Several decades ago, the greatest
cities to work in the United States were obvious, classic choices – New York
City, Los Angeles, Chicago or Detroit. Times, however, have changed rapidly and
mercilessly. After the collapse of the banking system, the demise of print
media, and the bankruptcy of Motor City, these places are vulnerable to the
lure of more modern cities.
The tech revolution made San
Francisco and Silicon Valley the hottest places to live and work, and as these
companies expanded, states with lots of cheap real estate and low corporate
taxes came into favor, as crowded urban environments fell out. A top ten list
of America’s best cities to work in – in no particular order – demonstrates how
the changing trends of business have reshaped the definition of the ideal city
for work and play.
1.
Austin, Texas
Austin, the capital of Texas, is the
self-proclaimed live-music capital of the world, a surprisingly liberal college
city considered the Fertile Crescent of established tech companies – such as
IBM, AMD and Intel – as well as an incubator for fledgling startups. In
addition, the city’s housing costs, while higher than other cities in Texas,
are quite reasonable compared to the rest of the United States.
2.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee was once known as the city
of beer with its extensive brewing and manufacturing industries, but in recent
years the city has attracted major corporations, such as Harley-Davidson,
Johnson Controls and Kohl’s. In addition, the city boasts one of the most
well-preserved historical centers in America, and is situated on the coast of
picturesque Lake Michigan.
3.
Seattle, Washington
Often considered the cheaper and
rainier version of San Francisco, Seattle is a mecca for top talent in multiple
industries, and is home to top brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing,
Starbucks and Nintendo of America. The city’s liberal and progressive ideas and
close proximity to Vancouver and the serene islands of the Puget Sound make it
an ideal place to work and live.
4.
Salt Lake City, Utah
A surprising amount of businesses
have relocated to the Mormon capital of the west, Salt Lake City. Cheap real
estate, low living costs, labor costs, operating costs and taxes have all
attracted scores of businesses – which include Huntsman Corporation, eBay,
Unisys, 3M, Myriad Genetics and Kroger subsidiary Smith’s Food and Drug. A
large portion of the city’s economy is also dependent on the numerous ski
resorts nearby, which is also attractive to new hires to the area. Despite its
religious foundations, Salt Lake City is considered one of the most liberal
cities in the United States.
5.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is often referred to as a
ski resort or as a prominent location in spaghetti westerns. However, due to an
influx of hippies in the 1960s, the city has since transformed into “San
Francisco in the Rockies”, a liberal, educated city highly rated in health care,
quality of life, education and art. The city is powered by three main forces –
the highly ranked University of Colorado, federal research laboratories and
over 6,600 small businesses and corporations.
6.
Washington, D.C.
Nearly half of the country’s 25
richest countries are headquartered in the nation’s capital. The U.S.
government offers many jobs in the area, which offer a level of security and
benefits heads and shoulders above regular corporations. In addition, housing
costs are lower than New York City, and the area is steeped in history and
culture, a rarity in comparison to other younger cities.
7.
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester owes much of its existence
to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, a frontier hospital that evolved into one of
the nation’s leading medical institutions. As a result of its strong
reputation, the area attracts more medical professionals than any other major
metropolitan area, as well as other businesses in the medical field. Housing
costs are low, and the quality of life rating is high – and the city is
consistently featured in many “top ten” lists of best places to live in
America.
8.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is considered one of the
greenest and most eco-friendly cities in America, a venerable oasis untouched
by large multinational chains, bioengineered grops and grotesque power plants.
The city’s economic rise has been powered by a local-food movement in which
co-ops, city markets and local marketplaces have worked hand in hand to keep
the community self-sufficient. The city is also a major supporter of solar
power, and liberally uses Vermont-based groSolar’s panels atop its businesses.
In the next decade, the city should attract more local-food businesses as well
as green energy companies.
9.
Topeka, Kansas
The city, best known as Dorothy’s
(assumed) hometown in the Wizard of Oz, has certainly grown up over the past
decade. The capital of Kansas boasts a stable job market in which a fourth of
the city is employed by the government. In addition, low housing costs, good
healthcare and schools have all spurred a population spurt in the once tiny
city.
10.
Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Baton Rouge, along with the rest of
Louisiana, has bounced back with a vengeance since the dark days of Hurricane
Katrina. The capital city is expected to grow in digital media, biofuel
production, wood products and construction. The city is also expanding its
hospitals to boost the quality of its healthcare, and is expected to attract
more health industry jobs as well. In addition, housing costs are low and the
city’s classic casinos remain a draw for tourists.
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