5 Affordable, Yet 'cool' Cities to Live in

Kiplingers Magazine recently published a list of U.S.Austin
cities where one can find still find affordable rents,The capital of Texas, Austin is the state's
but that are not boring to live in.fourth-largest city and the 16th largest in the
While many young college graduates aim to launchUnited States. The city was ranked as the #2
their careers in huge metropolitan areas likeBest Big City in "Best Places to Live" according to
Washington, DC or Los Angeles, many may findMoney magazine in 2006. Thousands of graduates
satisfaction (and save a lot of money) by lookingeach year from the computer and science
beyond the better-known population centers. Theprograms at The University of Texas at Austin
five locales listed below all have a growingprovide a steady source of young, talented, and
"under-30" population and solid job markets:driven employees that help to fuel the city's
Athenstechnology and defense industries.
The Univ. of Georgia is centered in this collegeWhere: South Austin, Downtown Cost: 500-800
town and is responsible for its original founding anddollars per month for a one-bedroom unit,
its subsequent growth. The city offers free700-1,200 dollars for a 2-bedroom
wireless 'net access downtown, and the universityDenver
and two regional hospitals help keep the city'sThe Denver Metropolitan Area has more federal
unemployment rate impressively low.workers than any other metropolitan area except
Where: Downtown, West side, Five Points Cost:for Washington, D.C. Among Denver's attractions
650-750 dollars per month for a one-bedroomare a good light-rail system and a top-20 ranking
apartment, or 750-850 dollars for a 2-bedroomfor free wireless hot spots.
unitWhere: Lower Downtown (LoDo), Highland, West
AtlantaHighland Cost: 700-800 dollars per month for a
Atlanta is the state hub and Georgia's mostone-bedroom apartment, 900-1,200 dollars for a
densely populated city, as well as being the center2-bedroom
of the ninth most populous metropolitan area inMinneapolis
the United States. It ranks fourth among U.S.The most populous city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is
cities for wireless hot spots, and ranks third in theadjacent to Saint Paul, the state's capital.
number of Fortune 500 companies located in itsAvailability of wireless hot spots, ease of
metropolitan area, behind New York City andtransportation, medical trials, expenditures on
Houston.university research, advanced degrees held by
Where: Midtown, Virginia Highlands, East Atlantathe work force, and energy conservation are so
Cost: 600-900 dollars per month for afar above the national average that in 2005,
one-bedroom apartment, 800-1,350 dollars for aPopular Science magazine named Minneapolis the
2-bedroom"Top Tech City" in U.S.A.