◊ Read more: Where in the World?

Why the ’Burbs Can Wait

“I would definitely nominate Madison, Wisconsin for a ‘cool place to live.’ Madison is a liberal enclave in the otherwise traditional Midwest. It is politically active, culturally rich, down-to-earth, and friendly. The city itself is situated on an isthmus between two beautiful lakes, the Mendota and Monona. Its waterfront location is ideal for outdoor activities, and its size (not too big but not too small) is conducive to lots of funky coffee shops, independent theaters and bookstores, and every variety of bar imaginable. Madison also has a very thriving youth culture, consisting of everyone from students to hippies, young professionals to musicians. I moved here knowing no one, and three years later I’m very hesitant to leave!”

—Susan Gloss, 25

“Charleston, SC is an amazing place to live or visit. It’s full of history, very socially active, and has a lot of southern hospitality. Charleston offers great weather, proximity to the beach, lots of young people and diversity. The nightlife is lively, as are the festivals. Don’t forget world class golf (Ryder Cup), art and great architecture. There is also a huge teaching hospital and many graduate programs.”

—Justin Bagby, 25

“There aren’t very many places in the world where you’ll see twentysomething women walking around malls with small dogs in their purses. Los Angeles is one of them. Leaving the house in your pajama pants or, for that matter, a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt is a fashion faux pax. In spite of the superficiality of the place, I have to say that it feels oh-so-good to wear flip-flops year-round after bundling up on the East Coast. The California (and southern California, at that) sun never fails to shine. And California’s people are of a more laid back variety than the frenzied folks of the East.”

—Ruchika Budhraja, 22

“The people who are drawn to work in D.C. come to pursue their passion about a cause—something bigger than themselves. I’m surrounded by people with interesting jobs. Virtually no one can summarize their position with a one word title like ‘banker.’ Most peoples’ response to ‘So what do you do?’ entails three paragraphs, a description of some interesting issue or cause, and a glimpse of their idealism. And it usually leads to a lively conversation!”

—Molly Kinder, 24

“I don’t really think you can beat NYC. It’s expensive, but there’s a reason. It’s a totally amazing place to live. It’s such a fun time, especially before you’re married and want a family.”

—Sarah Smith, 22

“San Diego is a mecca for young people who love the outdoors and the beach: surfers, roller bladers, skaters, beach volleyball players. There are huge strips of beach front that are completely inhabited by young people.”

—Libby Salloway, 34

“Austin is a thriving college town, spewing a ridiculous amount of unique cultural and social activities on its residents. For fresh college graduates, Austin offers something for nearly every personality. For me, the adventurous, do-all-I-possibly- can-while-I’m-here type, the eight months I spent in Austin were all about trying new restaurants, hitting up as many bars as I could, trying as many outdoor activities as possible, and embracing the eclectic cultural vibe that resonates from Congress Ave to the Hill Country. Austin also has a claim on the title the ‘Live Music Capital of the World.’ ”

—Brian O’Connor, 24

“Phoenix has no winters, period. Yeah, summers are hot, but you adapt quickly. It also offers great outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping and mountain biking, cool nightlife, tons of Indian casinos, major sports, and a pretty affordable cost of living.”

—Mike Kroeger, 28

“Chicago has so much to offer young people. The fast and furious nature of the city (and the wind!) will knock you down, and the friendly Midwestern people will pick you right up. The beauty of the city lies in its ethnic neighborhoods. Meandering down the streets, you hear Polish and can snack on a pierogi or a Serbian sarma. The city’s charm is also in the influential architecture and the giant public art, as well as the music festivals that run all summer long—jazz, blues, country and gospel.”

—Raul Romo, 27

“So, you like to hike, bike, run trails, ski, fish, hunt, ride white water and play ultimate frisbee? Do mild winters (OK, relative to the rest of the state) and a proximity to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks sound appealing? Missoula, Montana is your place. In return for this nice quality of life and warm, active community you could give something back by working or volunteering with the many social service organizations assisting the transient and struggling populations. You can also look for opportunities with the National Park Service, tourist companies for outdoor summer trips or nearby ski resorts.”

—Alejandra Lopez-Fernandini, 26