other factors driving your move. It’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself, meet new people, and explore new interests.

Top cities for young professionals

1. Austin, TX

Austin | Rancho Sienna

It wasn’t so long ago that the likes of Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughn were running Austin’s music scene, dubbing it the unofficial Live Music Capital of the World. It’s that same creative energy (plus an absence of state income tax) that has drawn tech companies from around the globe to this tiny Texas capital.

Austin, recently nicknamed ‘Silicon Hills’, has become a haven for new-age tech pros who want the same career opportunities of some of the other best tech cities without the major costs of living. The growth is as palpable as it is visible, as Austin’s city skyline is rife with high-rises and skyscrapers that weren’t there even five years ago. With that physical growth has come a serious influx of money.

According to Crunchbase, Concurrently