Best States For 20-Somethings May Surprise You

Getty

There are certain, conventional meccas for young people. New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco all spring to mind as glamorous, even cliched destinations for 20-somethings -- places where quirky characters in cramped lofts desperately search for careers, love, and happiness.

But MoneyRate.com wanted to consider the question "with an open mind^[1] ." They looked at lifestyle and economic criteria like youth unemployment, the proportion of young people in a state's population, rental costs, high-speed internet availability, nightlife and fitness facilities, and created a list geared at "young people looking to get a strong start on their adult lives^[2] ."

So, for those rational 20-somethings willing to consider the real-life data, rather than the Hollywood version, we present to you the top 10 states to set up shop:

1. North Dakota

2. South Dakota

3. Nebraska

4. Montana

5. Iowa

6. Hawaii

7. Oklahoma

8. Lousiana

9. Massachusetts

10. Utah

Also on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow

• 
  

  Power Plant Operators

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $63,080 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 14,400 Work Experience: None On-The-Job Training: Long-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Fashion Designers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $64,530 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 6,700 Work Experience: None On-The-Job Training: Long-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Detectives And Criminal Investigators

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $68,820 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 30,100 Work Experience: 1 to 5 years On-The-Job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Supervisors Of Non-Retail Sales Workers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $68,880 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 123,500 Work Experience: More than 5 years On-The-Job Training: None

  
  


• 
  

  Power Distributors And Dispatchers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $68,900 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 3,600 Work Experience: None On-The-Job Training: Long-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Elevator Installers And Repairers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $70,910 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 8,200 Work Experience: None On-The-Job Training: Apprenticeship

  
  


• 
  

  Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $75,650 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 2,000 Work Experience: None On-The-Job Training: Long-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Administrative Services Managers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $77,890 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 99,800 Work Experience: 1 to 5 years On-The-Job Training: None

  
  


• 
  

  Supervisors Of Police And Detectives

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $78,260 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 38,700 Work Experience: 1 to 5 years On-The-Job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  
  


• 
  

  Transportation, Storage And Distribution Managers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $80,210 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 33,700 Work Experience: More than 5 years On-The-Job Training: None

  
  


• 
  

  Managers

  
  

  Median Annual Wage (May 2010): $96,450 Projected Job Openings (2010-2020): 249,400 Work Experience: 1 to 5 years On-The-Job Training: None

  
  

• Contribute to this Story:


• Send us a tip^[3]


• Send us a photo or video^[4]


• Suggest a correction^[5]

References

1. ^{^} with an open mind (www.money-rates.com)


2. ^{^} young people looking to get a strong start on their adult lives (www.money-rates.com)


3. ^{^} Send us a tip (www.huffingtonpost.com)


4. ^{^} Send us a photo or video (www.huffingtonpost.com)


5. ^{^} Suggest a correction (www.huffingtonpost.com)