Pier parks in Hoboken, N.J., are favorite outdoor destinations during warm months.

UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.

#6. Hoboken

With nearly 122,000 job openings in and around the city, Hoboken, N.J., deserves a look from recent grads who crave the hustle and bustle of being near New York City but want to live in a smaller community. Ranked as one of the most walkable cities in the country by Walkscore.com, Hoboken’s bike paths, sidewalks and greenways allow residents easy access to the many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues the city has to offer. And while many Hoboken residents make the quick commute to NYC via train or ferry, many others enjoy walking to their jobs.

The unemployment rate for 25- to 34-year-olds in Hoboken is 1.6 percent, the second lowest on our list. That’s an indication that qualified applicants stand a good chance of landing a job. Hoboken is home to companies that specialize in publishing, insurance and health care, and the city attracts a good amount of tourists who come to enjoy what residents experience on a daily basis – a lively arts and music scene; waterfront parks; and authentic, family-owned bistros and cafes, many of which offer outdoor dining and views of the Manhattan skyline. Young professionals will find a vast amount of rental properties to choose from. More than 68 percent of homes in Hoboken are rented, and the majority rent for less than 30 percent of the average income here.

The areas between Washington Street and Sinatra Drive, near Stevens Institute of Technology, draw crowds who flock to a large collection of restaurants, bars and shops. Warm, sunny days bring hundreds of people to the city’s grass-covered pier parks for sunbathing, walking and occasional music events.

Snapshot

Number of 25- to 34-year-olds: 19,784

*Number of available jobs: 121,908

Hot jobs: publishing, insurance, health care

Top employers: John Wiley & Sons, Marsh USA, Hoboken University Medical Center

*According to Indeed.com

Newsletter Sign Up

Keep up to date with our latest rankings and articles!
Enter your email to be added to our mailing list.