The Best Cities to Live in for Young Professionals in Ohio

The decision that a young professional person has to make concerning which city to reside in and begin to build a life can be quite daunting, but for those choosing the State of Ohio as home, the choices are clear. The best cities to live in for young professionals in Ohio are the larger ones - Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, simply because of the diversity they offer in all areas of life. Each of the aforementioned locations offers affordable housing in safe neighborhoods with reasonably abundant economic opportunities, good schools in most instances, and the ability for a young professional to embrace the local community and live a productive and enjoyable life.

Columbus, Ohio is the 16th largest city in the United States with a population of over 478,000, and the 32nd largest metropolitan area with a population of over 1,773,000. Columbus is a hub of commerce in the fields of insurance, banking, aviation and technology, and in terms of employment and advancement opportunities is a perfect match for young professionals. Home to The Ohio State University, Columbus is a great place for a young professional to pursue and advanced degree or just enjoy the amenities of a large academic community.

Cleveland, Ohio is the 40th largest city in the United States with a population of over 478,000, and the 23rd largest metropolitan area with a population of over 2,250,000. Although it has received a bad rap in the national media as a dying town in the Rustbelt, Cleveland still offers good opportunities for young professionals as home to corporate giants such as the Sherwin-Williams Company, Key Corporation, Forest City Enterprises, and the Cleveland Clinic. The academic community consisting of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University serves the needs of young professionals quite well.

Cincinnati, Ohio has a population of over 333,000, and is the 24th largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of over 2,155,000. Corporate leaders Proctor & Gamble, The Kroger Company, Macy's Inc., GE Aviation and the E.W. Scripps Company call "The Queen City" home, and professional opportunities are present.

Other excellent Ohio locations for young professionals to live in Ohio include Dayton, Toledo, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. Fortunately, the close proximity of Ohio cities is perfect for a young professional to partake of a "scouting" trip to spend a day examining the aspects of each community before reaching a decision on which location is a perfect fit.