| Kiplingers recently put together a list of great | | | | The capital of Texas, Austin is the state's |
| cities where one can find still find reasonable rents, | | | | fourth-largest city and the 16th largest in the |
| but that are not boring to live in. | | | | United States. The city was ranked as the #2 |
| While many young professionals aim to launch | | | | Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" according to |
| their careers in the mega-cities like Boston or | | | | Money magazine in 2006. A multitude of |
| New York, many may find satisfaction (and save | | | | graduates each year from the computer and |
| a lot of money) by looking beyond the | | | | science programs at The University of Texas at |
| better-known population centers. The five locales | | | | Austin provide a ready work-force of young, |
| listed below all have a cost of living that is at or | | | | talented, and driven employees that help to fuel |
| close to the national average for students and | | | | the city's technology and defense industries. |
| young wage earners: | | | | Where: Downtown, S. Austin Cost: 500-800 dollars |
| Athens | | | | a month for a one-bedroom apt., 700-1,200 dollars |
| The state-chartered University of Georgia is | | | | for a two-bedroom |
| located in this laid-back town and is responsible for | | | | Denver |
| its original founding and its subsequent growth. | | | | The Denver Metropolitan Area has more U.S. |
| The city offers free wireless 'net access | | | | government workers than any other such area |
| downtown, and the college and two local hospitals | | | | except for Washington, D.C. Among many |
| help ameliorate the citys unemployment rate. | | | | attractions are a good light-rail system and a |
| Where: Downtown, West side, Five Points Cost: | | | | top-20 ranking for free wireless hot spots. |
| 650-750 dollars a month for a one-bedroom apt., | | | | Where: W. Highland, LoDo, Highland Cost: 700-800 |
| or 750-850 dollars for a two-bedroom apt. | | | | dollars a month for a one-bedroom apartment, |
| Atlanta | | | | 900-1,200 dollars for a two-bedroom |
| Atlanta is the state hub and Georgia's most | | | | Minneapolis |
| populous city, as well as being the center of the | | | | The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis adjoins |
| ninth largest metropolitan area in America. It ranks | | | | Saint Paul, the state's capital. Availability of |
| fourth among U.S.A. cities for wireless Internet, | | | | wireless hot spots, transportation solutions, |
| and is ranked #3 in the number of Fortune 500 | | | | medical trials, university research and |
| companies headquartered in its metropolitan area, | | | | development expenditures, advanced degrees |
| behind New York City and Houston. | | | | held by the work force, and general conservation |
| Where: Midtown, Virginia Highlands, East Atlanta | | | | of energy are so far above the national average |
| Cost: 600-900 dollars a month for a one-bedroom | | | | that in 2005, Popular Science named Minneapolis |
| apartment, 800-1,350 dollars for a two-bedroom | | | | the "Top Tech City" in U.S.A. |
| Austin | | | | |