Correction (Dec. 1 8:21 p.m.): Due to a reporting error, this story misstated that that the headquarters of the N.C. Healthcare System was located in Charlotte, N.C. There is no headquarters. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
Recent college graduates are increasingly choosing to move to cities like Raleigh and Charlotte instead of traditional post-college destinations.
The two N.C. metropolises are among several burgeoning cities attracting well-educated young adults at the expense of former hot spots, such as Los Angeles and Atlanta, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
They are seeking affordable cities with ample professional opportunities and a vibrant culture, said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy think tank.
Cities with technology-based industries are providing that, even in a recession, he said.
Cities that used to draw young adults are growing slowly while Midwestern manufacturing cities, which struggled even before the recession, are increasingly losing young adults to affordable areas with better economies, Frey said.
“Young people tend to want to go to where the action is,” he said.
N.C. emerges onto the scene
Raleigh and Charlotte are quickly becoming meccas for young professionals. Both boast diversified economies that have kept them afloat through the recession and have lower costs of living than urban centers such as New York.
Charlotte holds the headquarters of North Carolina’s health care system and maintains a large financial sector, said Julia Walton, director of member value at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
The energy and technology industries in both cities also are growing, particularly in Raleigh, which borders Research Triangle Park, said Connie Tucker, assistant executive director of Wake County Economic Development.
The Triangle’s many colleges and universities also bring the young and educated to Raleigh, Tucker said.
Projects to accommodate and attract population growth have increased the allure. Charlotte has installed a light rail system, built more housing, and cultivated an entertainment district uptown, Walton said.
Tucker said there are plans to allow more growth in Raleigh, which The Wall Street Journal named a top destination for young professionals after the recession.
“I think we’re going to come out from this recession even better than we were before,” Tucker said.
Other popular cities
Austin, Texas, also had an advantage during the recession — there was no housing bubble and plenty of land to grow, said Beverly Kerr, vice president of research at the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
Computer and green energy industries attract professionals of all ages, making it a top domestic migrant market, she said.
Growing companies also are drawing young adults to Portland, Ore., said Megan Doern, communications director at the Portland Business Alliance.
Nike, Adidas and Intel are three of the booming companies. A growing technology sector pads the job market, while the surroundings offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and a local beer and wine culture makes the city attractive.
“There’s a balanced approach to professional and personal life,” Doern said.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
