Great Neighborhoods for Millennials

America’s largest and youngest adult generation, millennials, has an insane amount of collective power. From being able to move markets according to their whims to influencing change, millennials hold this power for decades to come.

As a whole, the group is somewhat elusive. Are we aimless or driven? Apathetic or hardworking? Taco Bell or Chipotle? Just when you think you have the answer, there’s a shift. Well, here’s one thing we do know: Millennials, in ever-increasing numbers, are home buyers — the largest group in the nation. Sure, we are fans of the borrowers’ economy, but we are hungry for ownership. Buyers under 36 make up the largest portion of Americans signing on the dotted line.

Like most home-buyers, millennials look for specific things in a community. On the list of must-haves: short commutes, amenities like green space, cultural centers, restaurants and fun places to go out.

So what places across the United States pique millennials interest?

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City has a lot going for it, from a growing tech scene that lures young people to companies like Adobe. It’s come to be known as Silicon Slopes, with homes at one-third of Silicon Valley prices and plenty of places to ski or board around the corner. Aside from those in the tech business, people have a good chance of scoring a job with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate, well below the national rate of 4.7 percent. This is an extremely livable, affordable city, especially for those starting out. Between the mountain bike trails, farmers markets and micro-brews, Salt Lake City crosses the i’s and dots the t’s.

Miami, Fla.

It’s not just beach lovers who flock to Florida in cold weather — millennials do too. The sunshine is nice, but young people are attracted to a happening scene with relatively affordable homes, where the median home price is $279,000, and job opportunities allow many to find employment in tourism, international trading and construction. While South Beach is known for its club scene, events like Art Basel Miami turn the entire city into a party. Up-and-coming neighborhoods like Little Haiti and North Miami are gaining interest from young buyers as they develop little by little.

San Francisco, Calif.

The cost of living in San Francisco is insanely high: The median rent for a one bedroom is $3,270, while the media price of a home is $849,000. But, the city is filling up with ambitious young tech folks who aren’t retiring anytime soon. The young vibe is found in hoodies, ping-pong tables and beer-stocked fridges at companies like Airbnb and Pinterest. It’s present in warehouse-turned-event spaces or company IPO parties, turning the whole city into an adult playground. Inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere from bus stations to streets. Millennials are hooked.

Houston, Texas

Good news for broke, recent college grads. A paycheck in Houston stretches further than in most metros as the average salary is $62,300, and the median home price is $310,000. Plus, Texas is one of the only seven states with no income tax. While you may find yourself fighting through Houston traffic, several master-planned communities in the suburbs mix residential homes with businesses, so you may not need to head downtown. Houston feels almost like an urban setting with restaurants, bars and shops. It’s a trend that’s going to take off quite soon.