It’s wedding season, and after tying the knot, many couples will want to get a fresh start in a new city. But deciding where to settle down as newlyweds can be extremely challenging.
To help them determine the best areas to live and work, Rent.com compiled a list of the top 10 cities for newlyweds.
“Although newlyweds often have strong ties to the areas in which they [grew up], live, or met, marriage is an opportunity for couples to set out on their own and forge a new life together,” says Kari Taylor, director of rental insights at Rent.com. “We know that quality of life is important as newlyweds look at where they can build the life they want and build a future for their family. This list gives newlyweds insight into many of the key factors that will dictate their decision.”
To compose the list, Rent.com looked at the number of married couples, the percentage of families with children under the age of six, average annual income, cost of living, and rental availability in 25 of the largest U.S. metro areas, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau.
In Pictures: The 10 Best Cities For Newlyweds
“Stress always accompanies starting any new chapter in your life,” Taylor says. “This list arms newly married couples with data to help them navigate one of life’s big decisions: where to plant roots and start their lives together.”
As it turns out, 38% of surveyed renters say that when they are (or were) newlyweds, job opportunities will dictate the city that they end up settling down in with their new partner.
“As newlyweds focus on putting down roots and building a nest egg for their future family, they’ll want to consider cities where the job opportunities provide a good income and the cost of living is manageable,” she says.
Here are the top 10 cities for newlyweds, according to Rent.com:
- Houston, Texas
- Seattle, Wash.
- Dallas, Texas
- Raleigh, N.C. – Rent.com says: “Come down South if you want to enjoy the sweet, seductive life that only this unhurried region can offer. More than 25% of children are under the age of six in Raleigh, for lots of options when it comes to finding friends for play dates and get-togethers. Get to know new families at the Marbles Kids Museum or try out the historic carousel and train at Pullen Park.”
- Washington, D.C.
- San Jose, Calif.
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- San Diego, Calif.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Tulsa, Okla.
What do all these cities have in common? “They all have rich cultural attractions, as well as lively nightlife and great restaurant scenes; most of them boast residents who earn above average median incomes, signaling that these areas possess strong job and financial opportunities; and some also have a lower cost of living relative to the national average, which means it could be easier to build that nest egg,” Taylor concludes.
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